🎭Dramaturgy Unit 8 – Early 20th Century Theatre: Modernism

Historical Context

• Emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a response to rapid industrialization, urbanization, and social change
• Influenced by scientific advancements (Darwin's theory of evolution, Freud's psychoanalysis) that challenged traditional beliefs and values
• Coincided with major historical events such as World War I (1914-1918) and the Russian Revolution (1917)
• Reflected a sense of disillusionment, fragmentation, and alienation in the aftermath of the war
• Sought to break away from the conventions of realism and naturalism that dominated 19th-century theatre
• Embraced experimentation, abstraction, and symbolism as means of exploring the human condition
• Challenged the notion of objective reality and emphasized subjective experience and inner consciousness

Key Figures and Movements

• Symbolism
  • Originated in France in the late 19th century
  • Emphasized the use of symbols, metaphors, and suggestive imagery to evoke emotions and ideas
  • Key figures: Maurice Maeterlinck, Alfred Jarry
• Expressionism
  • Emerged in Germany in the early 20th century
  • Sought to express inner emotions, anxieties, and subjective experiences through distorted and exaggerated forms
  • Key figures: Georg Kaiser, Ernst Toller, August Strindberg (early works)
• Surrealism
  • Developed in France in the 1920s
  • Explored the irrational, unconscious mind and the realm of dreams and fantasies
  • Key figures: André Breton, Antonin Artaud
• Epic Theatre
  • Pioneered by German playwright Bertolt Brecht in the 1920s and 1930s
  • Aimed to engage the audience's critical thinking and promote social and political awareness
  • Employed alienation techniques (Verfremdungseffekt) to disrupt emotional identification and encourage reflection

Characteristics of Modernist Theatre

• Rejection of realism and naturalism in favor of abstraction, symbolism, and experimentation
• Fragmented and non-linear narratives that challenged traditional plot structures
• Exploration of the subconscious, inner emotions, and psychological states of characters
• Use of poetic and highly stylized language to convey deeper meanings and evoke emotions
• Incorporation of avant-garde staging techniques, such as expressionistic sets, lighting, and sound effects
• Emphasis on the director's role as a creative force in shaping the overall production
• Blurring of boundaries between different art forms (theatre, dance, visual arts, music)
• Engagement with social, political, and philosophical issues of the time

Influential Plays and Playwrights

• "The Seagull" (1896) by Anton Chekhov
  • Pioneered the use of subtext and psychological realism
  • Influenced the development of modernist theatre
• "Ubu Roi" (1896) by Alfred Jarry
  • Considered a precursor to absurdist theatre
  • Employed grotesque and satirical elements to challenge bourgeois values
• "The Ghost Sonata" (1907) by August Strindberg
  • Exemplified the shift towards symbolism and expressionism in Strindberg's later works
  • Explored themes of guilt, secrets, and the illusion of reality
• "The Hairy Ape" (1922) by Eugene O'Neill
  • Blended expressionistic techniques with social commentary
  • Portrayed the alienation and dehumanization of the modern industrial world
• "The Threepenny Opera" (1928) by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill
  • Epitomized Brecht's epic theatre principles
  • Used popular music and satirical elements to critique capitalist society

Innovations in Staging and Design

• Rejection of the proscenium arch and the fourth wall in favor of more open and flexible stage configurations
• Use of abstract, minimalist, and symbolic sets to create a sense of mood and atmosphere
• Incorporation of expressionistic lighting techniques to convey emotions and psychological states
• Experimentation with non-realistic costumes and makeup to emphasize the symbolic and archetypal qualities of characters
• Integration of multimedia elements (projections, film, sound effects) to enhance the sensory experience
• Exploration of unconventional performance spaces (abandoned buildings, outdoor locations) to break away from traditional theatre venues
• Collaboration between directors, designers, and actors to create a unified artistic vision

Theoretical Foundations

• Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theories
  • Emphasized the role of the unconscious mind, repressed desires, and psychological conflicts in shaping human behavior
  • Influenced the exploration of inner states and the use of dream-like imagery in modernist theatre
• Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophy
  • Challenged traditional moral and religious values
  • Emphasized the concept of the "Übermensch" (superman) and the will to power
  • Influenced the portrayal of individualism and the rejection of societal norms in modernist plays
• Henri Bergson's concept of time and duration
  • Distinguished between clock time and subjective, inner time (durée)
  • Influenced the use of non-linear narratives and the exploration of memory and consciousness in modernist theatre
• Marxist theories
  • Analyzed the economic and social structures that shape human experience
  • Influenced the political and ideological dimensions of modernist theatre, particularly in Brecht's epic theatre

Impact on Performance Styles

• Emphasis on the actor's physicality and expressive movement to convey inner states and emotions
• Departure from naturalistic acting techniques in favor of more stylized and symbolic approaches
• Incorporation of dance, mime, and other non-verbal forms of expression
• Experimentation with vocal techniques (chanting, rhythmic speech) to create a sense of musicality and heightened language
• Collaboration between actors and directors to develop a shared vision and approach to the performance
• Blurring of boundaries between the performer and the audience, often through direct address or audience participation
• Emergence of ensemble-based acting companies that emphasized collective creation and experimentation

Legacy and Influence on Contemporary Theatre

• Paved the way for the development of various avant-garde and experimental theatre movements throughout the 20th century
• Influenced the works of playwrights such as Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter, and Tom Stoppard, who further explored the absurdist and existential themes of modernist theatre
• Inspired the rise of director-centered theatre, where the director's vision and interpretation became a central aspect of the production
• Contributed to the development of interdisciplinary and multimedia approaches to theatre-making
• Encouraged the exploration of marginalized voices and perspectives, laying the groundwork for the emergence of postcolonial, feminist, and queer theatre
• Continues to shape contemporary theatre practices, particularly in the realm of devised and collaborative theatre-making
• Remains a source of inspiration for theatre artists seeking to challenge conventions, experiment with form, and engage with pressing social and political issues