5.1 The development and characteristics of Expressionism

Expressionism shook up early 20th-century theatre, rejecting realism for raw emotion and inner turmoil. Born from social upheaval and war, it used distorted sets, harsh lighting, and exaggerated acting to portray the chaos of modern life.

This bold style influenced later movements like Epic Theatre and Theatre of the Absurd. Its legacy lives on in avant-garde productions, with directors still drawing on Expressionist techniques to create powerful, unsettling experiences for audiences.

Emergence of Expressionism

Social and Political Factors

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• Expressionism emerged in the early 20th century, primarily in Germany and Austria, as a reaction against the dominant artistic and cultural values of the time
• The rise of industrialization, urbanization, and the dehumanizing effects of modern society contributed to the development of Expressionism
• The horrors of World War I and the subsequent political and social upheavals in Europe further fueled the Expressionist movement

Artistic Influences and Themes

• Expressionist artists sought to break free from the constraints of realism and naturalism, focusing instead on subjective experience, emotion, and inner turmoil
• The influence of avant-garde artistic movements, such as Fauvism and Cubism, played a role in shaping the visual and stylistic elements of Expressionist theatre
• Expressionist playwrights, such as Georg Kaiser and Ernst Toller, explored themes of alienation, identity, and the human condition in their works

Characteristics of Expressionist Theatre

Visual Elements and Set Design

• Expressionist set design often featured distorted, fragmented, or abstract elements to reflect the inner psychological states of the characters and the chaotic nature of modern society
• The use of sharp angles, jagged lines, and exaggerated proportions in set design contributed to the unsettling and dreamlike atmosphere of Expressionist productions (The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari)
• Lighting in Expressionist theatre was used symbolically to create stark contrasts, eerie shadows, and vivid colors, reflecting the characters' emotional and psychological states
• The use of chiaroscuro lighting techniques, with strong contrasts between light and shadow, was a common feature of Expressionist stage design (Metropolis)

Acting and Performance Techniques

• Expressionist acting techniques emphasized exaggerated gestures, stylized movements, and heightened vocal delivery to convey intense emotions and psychological states
• Actors in Expressionist theatre often portrayed archetypal or symbolic characters rather than fully developed individuals, representing broader human experiences or social roles
• Sound and music in Expressionist productions were often dissonant, jarring, or discordant to heighten the sense of unease and emotional intensity (Erwartung)

Expressionism's Influence on Theatre

Impact on Epic Theatre

• Expressionism had a significant impact on the development of Epic Theatre, as pioneered by Bertolt Brecht, who incorporated Expressionist techniques into his own theatrical style
• The use of alienation effects (Verfremdungseffekt) in Epic Theatre, such as direct address to the audience and the disruption of theatrical illusion, can be traced back to Expressionist experimentation (Mother Courage and Her Children)

Influence on Avant-Garde and Experimental Theatre

• Expressionist theatre's emphasis on subjective experience and inner turmoil influenced the development of Theatre of the Absurd in the mid-20th century
• Playwrights such as Samuel Beckett and Eugene Ionesco explored the absurdity and meaninglessness of human existence, echoing Expressionist themes of alienation and psychological distress (Waiting for Godot, The Bald Soprano)
• The visual and stylistic elements of Expressionism, such as distorted set design and symbolic lighting, have been adopted and adapted by various avant-garde and experimental theatre practitioners throughout the 20th and 21st centuries (Robert Wilson, Pina Bausch)
• Expressionist acting techniques, with their emphasis on heightened physicality and emotional intensity, have influenced the development of various acting methods and training approaches, such as the work of Michael Chekhov and the Polish Laboratory Theatre (Jerzy Grotowski)