DRAMA, THEATRE AND PERFORMANCE

Drama, Theatre and Performance

Drama, Theatre and Performance

Introduction

Theatre, deama and performance are directly related to each other is in a state of crisis, for one reason or another, financially and also from the point of view that theatre has in the 20th century outlived its usefulness. Both of these issues therefore make people question the place of theatre in modern society. In reply we must ask ourselves two questions finally, when did theatre and crisis not hand in hand?

Theatre survives because of its greatness, it is not just a performance, it is in its entirety the courage of its creators, and the hopes/expectations and delight to all who in the space of just a few hours are transported out of our chaotic pace of life and into the magical world of theatre. Theatre draws its reason for existence from its strength and diversion, its urbant human contact, its passion, its energy and its excitement. A world I am proud to belong to (Zarrilli 2006)

 

Drama, Theatre and Performance

Drama

Drama has revolutionized our era from the Romantic Period to the modern times with its vast developments over the years. Until the nineteenth century, most European playwrights "drew their tragic plots from ancient myths or legendary history" (Berggren 1). The choices of the dramatic subjects demonstrated that truly important things only happened to people with a high social status amongst society.

In the Romantic Period (1785-1830), interest in the experiences of ordinary people reached a peak with Romanticism. In Germany, romantic ideas emerged early with the major works of playwrights such as Gotthold Lessing, Friedrich von Schiller and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. The most noteworthy of the three, Schiller (1759-1805), "expanded the collection of theatrical plots by turning to the past for his subjects" (Berggren 3). At the peak of the Romantic period, many playwrights turned to neo-Shakespearean dramatic verse to write plays. These writers desired to explore philosophical issues in poetic dialogue that would have defeated believable acting before an audience. These plays were written to be read rather than performed and were known as closet dramas. Wordsworth, Shelley and Byron all wrote in this particular form. (Zarrilli 2006)

The playwrights of the nineteenth century produced plays that involved major innovations in technology as photographically accurate scene pictures could be mounted on stage. Also, the events of the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars greatly impacted drama. Playwrights of the mid-nineteenth century focused on "uniting long lost relatives, exposing a villain's true motives that would end in true love and virtue" ((Zarrilli 2006)). These themes set the stage for modern play developments.

Many playwrights of today have adapted these themes in their play developments by incorporating them into the plot and the roles of the characters. Perhaps the most theatrical form of drama was opera which is still popular in today's society. Broadway is certainly a sight that attracts thousands of people annually. In addition, the playwrights of today are striving to make the theatrical experience meaningful to the lives of viewers ...