Chapter 10

18th Century/ 1700’s Homogenous, self contained societies are disappearing, things are becoming more global Increase in manufacturing Increase in middle classes Age of enlightenment or simple the enlightenment. Increased exchange of knowledge and learning Increased demand and supply of dictionaries and encyclopedias.

What is “good” acting?

Rococo Art Antoine Watteau, Pierrot, 1718-1719

Denis Diderot Denis Diderot Drame– a serious play that did not fit the neo-classical idea of tragedy Ex. Middle class tragedy Domestic tragedy Rise in middle class plays reflected the rising middle class audience

More Diderot Actor’s Paradox Best actors invoke strong emotions in an audience by using calculation and craft, NOT by experiencing the emotions themselves. Strasberg wouldn’t agree

Diderot Wanted greater realism on stage Acting and scenery "When you write or act, think no more of the audience than if it had never existed. Imagine a huge wall across the front of the stage, separating you from the audience, and behave exactly as if the curtain had never risen.“ Developed the concept of the fourth wall

Diderot’s Fourth Wall An imaginary wall between the actor and the audience. Actor’s shouldn’t acknowledge the audience and the audience should not interfere with the actor

Diderot’s theories were (are) contraverisial Henry Irving Opposed Diderot 100 years later

Acting in England Rehearsal were about 3 hours a day for two weeks In England actors were mainly contracted, rehearsals run by the actor-manager. French actors in government theatres were part of a sharing plan. Comedie Francaise was democratic, actors voted. Shows started at 5 or 6pm, a whole evening of entertainment (musical performance, full length play, entertainments between acts, afterpiece, sometimes a short one act.

Dumesnil vs. Clairon

James Quinn, actor (1693-1766)

Charles Macklin

Charles Macklin

David Garrick Started as an actor, played Richard III in 1741 in Goodman’s Fields, an unlicensed theatre. Noted for having a natural style, based his action on observation

Garrick Became actor-manager of Drury Lane Made actors rehearse longer and to performance standards Established penalties for not following rules Gave actors direction Worked with designer and inventor Philip James de Loutherbourg

Garrick Placed lights behind scenery Introduced local color, did away with stock scenery Shortened the apron Did not allow actors to use the stage doors Removed seating on the stage

Johan Wolfgang von Goethe Weimar Court Rules for Actors Stage German (RP in UK) Oversaw staging and costumes Believed in historical accuracy Audience reactions should be limited to applause or no applause.

Goethe’s Three Questions What was the artist trying to do? Was he/she successful in doing it? Was it worth doing?

Carlo Goldoni and Carlo Gozzi Both were involved with writing commedia dell’arte plays Goldoni wanted more realism; moved commedia from scenarios to full scripts, discouraged masks and improvisation

Gozzi Theatre of the fabulous Commedia meets prose and poetry Planned in improvise actions Both were popular and were influential