Theatre History B Final

What's a pleasure garden?

Ways to escape industrialism by attractions of walking paths, gardens, and fountains.

What genre did Eugene Scribe make and what are it's aspects? What play best represents that genre?

• Well made play.

• Aspects: Cause and effects. Lack of character depth. Secrets.

• A Glass of Water.

What kind of play is A Glass of Water?

A historical comedy.

Who was Steele MacKaye and what were his inventions?

• Actor, playwright, inventor, and designer.

• Invented: the folding chair.

What was Steele MacKaye’s association with acting styles?

• Introduced Delsarte's acting system.

• Focused on the internal and how to translate it emotionally.

Who wrote Woyzeck?

Georg Büchner.

What was the Robertson-Bancroft style?

Domestic realism.

Tell stories of contemporary life and take place in highly specific locales.

What are the various styles of traps?

The vampire trap, the Corsican trap and the star trap.

Who created realistic acting? What is it based on?

Delsarte.

It was based on science.

Who made the Book of Costume History?

August Racinet.

What's the process for costume design?

1. Director gives a summary of requirements.

2. Mockups created.

3. When they were approved they would formally start.

Who was Sarah Bernhardt and what were her views on women in theatre?

Most world famous actress in the late 19th century and the first woman to play Hamlet.

She believed women to be better than men in theatre.

What fictional character was best inspired by Henry Irving?

Dracula.

What famous character was William Gillette associated with?

Sherlock Holmes.

Which director was famous for including a “fourth wall?”

Adolphe Montigny.

What was the most iconic melodramatic moment in Under the Gaslight?

The railroad scene.

What were 1-2 design elements of the 5th Street Theatre?

No apron.

Chairs not benches.

Did the director gain more, less, or equal power during the 19th century?

More power during the 19th century.

Who was the first famous American Dramaturg?

Bronson Howard.

What would be a realistic detail be during the 19th century?

Accurate historical settings.

Did a melodrama never have a villain?

In normal melodramas no, in realistic melodramas maybe.

Who wrote the escape?

William Wells Brown.

Who wrote the octoroon?

Dion Boucicault.

Who wrote a glass of water?

George Scribe.

What are the aspects of the combination system?

A full touring production that was tied to entrepreneurship in that brought stars with them.

Who invented the American Titan?

Bronson Howard.

What was Fipps famous for doing?

He designed 40 theaters and made the apron shorter.

What were the specifications of the Madison square theater?

• Primative air conditioning with ice air.

• Intimate space for a theater.

• Orchestra pit in the proscenium arch.

• Lighting system dead by Thomas Edison.

Why did new realism favor intimate spaces?

An emphasis on realism in acting made intimate spaces more valued.

Who was the first English producer who elevated lighting?

Henry Irving.

Why did they get rid of the apron?

To have the actors behind the proscenium arch and make it seem more like the audience was witnessing the life of someone else.

Was it possible that people forgot Shakespeare and the popularity of melodrama?

No they didn't.

What is the star system and what was characteristic of it?

• Theater companies would often build around their stars.

• Supernumeraries, extras on stage to be around the star.

• The company would now be subject to the whim of the star.

What kind of theatrical event was Ben-Hur (Bend-Her)

A burlesque extravaganza.

What was the most produced play in America in the 19th century?

Uncle Tom's cabin.

What was the African company known for producing plays from what playwright?

William Wells Brown.

What musical review helped break minstrel stereotypes for black actors?

Creole shows.