Theatre History and Movements

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts from the history of theatre, including major movements, influential playwrights, and important works.

Theatre Libre

An influential theatre in Paris known for its commitment to realism, opened in 1887.

Moscow Art Theatre

Established in 1898, it played a crucial role in the development of realism in theatre, co-founded by Stanislavsky.

Impact of Naturalism

A theatrical approach that depicts life as it is, often focusing on social issues and psychological depth.

The Seagull

A play written by Anton Chekhov that expresses themes of love and the challenges of artistic creation.

Epic Theatre

A theatrical movement led by Bertolt Brecht, emphasizing the alienation effect to provoke critical thinking in the audience.

Theatre of Cruelty

Concept proposed by Antonin Artaud, focusing on shocking and provocative presentations to challenge the audience emotionally.

Absurdism

A literary movement stemming from existentialism, portraying the absurdity of human existence, as seen in works like Waiting for Godot.

Off-Broadway

Smaller theatrical productions in New York City outside of Broadway, often featuring experimental or avant-garde performances.

Fringe Theatre

An independent form of theater that includes experimental performances, often in unconventional spaces.

Dadaism

An art movement that rejected logic and embraced chaos and nonsense, emerging during and after World War I.

New theatres known for realism