2020thth Century Modern Century Modern1915-19451915-1945

Time of UnrestTime of Unrest World War I (1915-1918)World War I (1915-1918)

8.5 million deaths8.5 million deaths Russian revolution (1917)Russian revolution (1917)

Establishment of Soviet governmentEstablishment of Soviet government Inflation and Depression in Europe and AmericaInflation and Depression in Europe and America Rise of TotalitarianismRise of Totalitarianism

A form of government under which the individual is totally A form of government under which the individual is totally subservient to the state – dictatorssubservient to the state – dictators Adolf Hitler in GermanyAdolf Hitler in Germany Benito Mussolini in ItalyBenito Mussolini in Italy Francisco Franco in SpainFrancisco Franco in Spain Joseph Stalin in RussiaJoseph Stalin in Russia Prime Minister General Hideki Tojo in JapanPrime Minister General Hideki Tojo in Japan

FascismFascism Believed in dictatorial government and forcible suppression of Believed in dictatorial government and forcible suppression of

oppositionopposition Nation and race were more important than the individualNation and race were more important than the individual

Theatre of UnrestTheatre of Unrest

Theatre mirrored the general unrest of the worldTheatre mirrored the general unrest of the world Many movements defined by their political, social or Many movements defined by their political, social or

economic ideologieseconomic ideologies Artists rebelling against commercial theatreArtists rebelling against commercial theatre Artists rebelling against realismArtists rebelling against realism

ExpressionismExpressionism FuturismFuturism DadaDada SurrealismSurrealism Theatre of CrueltyTheatre of Cruelty Epic TheatreEpic Theatre

ExpressionismExpressionism Movement in art and literature in which the Movement in art and literature in which the

representation of reality is distorted to representation of reality is distorted to communicate inner feelingscommunicate inner feelings The goal of Expressionism was to evoke the The goal of Expressionism was to evoke the

subjective responses that the artist has to objects or subjective responses that the artist has to objects or events. events.

Expressionism did not attempt a realistic portrayal of Expressionism did not attempt a realistic portrayal of the world.the world.

The artist's response to the environment was so The artist's response to the environment was so intense that it affected the form of the artintense that it affected the form of the art

Surface elements are distorted or exaggerated by Surface elements are distorted or exaggerated by subjective pressuressubjective pressures

Expressionist painting tended to be vivid and violent, Expressionist painting tended to be vivid and violent, with jarring images.with jarring images.

Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh The Scream by Edward Munch

Expressionism in TheatreExpressionism in Theatre

Because we are losing our roots in nature and Because we are losing our roots in nature and agriculture, were losing our soulagriculture, were losing our soul We need to find an artistic way of expressing an inner We need to find an artistic way of expressing an inner

state and it has to involve our sense of loss over the state and it has to involve our sense of loss over the way in which we’ve been damaged and way in which we’ve been damaged and industrializationindustrialization

Often highly subjective – dramatic action as Often highly subjective – dramatic action as seen through the eyes of the protagonist and seen through the eyes of the protagonist and therefore seems distorted or dreamliketherefore seems distorted or dreamlike

Opposed to society and familyOpposed to society and family Protagonist journeys through a series of Protagonist journeys through a series of

incidents that are often not casually relatedincidents that are often not casually related

Structure of ExpressionismStructure of Expressionism

Characters are emblematicCharacters are emblematic Characters are not realistic characters, but Characters are not realistic characters, but

abstractions, symbolicabstractions, symbolic One main characterOne main character

A man (a cog, a gear, a wheel, a part of the A man (a cog, a gear, a wheel, a part of the industrialized society, one part of the machine)industrialized society, one part of the machine)

Disrupted spirituallyDisrupted spiritually Most often by a woman who represents spirituality, Most often by a woman who represents spirituality,

morality, virtuemorality, virtue ***Quest for the Spiritual Core******Quest for the Spiritual Core*** Protagonist is destroyed in the endProtagonist is destroyed in the end Everything is from the view of the protagonist – Everything is from the view of the protagonist –

world is skewedworld is skewed

The Hairy ApeThe Hairy Ape by Eugene O’Neill by Eugene O’Neill

The play tells the story of a brutish, The play tells the story of a brutish, unthinking laborer known as Yank, as unthinking laborer known as Yank, as he searches for a sense of belonging in he searches for a sense of belonging in a world controlled by the rich. a world controlled by the rich.

At first Yank feels secure as he stokes At first Yank feels secure as he stokes the engines of an oceanliner, and is the engines of an oceanliner, and is highly confident in his physical power highly confident in his physical power over the ship's engines. However, when over the ship's engines. However, when a weak but rich daughter of an a weak but rich daughter of an industrialist in the steel business refers industrialist in the steel business refers to him as a "filthy beast," Yank to him as a "filthy beast," Yank undergoes a crisis of identity. undergoes a crisis of identity. He leaves the ship and wanders into He leaves the ship and wanders into

Manhattan, only to find he does not Manhattan, only to find he does not belong anywhere; neither with the belong anywhere; neither with the socialites on Fifth Avenue, nor with the socialites on Fifth Avenue, nor with the labor organizers on the waterfront. labor organizers on the waterfront.

Finally he is reduced to seeking a Finally he is reduced to seeking a kindred being in the gorilla in the zoo kindred being in the gorilla in the zoo and dies in the animal's embrace.and dies in the animal's embrace.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919)The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1919)

Futurism (1905-1914)Futurism (1905-1914) The world is changing because of industrialization – the pace is The world is changing because of industrialization – the pace is

quicker, more violent, so let’s embrace itquicker, more violent, so let’s embrace it Celebrate noise, speed, violence, the clanking of machineryCelebrate noise, speed, violence, the clanking of machinery

““We will fight with all our might the fanatical, senseless and snobbish We will fight with all our might the fanatical, senseless and snobbish religion of the past, a religion encouraged by the vicious existence of religion of the past, a religion encouraged by the vicious existence of museums. We rebel against that spineless worshiping of old canvases, museums. We rebel against that spineless worshiping of old canvases, old statues and old bric-a-brac, against everything which is filthy and old statues and old bric-a-brac, against everything which is filthy and worm-ridden and corroded by time. We consider the habitual contempt worm-ridden and corroded by time. We consider the habitual contempt for everything which is young, new and burning with life to be unjust and for everything which is young, new and burning with life to be unjust and even criminal.even criminal.” ” – Umberto Boccioni in – Umberto Boccioni in Manifesto of Futurist Painters (1910) –Manifesto of Futurist Painters (1910) –

Every work of art should destroy the past and replace it with speed Every work of art should destroy the past and replace it with speed and energy and powerand energy and power

Celebrate masculine energy – blowing things up because it’s COOL!Celebrate masculine energy – blowing things up because it’s COOL! Very fast, very loud, an “assault upon the senses” and mock things Very fast, very loud, an “assault upon the senses” and mock things

from the past, anything to create noise and energyfrom the past, anything to create noise and energy

DadaDada They were opposed to everything – anti-artThey were opposed to everything – anti-art Was based on the principles of deliberate irrationality, Was based on the principles of deliberate irrationality,

anarchy, and cynicism and the rejection of laws of beauty anarchy, and cynicism and the rejection of laws of beauty and social organizationand social organization

Dada sought to fight art with art - For everything that art Dada sought to fight art with art - For everything that art stood for, Dada was to represent the oppositestood for, Dada was to represent the opposite

Where art was concerned with aesthetics, Dada ignored aestheticsWhere art was concerned with aesthetics, Dada ignored aesthetics If art were to have at least an implicit or latent message, Dada strove to If art were to have at least an implicit or latent message, Dada strove to

have no meaning — interpretation of Dada is dependent entirely on the have no meaning — interpretation of Dada is dependent entirely on the viewerviewer

If art is to appeal to sensibilities, Dada is to offendIf art is to appeal to sensibilities, Dada is to offend A Complete and utter rejection or rules, balance, harmony, A Complete and utter rejection or rules, balance, harmony,

logic, politics, responsibility, morality, religion – all systems logic, politics, responsibility, morality, religion – all systems have been proved pointless by WWIhave been proved pointless by WWI

They hoped to destroy traditional culture and aestheticsThey hoped to destroy traditional culture and aesthetics Seen in performance art – happenings – whatever happens, Seen in performance art – happenings – whatever happens,

happens and it becomes works of arthappens and it becomes works of art

Ms. Franklin’s Dada PlayMs. Franklin’s Dada Play Curtain rises to an empty stage. A man enters, pushing Curtain rises to an empty stage. A man enters, pushing

a chalkboard. He wears all white with a stethoscope a chalkboard. He wears all white with a stethoscope around his neck. He looks around and runs his around his neck. He looks around and runs his fingernails down the board. Then he exits. fingernails down the board. Then he exits.

He returns pushing a large fish tank that contains a He returns pushing a large fish tank that contains a mannequin. The man begins to dismember the mannequin. The man begins to dismember the mannequin, throwing the pieces around the stage. He mannequin, throwing the pieces around the stage. He takes the arm and runs the mannequin’s hand down the takes the arm and runs the mannequin’s hand down the chalkboard. Out of frustration, he throws it into the chalkboard. Out of frustration, he throws it into the audience. audience.

He takes the torso of the mannequin and holds the He takes the torso of the mannequin and holds the stethoscope to its “heart.” Polka music is heard. The stethoscope to its “heart.” Polka music is heard. The man then begins to dance the polka with the torso man then begins to dance the polka with the torso around the stage. The music stops abruptly and the around the stage. The music stops abruptly and the man drops the torso. Curtain.man drops the torso. Curtain. Problem with Dada: It has to turn into SOMETHING – turned Problem with Dada: It has to turn into SOMETHING – turned

into expressionism and surrealisminto expressionism and surrealism

Cut with a Kitchen Knife by Hannah Höch (1919)

Bicycle Wheel by Marcel Duchamp (1913)

Excerpt from a Dada ManifestoExcerpt from a Dada Manifesto You are all indicted; stand up! Stand up as you would for the You are all indicted; stand up! Stand up as you would for the

MarseillaiseMarseillaise or or God Save the KingGod Save the King........Dada alone does not smell: it is nothing, nothing, nothing.Dada alone does not smell: it is nothing, nothing, nothing.It is like your hopes: nothing.It is like your hopes: nothing.like your paradise: nothing.like your paradise: nothing.like your idols: nothing.like your idols: nothing.like your politicians: nothing.like your politicians: nothing.like your heroes: nothing.like your heroes: nothing.like your artists: nothing.like your artists: nothing.like your religions: nothing.like your religions: nothing.Hiss, shout, kick my teeth in, so what? I shall still tell you that you Hiss, shout, kick my teeth in, so what? I shall still tell you that you are half-wits. In three months my friends and I will be selling you our are half-wits. In three months my friends and I will be selling you our pictures for a few francs.pictures for a few francs. - - ((Manifeste cannibale dadaManifeste cannibale dada by Francis Picabia, read at the Dada by Francis Picabia, read at the Dada soirée at the Théâtre de la Maison de l'Oeuvre, Paris, 27 March soirée at the Théâtre de la Maison de l'Oeuvre, Paris, 27 March 1920.)1920.) - -

SurrealismSurrealism The subconscious was the highest plane of reality and attempted to The subconscious was the highest plane of reality and attempted to

re-create its workings dramaticallyre-create its workings dramatically Plays set in a dream world, mixing recognizable events with Plays set in a dream world, mixing recognizable events with

fantastic happeningsfantastic happenings Liberation of the human mind, and subsequent liberation of the Liberation of the human mind, and subsequent liberation of the

individual and society, can be achieved by exercising the individual and society, can be achieved by exercising the imaginative faculties of the "unconscious mind" to the attainment of imaginative faculties of the "unconscious mind" to the attainment of a dream-like state different from, or ultimately "truer" than, everyday a dream-like state different from, or ultimately "truer" than, everyday realityreality

Surrealists believe that this more truthful reality can bring about Surrealists believe that this more truthful reality can bring about personal, cultural, and social revolutionpersonal, cultural, and social revolution

Theatrical Surrealists declared the inner world of symbol the highest Theatrical Surrealists declared the inner world of symbol the highest plane of truth. Their focus was in bringing to dramatic life the plane of truth. Their focus was in bringing to dramatic life the deepest workings of the dream state, boldly melding fantastic deepest workings of the dream state, boldly melding fantastic elements within recognizable situations.elements within recognizable situations.

Surrealists tried to break the bonds of familiar reality with the Surrealists tried to break the bonds of familiar reality with the introduction of a theatrical form uninhibited by the restraints of the introduction of a theatrical form uninhibited by the restraints of the ego. ego.

Surrealist ThoughtSurrealist Thought

The subconscious is the real repository of truthThe subconscious is the real repository of truth The need to distinguish between the conscious The need to distinguish between the conscious

and the subconscious led to the exploration of and the subconscious led to the exploration of the conflict between the two in the belief that the conflict between the two in the belief that truthtruth is most apt to surface when the ego's is most apt to surface when the ego's "logic" and the superego's "censorship" have "logic" and the superego's "censorship" have been neutralized. been neutralized.

In moments of truth, life's contradictions and In moments of truth, life's contradictions and paradoxes are transcended. paradoxes are transcended. Truth and falsehood are aspects of the same thing.Truth and falsehood are aspects of the same thing.

The Persistence of Memory by Salvator Dali

Epic TheatreEpic Theatre Bertolt Brecht – Communist/Marxist and believed that all the Bertolt Brecht – Communist/Marxist and believed that all the

problems in the world were caused by private ownership of propertyproblems in the world were caused by private ownership of property Marxism – Based on the wish for equality and dislike of social classes Marxism – Based on the wish for equality and dislike of social classes

and the difference in wages between factory workers and owners, this and the difference in wages between factory workers and owners, this political theory said that the factories and farms should be owned by the political theory said that the factories and farms should be owned by the people. Government should be a dictatorship by the Communist Party. people. Government should be a dictatorship by the Communist Party. Communism would spread from country to country by revolution. When Communism would spread from country to country by revolution. When all countries were communist then nations and governments and all countries were communist then nations and governments and classes and possessions would not be needed. classes and possessions would not be needed.

Epic Theatre assumes that the purpose of a play, more than Epic Theatre assumes that the purpose of a play, more than entertainment or the imitation of reality, is to present ideas and invite entertainment or the imitation of reality, is to present ideas and invite the audience to make judgments on them. the audience to make judgments on them.

Characters are not intended to mimic real people, but to represent Characters are not intended to mimic real people, but to represent opposing sides of an argument, archetypes, or stereotypes. opposing sides of an argument, archetypes, or stereotypes.

The audience should always be aware that it is watching a play, and The audience should always be aware that it is watching a play, and should remain at an emotional distance from the action should remain at an emotional distance from the action

Epic Theatre ElementsEpic Theatre Elements

EntertainmentEntertainment Abstract, intellectual, robotic, unrealistic is wrong and Abstract, intellectual, robotic, unrealistic is wrong and

not enjoyable and funnot enjoyable and fun Artificial alienationArtificial alienation

Acknowledge at all times the artificiality of the piece; Acknowledge at all times the artificiality of the piece; set should be playful, cartoonish, fun, lighting should set should be playful, cartoonish, fun, lighting should be visible, anything to remind us that we are seeing be visible, anything to remind us that we are seeing an artificial, conscious creationan artificial, conscious creation

Series of competing emotional engagements – Series of competing emotional engagements – when you feel a normal response, Brecht throws when you feel a normal response, Brecht throws in an unusual feelingin an unusual feeling

Epic Theatre ElementsEpic Theatre Elements

MusicMusic Heightens emotional states – easier to communicate Heightens emotional states – easier to communicate

for the actorsfor the actors BRECHT DOES NOT DO THIS!BRECHT DOES NOT DO THIS!

Death scene with an upbeat tempoDeath scene with an upbeat tempo trying to ruin the conventional mood on purpose to evoke trying to ruin the conventional mood on purpose to evoke

changechange

HistoricismHistoricism Should take place in the past, in a time different than Should take place in the past, in a time different than

our era, to promote objectivityour era, to promote objectivity Watching a piece in an unconventional way – makes Watching a piece in an unconventional way – makes

the audience ask “Why is this wrong? Why is this not the audience ask “Why is this wrong? Why is this not good?”good?”

Epic Theatre ElementsEpic Theatre Elements

Episodic, non-causalEpisodic, non-causal Each scene for itself, doesn’t lead into each otherEach scene for itself, doesn’t lead into each other At times, it seems a little randomAt times, it seems a little random Announces scene’s title, labels, captions, so you focus on the Announces scene’s title, labels, captions, so you focus on the

why and not the howwhy and not the how

Gestus/Gestic Acting StyleGestus/Gestic Acting Style Acting that is built upon physicality, specific body languageActing that is built upon physicality, specific body language Building a character around a physical choiceBuilding a character around a physical choice Acting in epic theater requires actors to play characters Acting in epic theater requires actors to play characters

believably without convincing either the audience or themselves believably without convincing either the audience or themselves that they are truly the charactersthat they are truly the characters Actors often address the audience directly out of character Actors often address the audience directly out of character

("breaking the fourth wall") and play multiple roles("breaking the fourth wall") and play multiple roles

The Caucasian Chalk CircleThe Caucasian Chalk Circle During a civil war, the infant son of the During a civil war, the infant son of the

deposed governor is forgotten by his deposed governor is forgotten by his mother, Natella, in her haste to flee the mother, Natella, in her haste to flee the new regime with her wardrobe intact. The new regime with her wardrobe intact. The child, Michael, is rescued by Grusha, one child, Michael, is rescued by Grusha, one of the palace maids, and carried beyond of the palace maids, and carried beyond the mountains for protection. This proves the mountains for protection. This proves to be a deed of kindness filled with to be a deed of kindness filled with enormous risk for Grusha, who is enormous risk for Grusha, who is ultimately charged with kidnapping and ultimately charged with kidnapping and brought back to a court presided over by brought back to a court presided over by Azdak, a corrupt and drunken rascal of a Azdak, a corrupt and drunken rascal of a judge who devises a scheme to decide judge who devises a scheme to decide who should be awarded custody of the who should be awarded custody of the child; should he return to his actual child; should he return to his actual mother, who abandoned him, or to his mother, who abandoned him, or to his adopted mother, who loved and protected adopted mother, who loved and protected him? The judge chooses the selfless him? The judge chooses the selfless commitment of Grusha acting over the commitment of Grusha acting over the natural right of Natella, the selfish natural right of Natella, the selfish biological mother. biological mother.

Mother Courage and Her ChildrenMother Courage and Her Children It follows the fortunes of Anna It follows the fortunes of Anna

Fierling, nicknamed "Mother Fierling, nicknamed "Mother Courage," —a wily canteen Courage," —a wily canteen woman with the Swedish Army woman with the Swedish Army who is determined to make her who is determined to make her living from the war. Over the living from the war. Over the course of the play, she loses all course of the play, she loses all three of her children, Swiss three of her children, Swiss Cheese, Eilif, and Katrin, to the Cheese, Eilif, and Katrin, to the same war from which she sought same war from which she sought to profit. to profit.

His work attempts to show the His work attempts to show the dreadfulness of war and the idea dreadfulness of war and the idea that virtues are not rewarded in that virtues are not rewarded in corrupt times. He used an epic corrupt times. He used an epic structure so that the audience structure so that the audience focuses on the issues being focuses on the issues being displayed rather than getting displayed rather than getting involved with the characters and involved with the characters and emotions. emotions.