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Victorian Theatre. What were they like? . Theatres were very popular in the Victorian Era. Thousands of more workers in the city because of the Industrial Revolution. . Shows. Melodrama became popular in the 1780s to 1790s
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What were they like? • Theatres were very popular in the Victorian Era. • Thousands of more workers in the city because of the Industrial Revolution.
Shows • Melodrama became popular in the 1780s to 1790s • The first drama in Britain to be labeled a melodrama was, Thomas Holcroft's, “A Tale of Mystery” in 1802. • “The Importance of being Earnest”, was one of the most popular comedy in the Victorian Age.
Theatre Experience • The audience would eat, drink and talk throughout the performance • Theaters were open air and used natural light • Plays used very little scenery • Groundlings
Famous Theatres • Adelphi Theatre- Built in 1806, located on Adam Street. • The Britannia- Working class theatre built on the site of the Pimlico, an Elizabethan tavern. Located on High Street. • The Lyceum- Built in 1765 to house exhibits such as waxworks. Did not become a theatre until 1809, when Samuel Arnold, obtained permission to stage opera and other musical dramas, renamed it, The English Opera House. Staged many adaptations of Dickens’s novels.
Burlesque • Adaptation from the original into a comedy usually mocking the original, and often using quotes or music from the original. • In Burlesque the actresses would often play male roles, and the actors would play the female roles
Farce • A farce is a genre of comedy that is full of high-energy and very physical stage directions. • improbably events or coincidences. • The characters are often larger than life.
Oscar Wilde • Irish author whose works include plays, poetry, short stories, fairy tales, essays, and one novel. • He is well known for his wit and dialogue in his comedies. • Wilde was also a skilled storyteller, and many people who knew him claimed that his written works only scratched the surface of his creativity.
Gilbert and Sullivan • Theatrical partners • Gilbert is the librettist • Sullivan was the composer • Gilbert created topsy-turvy worlds while Sullivan created memorable melodies that were humorous • The pirates of Penzance • Had international success
Sports • Standard sports became boring • Victorian era brought a variety sports • Soccer, rugby, and lawn tennis • The Queen promoted horseback riding
Punch and Judy • 2 dolls that did little skits for people • Attracted many people • Made of carved wood, or paper Mache • Guignol means puppet • Toby the dog
Organ Grinder • Term for person who played the street organ • Of lower class • Some liked and some didn’t • Anyone who could play did it • Some would have partners
Magic Lantern • Type of projector • People would put on small scale shows • Featured mystical creatures • Person provided the soundtrack • Came in all sizes, very popular
Bibliography • http://www.library.illinois.edu/rbx/exhibitions/Victorian%20Entertainments/home/home.html • http://www.oldwoodtoys.com/punch_&_judy.htm • www.floraco.com/organs/history/ • http://www.magiclanternshows.com/filmhistory.htm • (1728-92), the brothers Robert, and James (1730-94) Adam from 1768.. "Theatres in Victorian London." The Victorian Web: An Overview. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2012. <http://www.victorianweb.org/mt/theaters/pva234.html>. • • "Lee Jackson - Dictionary of Victorian London - Victorian History - 19th Century London - Social History." Lee Jackson - Dictionary of Victorian London - Victorian History - 19th Century London - Social History. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2012. <http://www.victorianlondon.org/>. • • "The Victorian Period in England." UK travel and heritage - Britain Express UK travel guide. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2012. <http://www.britainexpress.com/History/Victorian_index.htm>. • • "Victoriana Site Map." Victoriana | Victorian Era Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2012. <http://www.victoriana.com/site_map
