Information on impressionist theatre
SwinChild
was wondering if there is anybody out there with information on the topic.
All information welcome especially any names of impressionist play writers.
Please post all information to swinc...@hotmail.com
Simon Dunmore
(four as far as the second two are concerned), but have not yet come across
the expression (or genre) "impressionist theatre". The nearest I can get to
this is Odon von Horvath (I've missed out the accents in his name because I
suspect they won't transmit properly). He wrote (something like), "I don't
write plays; I write impressions". I've probably got the quote somewhat
wrong, but I know I've got the sense right.
The fact that you ask for "names of impressionist play writers" implies to
me that you've been 'wound up' by your teachers - anyway, they're called
'playwrights'.
Simon Dunmore
--
<http://www.btinternet.com/~simon.dunmore/>
David Lewis
<Simon....@btinternet.com> writes
>Ummm, I've been directing, reading and seeing plays for over three decades
>(four as far as the second two are concerned), but have not yet come across
>the expression (or genre) "impressionist theatre".
Like Simon, I too have not come across the term "impressionist" to
describe a genre of theatre. However, with Simon's reference to
Horvath, it got me thinking of other playwrights using the same kind of
theatrical devices - immediately springing to mind is Brecht, which then
leads me on to Beckett and Howard Barker. Now, whether these authors
can be categorised as "impressionist" I don't know. What I do know is
that they are often imitated but never equalled in quality. And yes,
throughout the ages there are other similar examples.
If you do get an answer from your tutor as to what is meant by
"impressionist" please share it with the rest of the group. At least it
will add to our knowledge - at best it will promote a lively discussion!
I wonder also whether or not you have misheard your tutor and he said,
"absurdist"? Now that is a genre of theatre that alway promotes debate!
--
David Lewis
postm...@nodanw.com
SwinChild
aparently Expressionist theatre. All I know so far is that it was inspired
by the art of the same title and was popular in Germany post WW1. I would be
thankful if you knew anything useful on this subject that you would be
willing to share and that also aplies to anyone else.
I would request that you send any information to swinc...@hotmail.com as
I will be unable to check the group for a couple of weeks.
Thanks again for trying.
James Swinburn
David Lewis
<swinc...@hotmail.com> writes
>Hi thanks for the attempt. I was apparently missinformed as the term is
>aparently Expressionist theatre. All I know so far is that it was inspired
>by the art of the same title and was popular in Germany post WW1. I would be
>thankful if you knew anything useful on this subject that you would be
>willing to share and that also aplies to anyone else.
The definition from Brewer's Theatre is:
Expressionism: A movement in the early 20th century theatre that sought
to replace REALISM with a type of psychological drama that expressed the
inner motivation of characters. It was foreshadowed in the works of
STRINDBERG at the turn of the century and in the grotesque plays of
Frank WEDEKIND. It continued to dominate the stage until the 1930s, when
playwrights took a renewed interest in realism.
Expressionism began with a reaction against realistic stage design, in
which scenic detail sometimes seemed to reduce the significance of the
actors. Realistic acting came under attack next: writers played down the
individualism of their characters, and W. B. YEATS went so far as to
hide his actors behind generalized masks.
Expressionism underwent its greatest development around 1910 in Germany,
in the works of Georg KAISER, Ernst TOLLER, and others; it also
influenced Brecht's development of EPIC THEATRE. In Britain such writers
as W. H. Auden and T. S. Eliot were influenced by the movement, as were
Thornton Wilder and Tennessee Williams in America.
Although pure expressionism went out of fashion before World War II,
many playwrights have found commercial success by mingling it with
realism; elements of expressionism can be found in the works of Harold
Pinter, Arthur Miller, Samuel Beckett, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Eugene
Ionesco.
I would also urge you to look at the work of Howard Barker - a
playwright very much underestimated IMHO.
--
David Lewis
postm...@nodanw.com