Global Theatre World theatre goes back more than 2000 years. Europe – Greek theatre, Roman, medieval, Renaissance, 18th and 19th century, to contemporary theatre Theatre in India began more than 2000 years ago Chinese theatre a little less than 2000 years, Japanese theatre established by 800 c.e. In other parts of the world, rituals similar to theatre, but did not developed into theatre Around 1900, Asian and other non European theatres were influenced by developments of modern theatre in the west – Realism, expressionism. The development of global exchanges in communication, ideas, commerce, and the arts. Diverse groups influence one another to create contemporary theatre Theatre artists cross national boundaries and tour to influence artists in other countries. International theatre festivals. Modern Asian theatre – India, China, and Japan in the Modern period Traditional theatres continue
Kathakali in India
Beijing (Peking) Opera in China
Nō theatre and Kabuki in Japan Began to be influenced by western theatre
Realism
Departures from realism (absurdist, expressionist, etc) However, there has been a political rejection of these forms of theatre as breaking down traditions India
Film became very popular
By Midcentury, WWII, led to a drop off of professional theatre.
Led to a rise in amateur theatre groups. Some put on professional quality productions
Keep alive plays written by Indian playwrights, past and present, as well as plays from other nations.
China after 1949
New works continue to be written
However, emphasis put on traditional forms of popular theatre.
1966 – cultural revolution – theatre – particularly spoken drama -was more restricted. Emphasis placed on dance dramas Heavy ideological or propagandist content
Following the death of Mao Zedong, China opened to the west. (late 1970’s)
Traditional forms have also become more popular
Merging traditional and western styles developed.
Japan since WWII – contemporary theatre has been healthy - 3 types Traditional theatre still healthy and vital Nō, Kabuki, and Bunraku Shingeki – “new theatre” More realistic Influenced by realism, such as Chekhov and Strindberg Banished the fantastic (gods etc) Playwright is central figure Avant-gard or experimental theatre Tadashi Suzuki – director-centered theatre, international in ideas, emphasis on ensemble playing, physical movement, and combining old and new.
Middle East Islam has strong prohibitions against theatre However, there is storytelling, folkloric and popular comic traditions. 1800 to 1900s influenced by Western dramatic techniques Early 1970s, Iran hosted a significant international theatre festival of avant gard artists – Peter Brook, Jerzy Grotowski, and Robert Wilson Many Arab theatre artist were highly nationalistic during this era and returned to traditional folk materials. In Jordan, the ministry of culture sponsored annual theatre festivals that bring together theatre artists from many parts of the Arab world. Palestinian theatre has existed since 1850. Isreali theatre has been developed since 1948.
Influenced by eastern European origins as well as Middle Eastern traditions.
Reflects the tumultuous history of the nation.
Dealt with the establishment of the state and nationalism.
African theatres and drama Performances were connected to ceremonies and rituals and used music, song, and dance. Colorful, exotic, symbolic costumes. th In the 20 century, Used traditional forms and subverted forms of popular western theatre in order to create works that reflect anticolonial struggles as well as attacks against totalitarian regimes. Can be divided into 3 areas
Portuguese-speaking Africa Initially had religious drama to spread Catholicism. After independence, focus was on arousing social consciousness, on political and social issues. French-Speaking Africa Influenced by traditional ritual and French theatre Plays usually focus on historical chronicles, social concerns, and political circumstances.
English-Speaking Africa Universities encouraged the work of dramatists and also organized traveling theatre groups. Influenced by traditional forms, popular theatre, and indigenous languages of the peoples. Concern for political and social equality is at the heart of the works of playwright Athol Fugard. Clearly represent the racial turmoil of South Africa during apartheid and after. Latin American theatre Realistic drama, experimental theatre, radical sociopolitical drama, and popular forms all existed and developed side by side. Many comedies written that dealt with unique local customs of each nation. Between World Wars, influenced by Surrealism and expressionism but often touched on nationalistic issues. Since WWII – theatre artists fuse popular styles of their peoples onto the modernist styles of modern western theatre, realism, expressionism, absurdism, and performance art. Europe and Great Britain National theatre – a theatre represents a country as a whole Receive subsidies from government Comedie Francaise in France. National theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company in Britain. European Directors Peter Brook – English Director/Producer Influenced by Artaud’s theatre of cruelty Cast that if from varied countries Peter Stein – German Director Postmodernist productions in which he reworked classical texts to heighted ideological statements that were inherent in them and to express his own political ideas. Yuri Lyubimov – Artisitic director of Taganka Theatre in Soviet Union
Home of experimentation and antirealistic work.
Under government scrutiny. Tadeusz Kantor – Polish director
Formed underground Independent theatre during Nazi occupation
1960’s staged happenings. Peter Zadek – German Director
Developed out of improvisations with his company Ariane Mnouchkine – French Director
Founded Avant garde Theatre du Soleil in Paris in 1964
Use of modern western drama styles and of nonwestern dramatic techniques – especially those of Japan and India Deborah Warner – English Director Reinterpreted texts so as to focus on feminist, gender, and other sociopolitical issues. Radu Afrim – Auteur Director from Romania Reinterprets classic texts to create extremely provocative theatre pieces German and Italian Dramatists Peter Handke – focus on shortcomings of language as a tool for communication and are surreal and symbolic in style Franz Xaver Kroetz-Stichomythic language and grotesque relationships Heiner Muller-wrote short plays with explosions of images ridiculing traditional values and institutions. Dario Fo – Satirical political comedies attack capitalist institutions. British Playwrights and Alternative theatres London has fringe theatre as an alternative to commercial theatre.
Mixing reality with theatrical techniques and fusing concerns of high art with techniques of popular art. Tom Stoppard – playwright emphasizing word play and intellectual concerns Irish playwrights – dramatize social, political and historical issues. A number of female English playwrights – Timberlake Wertenbaker, Caryl Churchill
Canada and Australia since WWII Before WWII – commercially developed theater that reflected national identity Also developed “little theatres” – presented noncommercial and often politically charged works. Post WWII, Regional theatres were established in Canada such as Stratford Shakespeare Festival. Both countries also developed avant-garde companies and theatres from the late 60’s through the present. Also present performance art and multimedia works. Summary Western theatre and Asian countries have traditional theatres that go back 2000 years With globalization, theatre has spread global-y as well as causing a mixing of various theatre traditions. There is even active theatre in Middle eastern countries.