This Learning Is All About a Different Style of Drama Called Melodrama! …….So What Is It All About?
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Melodrama Part 1 This learning is all about a different style of drama called Melodrama! …….so what is it all about?........ Melodrama LESSON ONE THE BACKGROUND What is melodrama? Melodrama was a form of Drama popular in 19th century. The word is a mixture of two words Melody and Drama The term originated from the early 19th-century French word mélodrame, which comes from the Ancient Greek words melos (music) and drān (to do or perform). When was melodrama popular? Although it originated in France, Melodrama moved across to England and was most popular during the 19th century. Queen Victoria loved the theatre and so it became a very popular form of entertainment at this time. Melodrama It was a type of theatre that TASK 1: appealed to EVERYONE not just the rich. A modern Find out three popular theatrical equivalent more facts about Melodrama today may be ‘pantomime’. THE characters Melodrama always uses TASK 2: the same characters. Research and write down the They are called ‘stock’ definition of stock characters. characters MEET THE CAST The villain • Characteristics: A scheming and evil person who usually captures the damsel in distress. He is sly and would often have a gesture such as twiddling his moustache! He may have a distinctive evil laugh. • Lines he might say: ‘She’s mine!’ ‘Prepare to meet your doom!’ ‘I will have my way’ The hero • Characteristics: • A charming and brave character who is seen as ‘good’. He is fearless and seen as a ‘gentleman’. He will do anything to rescue a damsel in distress. • Lines he might say: ‘Unhand the fair maiden.’ ‘Never fear dear lady.’ ‘take your hands off her’ ‘I will save you’ • The DAMSEL IN DISTRESS • Characteristics: • A feminine often helpless character. She would be usually poor but ladylike and pretty (both the hero and the villain love her). She is loyal to her parents and kind. • Lines she might say: ‘Help!’ ‘Let me go’ ‘My hero’ The loyal servant • This servant could be loyal to the Hero or the Villain Characteristics: • A simple character who is very loyal and will do anything to help their master. This could be a servant to the damsel and her family OR a sidekick for the villain or hero. They could a comic role • Lines they might say: ‘Yes master’ ‘How can I be of assistance’ ‘Your wish is my command’ The old parents Characteristics: • The old parent (s) of the damsel in distress. They are poor but kind and have good moral values. They are worried about money. • Lines they might say: ‘My dear child’ ‘We are penniless’ ‘We are forever in your debt’ characterisation Now you have met TASK 3: Find (or draw) a picture that the cast… shows what each character would look like! Presentation: Label the characters and any distinguishing traits Melodrama LESSON TWO THE STORYLINE Aims of melodrama Melodrama aimed to appeal to the emotions of the audience and take them on a journey of suspense and excitement. Melodrama productions used thrilling, sensational plots and familiar, recognisable characters. They were very dramatic and very popular! Typical Features Over the top acting style Extremes of emotion for characters (and for the audience) Extreme good vs. extreme evil – good always wins! Evil characters were often rich There was often chase or fight The damsel was tied to railway line Sensationalist plots with love, action, violence & thrills Basic plotline just one example! The hero and villain both love the same girl (damsel in distress) The Damsel is poor and lives with her old parent (s) – she loves the Hero They have a loyal servant They are very short on money The villain offers money to the old parents if they will agree to him marrying the damsel -they say no He kidnaps the Damsel (The villain may have a servant too) The hero rescues the Damsel from the villain The villain is defeated – the happy couple live Happily Ever after! The use of music Music was very important in Melodrama and was used to enhance the tension . It was also important in silent films of the era Click on the icon to listen to a typical sound track used in melodrama AN EXAMPLE This little clip is only for fun but captures the mood quite well https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwGusb6iHKc sCRIPT Now read the TASK 4: melodrama script for Write the Scene 5 which is final scene in the story scenes 1 – 4 keeping the melodrama style! Now upload your work Checklist of tasks to upload Task Activity TASK 4: Tick Write the Scene 5 which is 1 Find out three more interesting facts about Melodrama 2 Write down definition of stock characters final scene in the story 3 Drawings/collage of all the stock characters (with labels/descriptions) keeping the melodrama 4 Script of scene 5 style! .