Evolution of the 4th Wall?

Ch 10

Denis DiderotOctober 5, 1713 – July 31, 1784

Denis DiderotOctober 5, 1713 – July 31, 1784

• Europe adhered to neoclassicism, but new forms were evolving

• Diderot -chief editor of and contributor to the creation of the Encyclopédie

• wrote and championed new genre - drame– Middle class tragedy/domestic tragedy– A serious play that didn’t fit neoclassical definition

of tragedy

Diderot

• Wanted greater realism on stage– Acting and scenery

• "When you write or act, think no more of the audience than if it had never existed. Imagine a huge wall across the front of the stage, separating you from the audience, and behave exactly as if the curtain had never risen.“

• Developed the concept of the fourth wall

Diderot’s Paradox of Acting

• Best actor invoke strong emotions in an audience through calculation and craft, not by experiencing these emotions themselves

• The studied actor is better than the one who relies on inspiration and feeling the part

Dumesnil and Clairon

Dumesnil and Clairon

• Both actresses at Comedie Francais• Dumesnil 1713-1803 – natural abilities but

sometimes erratic. • Wore expensive contemporary fashions for all roles played. • Clairon – more studied actress• Interested in historical accuracy, • Less declamatory.

Acting in England• Rehearsal were about 3 hours a day for two

weeks• In England actors were mainly contracted,

rehearsals run by the actor-manager. • French actors in government theatres were part

of a sharing plan. Comedie Francaise was democratic, actors voted.

• Shows started at 5 or 6pm, a whole evening of entertainment (musical performance, full length play, entertainments between acts, afterpiece, sometimes a short one act.

James Quinn, actor (1693-1766)

Charles Macklin

David Garrick

• Started as an actor, played Richard III in 1741 in Goodman’s Fields, an unlicensed theatre.

• Noted for having a natural style, based his action on observation

Garrick

• Became actor-manager of Drury Lane• Made actors rehearse longer and to

performance standards• Established penalties for not following rules• Gave actors direction• Worked with designer and inventor Philip

James de Loutherbourg

Garrick

• Placed lights behind scenery• Introduced local color, did away with stock

scenery• Shortened the apron• Did not allow actors to use the stage doors• Removed seating on the stage

Johan Wolfgang von GoetheWeimar Court

• Rules for Actors• Stage German (RP in UK)• Oversaw staging and costumes• Believed in historical accuracy• Audience reactions should be limited to

applause or no applause.

Goethe’s Three Questions

• What was the artist trying to do?• Was he/she successful in doing it? • Was it worth doing?