1717thth Century Century French TheatreFrench Theatre

Neo-ClassicismNeo-Classicism

Neo-ClassicismNeo-ClassicismAfter 1625 French theatre After 1625 French theatre

began to grow and develop.began to grow and develop.The political climate in France The political climate in France was becoming more stable.was becoming more stable.

Previously, in the 1500s there Previously, in the 1500s there had been battles to fight had been battles to fight

during the Civil War, meaning during the Civil War, meaning little time and energy went little time and energy went

into theatre.into theatre.

King Louis 14King Louis 14

Cardinal Richelieu set out to reform the Cardinal Richelieu set out to reform the theatretheatre

He looked at what other European He looked at what other European countries were doing.countries were doing.

He adopted some ideas from these He adopted some ideas from these countries, especially Italy. This included countries, especially Italy. This included using a proscenium arch and sceneryusing a proscenium arch and scenery

He believed in an ideal of drama which He believed in an ideal of drama which became known as ‘neo-classical’became known as ‘neo-classical’

Neo-classical IdealsNeo-classical Ideals Neo-classical drama was very ordered Neo-classical drama was very ordered

and ideals or rules had to be followedand ideals or rules had to be followed Plays were either all tragedy or all Plays were either all tragedy or all

comedycomedy Tragedies: noble characters who were Tragedies: noble characters who were

based on royaltybased on royalty Comedies: ordinary, everyday peopleComedies: ordinary, everyday people The plays were written in 5 actsThe plays were written in 5 acts All action on stage took place within the All action on stage took place within the

same place and daysame place and day

The plot or storyline had to be simpleThe plot or storyline had to be simple The ending had to have a positive The ending had to have a positive

outcome, ie a happy endingoutcome, ie a happy ending Evil characters had to be punishedEvil characters had to be punished Good characters had to be rewardedGood characters had to be rewarded Plays that were performed in France Plays that were performed in France

and did NOT follow these neo-and did NOT follow these neo-classical guidelines were often classical guidelines were often disregarded or attackeddisregarded or attacked

The TheatresThe Theatres

The best places to perform these plays The best places to perform these plays was in a purpose built theatrewas in a purpose built theatre

These theatres had a proscenium archThese theatres had a proscenium arch In a proscenium arch theatre, the In a proscenium arch theatre, the

audience sits in front of the stageaudience sits in front of the stage The stage is framed within a border The stage is framed within a border

around the sides and across the top, around the sides and across the top, forming a picture frame effectforming a picture frame effect

When watching a play the audience When watching a play the audience was ‘looking into another world’was ‘looking into another world’

Proscenium arch stages became the Proscenium arch stages became the most popular form of stagemost popular form of stage

They are still popular todayThey are still popular today This sort of theatre is often referred This sort of theatre is often referred

to as ‘4to as ‘4thth wall’. Why? wall’. Why?

Famous Playwrights – Racine, Famous Playwrights – Racine, Corneille and MoliereCorneille and Moliere

Corneille and Racine were famous for Corneille and Racine were famous for their tragediestheir tragedies

Moliere (1622-1673)Moliere (1622-1673) Moliere was considered the Moliere was considered the

outstanding French playwright or the outstanding French playwright or the eraera

He wrote comediesHe wrote comedies Moliere had spent many years touring Moliere had spent many years touring

with his theatre companywith his theatre company

CorneilleCorneille

RacineRacine

MoliereMoliere

Moliere had spent many years Moliere had spent many years touring with his theatre companytouring with his theatre company

He learnt much from Commedia He learnt much from Commedia dell’arte troupesdell’arte troupes

Once established again in Paris, he Once established again in Paris, he worked at the Palais Royal Theatre worked at the Palais Royal Theatre with a variety of other companieswith a variety of other companies

Moliere ran his own companyMoliere ran his own company He also wrote the plays He also wrote the plays And acted in them!And acted in them!

French theatre companies like French theatre companies like Moliere’s were comprised of 10 – 20 Moliere’s were comprised of 10 – 20 membersmembers

This included musicians and This included musicians and backstage crewbackstage crew

Women actors were allowedWomen actors were allowed All profits were sharedAll profits were shared

TartuffeTartuffe

Tartuffe was one of Moliere’s most Tartuffe was one of Moliere’s most popular playspopular plays

It was religious satireIt was religious satire It attacked groups who spent their It attacked groups who spent their

time judging other people’s moralstime judging other people’s morals Tartuffe is still enjoyed todayTartuffe is still enjoyed today

Moliere’s whole life was theatreMoliere’s whole life was theatre His wife was an actress in his companyHis wife was an actress in his company Moliere wrote excellent female parts for her in Moliere wrote excellent female parts for her in

his playshis plays His company was immensely successfulHis company was immensely successful Moliere became very ill during a performance Moliere became very ill during a performance

of one of his plays “The Imaginary Invalid”of one of his plays “The Imaginary Invalid” He died only a few hours laterHe died only a few hours later His comedies were his greatest achievementsHis comedies were his greatest achievements

The StageThe Stage

The French adopted the proscenium The French adopted the proscenium arch stagearch stage

Fully indoor theatresFully indoor theatres

LightingLighting

Light was provided by candles and oil Light was provided by candles and oil lampslamps

Lighting included chandeliers and Lighting included chandeliers and footlightsfootlights

Audience lights were left on to help Audience lights were left on to help light up the stagelight up the stage

Lighting effects were very difficultLighting effects were very difficult Stage was not as well lit as todayStage was not as well lit as today

SceneryScenery

Simple and minimalSimple and minimal No scene changesNo scene changes Same settings used for many playsSame settings used for many plays Furniture and props were used sparinglyFurniture and props were used sparingly It was common for some audience to sit on It was common for some audience to sit on

stage!stage! On stage seating more expensiveOn stage seating more expensive Too disruptive and was abolished in the Too disruptive and was abolished in the

1750s1750s

The French ActorsThe French Actors

ProfessionalsProfessionals Earned their living from their craftEarned their living from their craft Companies had to make good money Companies had to make good money

just to survivejust to survive Shareholders bought shares or parts Shareholders bought shares or parts

in the companiesin the companies Shareholders were allowed to vote Shareholders were allowed to vote

on which plays were to be producedon which plays were to be produced

Each company had a set of plays it Each company had a set of plays it performed at different timesperformed at different times

Actors specialised in the type of role Actors specialised in the type of role they played, which were fairly they played, which were fairly stereotyped – bit like Commediastereotyped – bit like Commedia

Actors had to provide their own Actors had to provide their own costumes which was expensivecostumes which was expensive

Costumes were the contemporary Costumes were the contemporary dress of the timedress of the time