Modernism to Postmodernism Theatre Unit 5 Review: Expressionism & Strindberg in Theatre

Key Concepts and Origins

• Expressionism emerged in the early 20th century as a reaction against realism and naturalism in art and literature
• Originated in Germany and Austria, spreading to other parts of Europe and the United States
• Sought to express inner emotions, subjective experiences, and psychological states rather than depicting objective reality
  • Focused on the inner turmoil and angst of the human condition
  • Explored themes of alienation, anxiety, and the struggle for individuality in an increasingly mechanized world
• Influenced by the philosophies of Friedrich Nietzsche and Sigmund Freud
  • Nietzsche's concept of the "Übermensch" (superman) and the rejection of traditional morality
  • Freud's theories of the unconscious mind and the power of repressed desires and fears
• Drew inspiration from various artistic movements, including Symbolism, Fauvism, and Cubism
• Key figures in the development of Expressionism include August Strindberg, Frank Wedekind, and Ernst Toller

Historical Context

• Expressionism developed during a period of significant social, political, and cultural upheaval in Europe
• The Industrial Revolution led to rapid urbanization, mechanization, and the rise of mass society
  • Resulted in feelings of alienation, dehumanization, and a sense of loss of individuality
• World War I (1914-1918) had a profound impact on the movement
  • The brutality and senselessness of the war shattered traditional values and beliefs
  • Artists and writers sought to express the psychological trauma and existential crisis brought about by the war
• The Weimar Republic (1918-1933) in Germany provided a fertile ground for Expressionist experimentation
  • A period of political instability, economic turmoil, and cultural ferment
  • Allowed for greater artistic freedom and the exploration of taboo subjects
• The rise of fascism and Nazism in the 1930s led to the suppression and exile of many Expressionist artists

Characteristics of Expressionism

• Rejection of realism and the representation of objective reality
• Emphasis on subjective experience, emotions, and inner psychological states
• Distortion and exaggeration of form, color, and sound to convey intense emotions
  • Use of jagged lines, harsh angles, and discordant colors in visual arts
  • Use of atonal music, dissonance, and cacophony in musical compositions
• Fragmented and episodic narrative structures in literature and drama
  • Non-linear plotlines and the use of flashbacks, dream sequences, and stream of consciousness
• Archetypal characters representing universal human experiences and emotions
  • The use of symbolic and allegorical figures (the Father, the Mother, the Son, the Lover)
• Exploration of taboo subjects, such as sexuality, violence, and the darker aspects of the human psyche
• Use of heightened, poetic, and often abstract language to express inner states

Strindberg's Influence and Works

• August Strindberg (1849-1912) was a Swedish playwright, novelist, and essayist
• Considered a pioneer of modern drama and a precursor to Expressionism
• His later works, such as "The Ghost Sonata" (1907) and "The Dream Play" (1901), anticipated Expressionist techniques
  • Use of dream-like and surreal elements to explore the inner workings of the human mind
  • Rejection of traditional dramatic structure and the use of symbolic and archetypal characters
• Strindberg's themes of psychological conflict, sexual power struggles, and the battle between the sexes influenced Expressionist playwrights
• His use of autobiographical elements and the exploration of his own inner turmoil paved the way for Expressionist self-expression
• Key works by Strindberg that influenced Expressionism include:
  • "Miss Julie" (1888)
  • "The Father" (1887)
  • "A Dream Play" (1901)
  • "The Ghost Sonata" (1907)

Major Expressionist Playwrights and Plays

• Georg Kaiser (1878-1945)
  • "From Morn to Midnight" (1912)
  • "The Citizens of Calais" (1914)
  • "Gas" (1918)
• Ernst Toller (1893-1939)
  • "Transformation" (1919)
  • "Masses Man" (1921)
  • "Hinkemann" (1924)
• Reinhard Sorge (1892-1916)
  • "The Beggar" (1912)
• Walter Hasenclever (1890-1940)
  • "The Son" (1914)
  • "Humanity" (1918)
• Oskar Kokoschka (1886-1980)
  • "Murderer, Hope of Women" (1909)
• Elmer Rice (1892-1967)
  • "The Adding Machine" (1923)
• Eugene O'Neill (1888-1953)
  • "The Emperor Jones" (1920)
  • "The Hairy Ape" (1922)

Staging and Performance Techniques

• Expressionist theatre sought to create a total work of art (Gesamtkunstwerk) that integrated all aspects of the production
• Rejection of realistic sets and costumes in favor of abstract and symbolic designs
  • Use of stark, geometric shapes, angular lines, and exaggerated proportions
  • Incorporation of projections, lighting effects, and other multimedia elements
• Emphasis on the expressive power of the actor's body and voice
  • Stylized and exaggerated movements, gestures, and vocal delivery
  • Use of masks, makeup, and costumes to create archetypal or symbolic characters
• Innovative use of lighting and sound to create emotional atmospheres and psychological states
  • Harsh, contrasting, and colorful lighting to reflect inner turmoil
  • Discordant and atonal music, noise, and sound effects to heighten tension and unease
• Breaking of the fourth wall and direct address to the audience
  • Blurring the boundaries between the stage and the audience to create a sense of shared experience
• Incorporation of dance, pantomime, and other non-verbal forms of expression

Impact on Modern Theatre

• Expressionism paved the way for later avant-garde movements, such as Surrealism, Absurdism, and Epic Theatre
• Influenced the development of political theatre and the use of drama as a tool for social and political critique
  • Expressionist plays often addressed issues of class struggle, social injustice, and the dehumanizing effects of industrialization and war
• Contributed to the rise of director-centered theatre and the concept of the director as a creative visionary
  • Expressionist productions often relied on the strong interpretive vision of the director to unify all aspects of the performance
• Introduced new techniques and styles of acting that emphasized the psychological and emotional depth of characters
• Expanded the boundaries of what was considered acceptable subject matter for the stage
  • Explored taboo topics and the darker aspects of the human experience
• Influenced the development of film, particularly in the German Expressionist cinema of the 1920s (e.g., "The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari")

Critical Reception and Legacy

• Expressionism initially faced criticism and resistance from conservative audiences and critics
  • Seen as a radical departure from traditional forms of theatre and a challenge to bourgeois values
• However, it quickly gained popularity among younger audiences and progressive intellectuals
  • Appealed to those seeking new forms of artistic expression and social critique
• Expressionist plays and productions often sparked controversy and debate
  • Some works were censored or banned due to their provocative content and political themes
• The rise of Nazism in Germany led to the suppression and exile of many Expressionist artists
  • Many fled to the United States, where they continued to influence the development of American theatre
• Expressionism had a lasting impact on the theatre, even as it was superseded by other avant-garde movements
  • Its emphasis on subjective experience, psychological depth, and social critique continues to inform contemporary theatre practice
• Expressionist techniques and styles have been adapted and incorporated into various forms of modern and postmodern theatre
  • Can be seen in the work of playwrights such as Samuel Beckett, Harold Pinter, and Caryl Churchill
• Expressionism remains an important chapter in the history of modern theatre and a testament to the power of art to express the human condition in all its complexity and diversity