What are the main features of the Theatre of Realism? [British Drama (2018-19) Assignment 2]

 The Theatre of Realism is a style of theatre that emerged in the 19th century in Europe, which aimed to present realistic and naturalistic representations of everyday life and human behavior. The main features of the Theatre of Realism are:

Representation of everyday life: The Theatre of Realism seeks to represent the everyday life of ordinary people, with a focus on the lives of the middle and lower classes. The settings and characters are drawn from contemporary society and represent a realistic portrayal of the world.

Reproduction of reality: The Theatre of Realism aims to create a believable and realistic illusion on stage. It strives to present a naturalistic portrayal of human behavior, with the characters speaking in natural language and engaging in realistic actions.

Psychological realism: The Theatre of Realism places a strong emphasis on the psychological aspects of the characters. It explores their inner lives, motivations, and emotions, and presents complex characters with internal conflicts and contradictions.

Rejection of melodrama and spectacle: The Theatre of Realism rejected the melodramatic and spectacular elements of earlier theatre forms, such as opera and melodrama. It focused on creating a believable and authentic portrayal of life, rather than relying on exaggerated emotion and spectacle.

Social criticism: The Theatre of Realism often used its realistic portrayals of society as a means of social critique. It highlighted the social and political issues of the time and sought to create social awareness and change.

Some notable playwrights associated with the Theatre of Realism include Henrik Ibsen, Anton Chekhov, and August Strindberg. The Theatre of Realism remains an influential style of theatre to this day and has had a significant impact on modern theatre and drama.