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Introduction :
The origin of the drama is deeply rooted in the religious nature of mankind. The same applies not only to English dramas, but also to dramas from other countries. Ancient Greek and Roman dramas mainly dealt with the religious ceremonies of the people. It was a religious element that led to the development of the drama. Most of the Bible is written in Latin, so the general public could not understand its meaning. For this reason, the priests found some new teaching methods and tried to explain the teachings of the Bible to the general public. To this end, they have developed a new way in which the gospel story is explained through living pictures. The cast recreated the story in a stupid show
Drama- A drama is a composition designed for a theater performance in which an actor acts as a character, performs a specified plot, and speaks out written dialogue.
The elements of drama are-
- Plot
- Characterization
- Dialogue
- Settings
- Stage directions
- Conflict
- Theme
History of English Drama
A drama is a literary work performed by a professional actor on the stage (or theater) in front of an audience. It’s about conflicts, actions, and specific topics. Impressive makeup, facial expressions and artist body language are the hallmarks of live performances. Although art forms exist in different countries, the drama deserves special mention in Britain because of its relationships with several legendary playwrights, including William Shakespeare. Read the following lines for interesting information about the history, background and origins of British theater.
Interesting Information on Background & Origin of English Drama
Emergence
The Romans introduced the drama to England in the Middle Ages. As for the land, many auditoriums were built for this artistic performance. Mummers’ play related to Morris dance became a popular street theater format during this period. The performance is based on the folk tales of St. George, Robin Hood and the Dragon. The artist went from town to town to play these folk tales. In return for their service, they received money and hospitality. The mysteries and moral plays at the medieval religious festival were Christian-themed.
English Renaissance
The English Renaissance, an English cultural and artistic movement that lasted from the 16th to the early 17th century, paved the way for the dominance of British drama. Queen Elizabeth, I ruled at a time when great poetry and drama were born. Notable playwrights of the time included William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Ben Johnson, and John Webster. Playwrights wrote plays on subjects such as history, comedy, and tragedy. While most playwrights specialize in only one subject, Shakespeare became an artist who created plays based on all three subjects.
Interregnum (1649-1660)
During the armistice, the Puritans closed British theaters for their religious and ideological reasons. However, in London the theaters reopened shortly after the “Reconstruction” in 1660. With the support of Prince Charles II, the theater continued to thrive. The writings of current playwrights and the appearance of professional actresses in dramas (previously all female characters were male) drew public attention. The Yushin in
Was an opportunity to incorporate new genres such as Yushin heroism and comedy into the drama. George Etheridge’s Fashionable Man (1676), William Wycherley’s Country Wife (1676), Aphra Behn’s the Tramp (1677), John Dryden’s All for Love (1677) and (AurengZebe) (1675), Thomas Otway’s Venice Preserved (1682) was one of the popular plays of the time. Sexual frankness was the highlight of the comedy during the recovery period. The aristocratic spirit of Prince Charles II and his court promoted such plays that began in 1660 and continued until 1685.
18th Century
The British Restoration comedy, which began in the late 17th century, declined with the advent of the 18th century. Family tragedy and sentimental comedy have become a new taste of this era. Burlesque and musical entertainment at the fair booth, which preceded the British music hall, flourished during this period, reducing the popularity of legal British theater.
Victorian Era (1837-1901)
During the Victorian era, plays written by Shakespeare competed with musical burlesques and comic operas. Reed Entertainment, a German company, tried to start a musical theater in England in 1855. In 1890, the first series of musical comedies of the Edwardian era were released in this country. With the development of public transportation, the audience moved, and now it is possible to go to the theater until late at night. The number of prospects for English theaters has increased significantly. As a result, performances in theaters began to become longer.
As time passed, more and more people began to visit the theater. This made drama a lucrative business. The increase in the audience led to an increase in the production value of the drama. This art form has recorded consistent performance as it grows in popularity. Towards the end of the Victorian era, the fame of the leading poets and playwrights of the time, W. S. Gilbert and Oscar Wilde, rose. The plays Wilde wrote closely resemble those of Edwardian playwrights such as George Bernard Shaw (Ireland) and Henrik Ibsen (Norway).
The Present Time
Many of the 20th century musical dramas were written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, who dominated the stage at the time. His work has been immensely popular. As a result, the drama went on Broadway in New York and around the world. Some of them have also been made into feature films. Postmodernism had a major impact on the existence of British drama at the end of the 20th century. However, there are still many theaters around Shaftesbury Avenue in West London. Based in Stratfordupon Avon (Shakespeare’s hometown), the Royal Shakespeare Company now produces most plays written by the legendary playwright.
Some famous english drama list
- Hamlet
- Macbeth
- King Lear
- Romeo and Juliet
- The Importance of Being Earnest
- Othello
- The Merchant of Venice
- Twelfth Night
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare is the father of English Drama. He wrote 18 comedies, 10 Tragedies and 10 Histories. Shakespeare’s era began in the 16th century in community theaters. He wrote for modern theater and manipulated the Elizabethan stage with great resourcefulness and ingenuity. William Shakespeare was an English playwright, poet and actor, considered by many to be the greatest writer in the English language and the greatest playwright in the world. He is often referred to as Britain’s national poet and “The Bard of Avon”.
Conclusion
A drama is a composition of poetry or prose performed on the stage, where the story is told through dialogue and action, accompanied by gestures, costumes, and settings as in real life. The origin of the drama is deeply rooted in the religious nature of mankind. The same applies not only to English dramas, but also to dramas from other countries. Ancient Greek and Roman dramas mainly dealt with the religious ceremonies of the people. There is no solid evidence of its origin. Many historians believe that the drama came to England in 1066 with the Norman Conquest. When the Romans were in England, they built a huge Amphitheater to perform some plays, but when they left the theater, they disappeared with them. The evolution of English drama builds a significant part of the history of English literature.
