chapter 11

John Philip Kemble- caused the “Old Price Riot” when he raised the price at London’s Covent Garden Theatre. An Actor- manager. Early nineteenth century, the most renowned classical actor. Trained for the priesthood but left to become an actor. 1783 made his London debut playing Hamlet. His grandeur onstage was sometimes seen as self-conscious and overly intellectual, but his perceptive character studies and self-discipline made dignified grace the standard to meet.

George Fredrick Cooke: 1756-1812George Fredrick Cooke was the first significant English Actor to tour the United States because alcoholism destroyed his reputation in Europe. His reputation depleted also because an African American, Ira Aldridge, became a touring star in Europe by 1825.

Georg II, duke of Saxe-Meiningen- believed to be one of the first modern directors. (1826-1914) described as an enlightened monarch, who had three marriages and an interest in the arts, his shows were known for their brilliant visual effects, unity, crowd scenes, and historical accuracy.

Edwin Booth: 19th century American actor, in 1869 he founded Booth's Theatre in New York, he also found The Players CLub in NY. Brother of John Wilkes Booth.

Ira Aldridge was an American stage actor who made his career largely on the London stage. He is the only actor of African American descent among the 33 actors of the English stage with bronze plaques at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre at Stratford upon-Avon. Aldridge's first professional acting experience was in the early 1820s with the company associated with the African Grove, where he debuted as Rolla in Pizzaro; he went on to play Shakespeare 's Romeo and later became a rather famous Hamlet.

Well-Made Play- Type of play popular in the 19th century and early 20th century which combined apparent plausibility of incident and surface realism with a tightly constructed and contrived plot.

William Charles Macready- (1973- 1873) Actor and director that made important innovations built upon David Garrick’s foundation. Made his debut in theatre at Covent Garden in The Disturbed Mother and continued to play villains in melodramas until he finally was cast as Richard III in 1819, allowing him to excel in tragic roles. He was a pioneer in realism and introduced the “Macready Pause”- pausing in the middle of lines to give the impression that the character is thinking. He directed at Covent Garden and Drury Lane and was one of the first to impose blocking on the actors and to have them actually act during rehearsal. His scenic elements were also united with the play through an image or theme that was carefully researched and elaborately executed. He expanded his company’s repertoire by having leading literary figures write for them and he was also one of the first the begin restoring Shakespearean texts. Macready’s rivalry with American actor Edwin Forrest led to the Astor Place Riot.

Romanticism: was influenced by the German "storm and stress" movement and was a revolutionary literary trend of the first half of the 19th century. Romantics rejected neoclassical rules, actually all artistic rules, thinking genius creates its own rules. They were more interested in creating mood and atmosphere than in developing believable plots or depth of character. They believed all subject matter was appropriate for the stage. They created heroes who were mostly social outcasts. Common theme was the chasm between the hero's spiritual aspiration and physical limitation. Most noted of the age: Goethe's Faust and Victor Hugo's Hernani.

Harriet Beecher Stowe: wrote "Uncle Tom's Cabin" which was adapted into a prime example of 19th cent. melodrama. The story reflected a significant social issue, abolition. The novel was successfully adapted to the stage by George L. Aiken. The black characters were played by white actors and depicted stereotypically.

Charles Darwin: Wrote On the Origin of Species (1859) which is his theory of evolution stating that animal species evolve through natural selection. Darwin's theory was revolutionary and controversial because it seemed to question traditional religious beliefs about creation, particularly the creation of humanity.

Combination company- In 19th century, a complete touring production, including supporting players, scenery and costumes.

Minstrel show- White performers that were made up as caricatured black.

Madam Vestris- Made major innovations in staging and made a profit as proprietor of the Olympic theatre. - daughter of London engravers. She has an excellent singing voice, admired for her beautiful figure, sparkling eyes, and dark hair. She opened up her Olympic theater with Olympic revels. She introduced the box set, dressed her settings with real properties, doorknobs, dishes, rugs.

Victor Hugo- a renowned poet, theorist, and novelist, and romantic dramatist; outlined the characteristics of romantic drama in an introduction to his play Cromwell. pg338

Hernani- a well noted romantic play written by Victor Hugo; caused a theater riot at it's premier in 1830; relates the story of a noble outlaw and his attempt to wed Dona Sol while facing the opposition of her guardian and the king, both of whom also love her. pg 338

Festspielhaus- an opera house in Bayreuth, Germany, which is dedicated to performances of Richard Wagner’s operas. Wagner directed operas here, putting his theory of “totally unified artwork” into practice.

Edwin Forrest: Noted for his portrayal of melodramatic characters. Partly responsible for the largest theatre riot ever to take place in the nineteenth century. The riot grew from a rivalry between Forrest, and American star and William Charles Macready, an English star. Forrest had made an unsuccessful English tour and blamed it's failure on Macready, whose style was more subtle and realistic. The riot that occurred ended with 22 people dead and many more wounded.

Sarah Siddons: one of the most renowned acting stars of the early ninteenth century. She was the sister to John Philip Kemble and was noted for her dignified, carefully planned, and detailed performances.

Moving Panorama-In the 19th century, a setting painted on cloth which was unrolled by spools to create an illusion of movement and changing locales.