Outline of Theatre - Styles of Theatre

Styles of Theatre

There are a variety of theatrical styles used in theatre and drama. These include

• Absurdism – presents a perspective that all human attempts at significance are illogical. Ultimate truth is chaos with little certainty. There is no necessity that need drive us.
• Expressionism – anti-realistic in seeing appearance as distorted and the truth lying within man. The outward appearance on stage can be distorted and unrealistic to portray an eternal truth.
• Melodrama – sentimental drama with musical underscoring, often with an unlikely plot that concerns the suffering of the good at the hands of evildoers but ends happily with good triumphant. Featuring stock characters such as the noble hero, the long-suffering damsel in distress, and the cold-blooded villain.
• Modernism – a broad concept that sees art, including theatre, as detached from life in a pure way and able to reflect on life critically.
• Naturalism – portraying life on stage with close attention to detail, based on observation of real life.
• Postmodern theatre – originated in Europe in the middle of the twentieth century out of the postmodern philosophy as a reaction against modernist theatre. Postmodern theatre raises questions rather than attempting to supply answers or definitive truth.
• Puppetry– an ancient form where performers/puppeteers manipulate performing objects. Puppetry has many variations and forms.
• Realism – portraying characters on stage that are close to real life, with realistic settings and staging.