Early 20th century theatre saw a shift from realism to more experimental forms. Symbolism, Expressionism, and Epic Theatre emerged as reactions against naturalism, each offering unique approaches to storytelling and audience engagement.

These movements revolutionized theatre by exploring inner emotions, social issues, and political ideas. Their techniques and philosophies continue to influence modern theatre, pushing boundaries and challenging traditional narratives.

Symbolism in theatre

Origins and key characteristics

• Emerged in late 19th century as reaction against naturalism and realism
• Emphasized expression of ideas and emotions through symbolic means rather than literal representation
• Used suggestive imagery, dreamlike atmospheres, and abstract or mythical themes to evoke deeper meanings and spiritual truths
• Employed poetic language, musical elements, and stylized performances to create heightened sense of reality and explore subconscious mind
• Incorporated masks, puppetry, and ritualistic elements to create sense of mystery and transcendence, challenging audience perceptions of reality

Influential figures and works

• Maurice Maeterlinck contributed significantly to movement's development (The Blue Bird)
• August Strindberg explored symbolist techniques in later plays (A Dream Play)
• W.B. Yeats incorporated Celtic mythology and symbolism in his dramatic works (The Shadowy Waters)
• Influenced by philosophers and psychologists such as Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung
• Incorporated concepts of the unconscious and collective archetypes into theatrical works

Impact and legacy

• Extended beyond theatre, influencing various art forms (painting, poetry)
• Paved way for later avant-garde movements in 20th century (Surrealism, Theatre of the Absurd)
• Continued influence seen in use of non-literal and poetic elements in modern theatre productions
• Contributed to development of experimental staging techniques and non-traditional performance spaces

Expressionism in theatre

Core principles and techniques

• Emerged in early 20th century, primarily in Germany, as reaction against realism and naturalism
• Focused on inner emotional landscape of characters rather than external reality
• Employed distortion of reality and exaggeration of emotions to convey psychological states
• Used symbolic and abstract elements to express social critiques and universal human experiences
• Incorporated fragmented or episodic structures and non-linear narratives
• Featured archetypal characters representing broader societal issues or human conditions

Staging and performance elements

• Utilized stark, angular set designs to create sense of psychological intensity (The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari)
• Employed dramatic lighting effects to enhance emotional atmosphere
• Incorporated stylized acting techniques to convey heightened emotional states
• Integrated elements of dance, mime, and non-verbal communication to express ideas beyond spoken language
• Often featured minimalist or abstract stage designs to focus attention on characters' inner turmoil

Key figures and cultural impact

• Ernst Toller explored themes of war and revolution (Transformation)
• Georg Kaiser examined alienation in modern society (From Morning to Midnight)
• Eugene O'Neill incorporated expressionist techniques in American theatre (The Hairy Ape)
• Influenced development of German Expressionist cinema (Metropolis)
• Later impacted film noir genre, extending expressionist aesthetics to cinema

Epic Theatre

Concept and purpose

• Developed by German playwright Bertolt Brecht in 1920s and 1930s
• Aimed to create theatre that engaged audiences intellectually and promoted social and political change
• Centered on concept of Verfremdungseffekt, or alienation effect, to prevent emotional identification with characters
• Encouraged critical thinking about social issues presented in plays
• Utilized episodic structure rather than traditional dramatic arc to allow for analytical approach to storytelling
• Promoted audience reflection between scenes and after performances

Techniques and elements

• Employed direct address to audience to break fourth wall
• Used narrators or commentators to provide context and analysis
• Incorporated visible stage machinery and lighting to remind audience of theatrical artifice
• Featured actors switching roles or stepping out of character to disrupt emotional engagement
• Utilized placards, projections, and other visual aids to provide context or commentary
• Integrated music and songs, often composed by collaborators like Kurt Weill, to comment on action rather than enhance emotional engagement
• Applied theory of Gestus, emphasizing social attitudes embodied in characters' actions and relationships

Social and political impact

• Inspired social and political awareness among audiences
• Encouraged questioning of societal norms and power structures
• Promoted active engagement with real-world issues beyond theatre
• Influenced development of politically engaged theatre practices globally
• Continues to inspire socially conscious theatre productions and performance art

Symbolism vs Expressionism vs Epic Theatre

Artistic approaches and goals

• All three movements emerged as reactions against realism and naturalism
• Symbolism evoked spiritual and emotional truths through suggestive imagery and poetic language (Maeterlinck's Pelléas and Mélisande)
• Expressionism emphasized inner psychological states through distortion and exaggeration (Strindberg's The Ghost Sonata)
• Epic Theatre engaged audiences intellectually to promote social change through alienation techniques (Brecht's Mother Courage and Her Children)

Staging and design elements

• Non-realistic staging common to all three styles, but with different purposes
• Symbolist theatre created dreamlike atmospheres with ritualistic elements (Yeats's At the Hawk's Well)
• Expressionist productions used stark, angular sets and dramatic lighting (The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari)
• Epic Theatre utilized visible stage machinery and placards to highlight performance artificiality (The Threepenny Opera)

Character representation and audience relationship

• Symbolist characters often embodied abstract ideas or archetypal figures (Maeterlinck's The Blind)
• Expressionist characters frequently exaggerated human psychology (Kaiser's From Morning to Midnight)
• Epic Theatre characters presented as social types rather than individuals (Brecht's The Caucasian Chalk Circle)
• Symbolism sought transcendent audience experience through suggestion and atmosphere
• Expressionism aimed to provoke strong emotional responses and identification with characters' inner turmoil
• Epic Theatre deliberately prevented emotional identification, encouraging critical distance and intellectual engagement

Influence and legacy

• Symbolism's impact seen in use of poetic and non-literal elements in modern theatre (Beckett's Waiting for Godot)
• Expressionism's influence extends to various forms of avant-garde theatre and performance art (Living Theatre)
• Epic Theatre's techniques continue to be employed in politically engaged and socially conscious theatre productions (Augusto Boal's Theatre of the Oppressed)
• All three movements contributed to expansion of theatrical possibilities and experimentation in 20th and 21st century theatre