Embedded Files
Form
Form
- originally, the stage action was accompanied by musical numbers, later a musical score
- originally, the stage action was accompanied by musical numbers, later a musical score
- music enhanced the stage action, tension, emotional tone, and suspense of the plot
- music enhanced the stage action, tension, emotional tone, and suspense of the plot
- comprised a series of incidents or episodes
- comprised a series of incidents or episodes
Since the basic pattern of melodrama is always much the same (good persecuted by evil, with the eventual triumph of good), variety was gained through such novelties as exotic locales, ever-more spectacular effects, increased realism, incorporation into the action of the latest inventions, and dramatizations of popular novels or notorious crimes (Brockett, O., The Essential Theatre)
Since the basic pattern of melodrama is always much the same (good persecuted by evil, with the eventual triumph of good), variety was gained through such novelties as exotic locales, ever-more spectacular effects, increased realism, incorporation into the action of the latest inventions, and dramatizations of popular novels or notorious crimes (Brockett, O., The Essential Theatre)
Plot
Plot
- moral tone with good triumphing over evil
- moral tone with good triumphing over evil
- full of suspense
- full of suspense
- ample tension
- ample tension
- horror
- horror
- mystery
- mystery
- climax at the end each act
- climax at the end each act
- evil characters punished
- evil characters punished
- good characters rewarded
- good characters rewarded
Devices / Conventions
Devices / Conventions
- use of the aside (not as strong as direct address, nevertheless empowering the audience with knowledge other characters were unaware of)
- use of the aside (not as strong as direct address, nevertheless empowering the audience with knowledge other characters were unaware of)
- concealed identity
- concealed identity
- musical score underpinning tension
- musical score underpinning tension
- abductions
- abductions
- disguise
- disguise
- song
- song
- codified gestures (specific gestures for certain reactions, recognised by the audience)
- codified gestures (specific gestures for certain reactions, recognised by the audience)
- audience interaction (getting them to boo the villain and cheer the hero)
- audience interaction (getting them to boo the villain and cheer the hero)
- mistaken identity
- mistaken identity
- dance
- dance
- dramatic tableau (brief freezes for dramatic effect to increase emotion)
- dramatic tableau (brief freezes for dramatic effect to increase emotion)
Staging
Staging
- key plot elements occurred on stage before the audience
- key plot elements occurred on stage before the audience
- spectacles (earthquakes, train crashes, explosions, burning buildings)
- spectacles (earthquakes, train crashes, explosions, burning buildings)
- sensationalism
- sensationalism
- excess
- excess
- sometimes 100+ cast members
- sometimes 100+ cast members
- horses on stage
- horses on stage
- moving panoramas (huge scenic backdrops) were an early 19th century invention that gave the impression of a horse race, for example
- moving panoramas (huge scenic backdrops) were an early 19th century invention that gave the impression of a horse race, for example
Realistic spectacle, thrilling effects, novelty, suspense, and the vindication of virtue were the major appeals of melodrama (Brocket, O., The Essential Theatre, p.171)
Realistic spectacle, thrilling effects, novelty, suspense, and the vindication of virtue were the major appeals of melodrama (Brocket, O., The Essential Theatre, p.171)
Report abuse