As we all know, theatre has been part of this world since ancient times. From early Greek and Roman theatre to entertainment for medieval royalty; from Shakespeare’s famous plays to mid-20th century’s golden age. When someone refers to the theatre, we all think of a play with music, dancing, and constant movement all around. Well, it wasn’t always like that–believe it or not–but all they needed was a little push in the direction to change for the better.
Through time, the theatre industry progressed into new ideas that were not traditional. The most famous and successful plays worldwide are Shakespeare’s works. Shakespeare introduced a wide variety of genres and styles of theatre; however, he left a vast legacy of works that gave the world a whole new way expressing dialogue–almost a new language. William Shakespeare was born in 1564, at that time, theatre was an organized organization or company. No, at that time, it hardly existed “Troupes of actors roamed the countryside, performing in courtyards or in the great halls of noble houses…they lived precariously by presenting crude native tragedies, bawdy interludes, or adaptations of the classics, in exchange for a meal, a bed, or a few coins” (“Shakespeare’s”). Theatre became the thriving industry London was known of around the seventeenth century. Shakespeare’s style of theatre definitely made a significant statement, since he conveyed the visualization–mostly scenery or setting–of his plays through language instead with the usage of props, sets, or costumes (“Shakespeare’s”). In addition, Shakespeare created almost a whole new language that had an enormous impact in drama and the English language. His use of words presented compelling plots, complex characters, in different genre. His use of the soliloquy went beyond the conventional plot description to explore his characters’ thinking and state of mind” (Timmons).
(William)
As it is known, musicals were not always present. The very first performance to be considered a musical was a Broadway show that contained music, dancing, and had a complete plot–The Black Crook. The Black Crook was introduced in 1866, the play “ran for sixteen months, a tremendous success in the 1860’s” (“Musical”). The Black Crook revolutionized theatre and created an entirely new genre for theatre, which opened so many doors that lead to the development of American musicals (Kenrick). On the other hand, a play known by the name of Oklahoma!, is considered to be the “first fully integrated musical play, using every song and dance to develop the characters or the plot” (Kenrick). It is considered that Oklahoma! was the musical that marked the start of the “golden age” of Broadway musicals (“Musical”).
(Black)
(Oklahoma!)
There is one more play that created a big statement amongst theatre; it is the story we all know and love–Peter Pan. Peter Pan is a play that was written by Sir. J. M. Barrie (James Matthew Barrie), a famous, Scottish playwright and novelist. Barrie’s inspiration for his masterpiece, were the children of Sylvia Llewellyn Davies. The time he spent and the games he played with the Davies children are what, eventually, lead to the creation of Neverland, Peter Pan, Tinkerbell, Captain Hook, among others (“J.”). Barrie had written in 1928, “I suppose I always knew that I made Peter by rubbing the five of you violently together, as savages with two sticks produce a flame. That is all he is, the spark I got from you” (Norman). Once this play was presented, in 1904, it created a sense of security in one’s creative mind. Playwrights were encouraged to take more risks in what their plays were, meaning they could go outside their comfort zone.
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Black Crook – 1866. Digital image. Playbill. Playbill, 18 July 2016. Web. 30 Sept. 2016.
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Oklahoma! Digital image. Game-ost. Game-sot, n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2016.
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Norman. “Peter Pan Turns 100.” Smithsonian. Smithsonianmag, Dec. 2014. Web. 30 Sept.
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“Shakespeare’s Theater.” Brooklyn College. Academic Brooklyn Cuny, 12 Mar. 2009. Web. 30
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Timmons, Greg. “William Shakespeare’s 400th Anniversary: The Life & Legacy of The Bard.”
Bio. Biography, 21 Apr. 2016. Web. 30 Sept. 2016.
William Shakespeare. Digital image. MIT. Shakespeare Mit, n.d. Web. 30 Sept. 2016. Allen,
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