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Period: to
17th Century France/Neoclassicism (1600-1800)
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Pierre Corneille
Pierre Corneille was born in June 6th, 1606, in France. During his life, he was the king's counselor for twenty-two years. He written his first play before he was twenty, being first performed in 1629 in Rouen (Pierre Corneille para 3). From this, it turned to be a success as a playwright. One of the most popular plays he's written, known for tragedy, is Le Cid. It was known for "the best French drama of the 'classical' period in the 17th century" (Para 5). Corneille died October 1st, 1684. -
Molière
Molière was born in the year 1622, in Paris. However, Molière was not his given birth name, for he wanted "to spare his family from barrassment" (Moliere: Kennedy Center). His real name was Jean-Baptiste Poquelin. Molière in his life directed, performed as an actor, and was an playwright. He was known for creating a new form of comedy. "[T]he comic is based on a double vision that holds together opposing ideas, such as wisdom and folly or ight and wrong" (Molière). He died February 17th, 1673. -
Théâtre du Marais
In 1634, Théâtre du Marais was built, being fashioned from a tennis court. "This structure was in use until it burned in 1644, when it was replaced by a more elaborate building" (Gianni para 4). The new Marais was larger than the original. The theater, however, also had a rival before it came along--Hôtel du Bourgogne. Hôtel du Bourgogne noticed the newly redone Marais, then being re-mondled in 1647 in very similar style as Marais (Para 5). This more than likely shows how popular Marais was. -
Le Cid Changes View, Declaring Neoclassicism as the Dominant Mode in French Drama
Over a French Academy ruling disagreements on the play Le Cid, it declared neoclassicism as the dominant mode in French drama. (Brockett 137). "With Le Cid, Corneille," the creator of the play, "changed the form of the dramatic play, a transformation that was met with great applause not only from the audience but from the ruling monarch at the time, King Louis XIII of France." (Drama for Students para 1). -
Jean-Baptiste Racine
It was never said when Jean-Baptiste Racine was born. However, it is told he was baptized December 22nd, 1639, in France. He is known "his mastery of French classical tragedy" (Jean Racine para 1). In the article about Racine on Britannica, it stated his reputation rested on the plays he wrote (Para 1).There was only three ways to survive during his time as a writer: to attract a royal audience, obtain an ecclesiastical benefice, or compose for the theatre (Para 4). He died April 21st, 1699. -
The First Proscenium-arch Theatre
The first Proscenium-arch Theatre, known as the Palais-Royal, was the first theatre to have "movable scenery wings and a permanent proscenium arch" (Palais-Royal Theatre para 1). The theatre was created by Cardinal Richelieu, first opening with Jean Desmarets's production, Mirame, in 1641. After Richieu's death, the palace became royal property, only being used for courtly entertainments (Para 1). The theatre was burned to the ground in 1763. It was rebuilt, but only lasted till 1781. -
Gasoare Vugarani and the Jean Barains
Salle des Machines was built in 1660 by Gaspare Vigarani. Vigarani traveled from Italy to France to create Louis XIV "wedding gift." The theatre was "the largest theatre in Europe" (Developments in France and Spain para 2). The Jean Berains then took part in helping with theatre life. They created machines acts of the plays, and also created special effects. "After 1682 the influence of the court on public theatre declined" (Para 2). Plays in 1690 then were not encouraged, the King puritanical. -
Tartuffe Was Banned
Tartuffe was released in two different versions--1664 and 1669. This is because the first version was banned. No one knows what the original looked like, however. "Copies of Molèire’s 1664 script were banned, burned, and lost to history after leaders of the Catholic church condemned the comedy as an attack on religion" (A Note from the Dramaturg: Tartuffe para 1). After five years, the second version of Tartuffe was released, King Louis permitting it to be shown for public performance. -
Commedia Dell'arte Company
Commedia Dell'arte was originally made by the Italian, also known as Comédie-Italienne. The company spreaded to France "after 1680 to distinguish the commedia dell'arte from native French drama produced at the Comédie-Française" (Comédie-Italienne para 1). In France, the French companies with the English have many things in common. They're organized with the sharing plan, including ten to fifteen sharing members, as the rest are hired as actors, musicians, stage assistants, etc (Brockette 130). -
French Revolution Effects Theater
The French Revolution lasted for ten years, 1789-1799, and impacted the world immensely, including theater. "Theater and nation were closely entwined," however, due to the Revolution, government began to change as France expanded its borders (Age of Revolutions para 2). Theater arts were beginning to be censored. If a play were to be censored, it would be banned entirely, or it would rewritten, "[d]espite the “freedom of the theaters” in 1791" (Para 4).