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The First Melodrama
In the year 1800, Guilbert de Pixérécourt wrote Coelina, ou l’enfant de Mystère (Pallardy). Pixérécourt’s play was the first melodrama ever written. It was not until 1802 that Coelina, ou l’enfant de Mystère “was translated [into English] as A Tale of Mystery by Thomas Holcroft” (Pallardy). As the first melodrama ever written, A Tale of Mystery deserves a place in the history of theatre. https://www.britannica.com/art/melodrama -
Equestrian Drama
In the year of 1802, the first equestrian drama took place. This drama named La Fille Hussard, was performed at the Park Theatre in New York (Horse Properties International). Because horses needed to run in certain scenes, there were treadmills built into the stage. Equestrian drama is one example of machines made for theatre. For its impact on theatre, the first equestrian drama is an important part in the history of theatre. https://www.horsepropertiesinternational.com/hippodrama -
Alexandre Dumas
Alexander Dumas, born in 1802, was a "legendary writer of historical and adventure novels is one of the most widely read French authors of all time" (“Who Was Alexandre Dumas? Everything You Need to Know”). Dumas was self taught. His success with his articles and plays inspired him to write novels. Alexander Dumas is an important part of theatre because of his legendary works.
https://www.thefamouspeople.com/profiles/alexandre-dumas-654.php -
Aladdin and the Magic Lamp
"Aladdin and the Magic Lamp is the most famous story from the Arabian Nights collection of stories, also known as the 1,001 Nights." (Tearle). This play written in 1805, based on the book 1,001 Night, has become more popular in recent years because of the Disney movie adaptations. This play is an important part of theatre because it has stood the test of time and is still popular today.
https://interestingliterature.com/2021/05/aladdin-and-the-magic-lamp-summary-analysis/# -
First Gas Lighted Theatre
"Coal-gas was first used to light public areas of major London theatres in 1815" (Mills). Inspired by the city of London, the Lyceum Theatre became the first theatre to have a gas light stage .This event demonstrates the advancements made in technology and the shift from the Renaissance to the modern day. For its ingenious use of gas lights, the Lyceum Theatre has a place in the history of theatre.
https://www.vam.ac.uk/blog/museum-life/guest-post-the-first-gas-lit-stage -
Start of Well-Made Plays
"Well-made play, a type of play," was developed around 1825 by the French playwright Eugène Scribe" (“Eugène Scribe | Romanticism, Comedies, Librettist | Britannica”). A well-made play is a play that leads up to a climactic scene where information the audience knows is revealed to the protagonists. Often times, a well-made play is a mystery. Well-made plays are an important part of theatre history because it provides a suspenseful plot.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Eugene-Scribe -
Crime Melodrama
"The Innkeeper of Abbeville, or The Ostler and the Robber is a drama, in two acts by Edward Fitzball"(“The Innkeeper of Abbeville, or the Ostler and the Robber - ESAT”). This popular play, released in 1826, was the first crime melodrama. It includes crime and villainy from the protagonist. This event fueled the growth of melodrama and is an important part of theatre history. https://esat.sun.ac.za/index.php/The_Innkeeper_of_Abbeville,_or_The_Ostler_and_the_Robber -
Theatres Act of 1843
The Theatres Act of 1843 was a censorship act passed in England. This act "reinforced the Lord Chamberlains powers of censorship" (Stage Beauty). The act said that any new stage play and any additions to older plays must be sent to Lord Chamberlain for his approval before it can be performed. This act is a notable event in the history of theatre for its restriction of British theatre in the 1840s.
http://www.stagebeauty.net/th-frames.html?http&&&www.stagebeauty.net/th-censor.html -
A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol; or, Past, Present, and Future was "First staged on 5 February 1844 (Licensed by the Lord Chamberlain's Examiner of Plays on the 27th of January, 1844)" (Allingham). The play A Christmas Carol, which is based on Charles Dickens' book A Christmas Carol, in particular is a very popular Christmas classic. This play is an important part of theatre history and has left its mark on culture worldwide.
https://victorianweb.org/mt/adaptations/stirling4.html -
The Death of Guilbert de Pixérécourt
On July 7th, 1844 Guilbert de Pixérécourt died at the age of 71 (Guilbert de Pixérécourt | French Dramatist). Guilbert de Pixérécourt wrote the first melodrama, A Tale of Mystery. The article Guilbert de Pixérécourt | French Dramatist says "with his melodramas Pixérécourt started a theatrical tradition that survived throughout the 19th century." This event is an important part of theatre history and is a tribute to his great works. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Guilbert-de-Pixerecourt