18th & 19th Century European Theatre: Goldoni, Vaudeville & Gogol
18th & 19th Century European Theatre
Carlo Goldoni (1707-1793)
From Law to Theatre: Carlo Goldoni abandoned his law profession to dedicate himself fully to the theatre. In 1748, he was hired in Venice to write for a theatre company. He later moved to Paris, where he worked as a tutor to princes while continuing to write for Italian and French actors.
Goldoni’s Poetics: Goldoni believed in creating a theatre of marvel and laughter, highlighting the ridiculous aspects of society without directly clashing with it. His prefaces often explained his views on theatre, revealing him as an author with strong literary opinions.
Reforming the Commedia dell’Arte: Goldoni aimed to reform the commedia dell’arte, finding its improvised scenes repetitive and predictable. He sought natural simplicity and believed in engaging the audience. He wanted to introduce more morality into his works, differentiating them from the commedia dell’arte. His characters gained individuality and spoke in their native languages, adding realism to his plays.
A Portrait of Society: Goldoni’s plays presented a portrait of his contemporary society, reflecting different social classes and their behaviors. He achieved a comic effect without resorting to ridicule. His reform efforts significantly impacted contemporary Italian theatre.
Notable Works:
- The Man of the World (1739)
- The Bankruptcy (1741)
- The Good Woman (1745)
- The Servant of Two Masters (1746)
- The Clever Widow
- The Summer Trilogy
- The Good Wife
- One of the Last Nights of Carnival (1764)
- The Innkeeper
- The Fan
- The Rustic
- The Coffee Shop
Vaudeville
A Comic Genre: Vaudeville was a comic theatre genre combining music and text to create a unified show. It became synonymous with light-hearted comedy. Professional theatre settings and witty dialogue aimed to provoke laughter from the audience.
Triumph in Paris: Vaudeville thrived in Paris, where playwrights collaborated with renowned musicians, resulting in increasingly daring and musically rich works.
Eugène Labiche (1815-1888)
Master of Vaudeville: Eugène Labiche dedicated himself exclusively to writing vaudevilles. He was influenced by Goldoni and became a leading innovator of the genre. He was eventually admitted to the French Academy.
Satire and Parody: Labiche achieved success through caricature, parody, and satire. He often used the audience as a theme, creating a mirrored stage where exaggerated situations were presented. The audience recognized the absurdity and identified with the critical voice.
Labiche’s Legacy: Today, Labiche’s vaudevilles are appreciated for their naive charm, absurd humor, and tender touch.
Notable Works:
- An Italian Straw Hat
- The Two Timid Souls
- Do You Have to Say Everything?
- La Belle Hélène (a musical parody of the Trojan War with music by Jacques Offenbach)
Nikolai Gogol (1809-1852)
Russian Theatre Under French Influence: During Gogol’s time, Russian theatre was dominated by French productions, including vaudevilles and romantic tragedies. Pushkin encouraged Gogol to create a national theatre that addressed Russia’s specific issues.
The Government Inspector
A Critique of Russian Society: Gogol wrote The Government Inspector as a means of contributing to the transformation of Russian society. He intended the play to expose the corruption prevalent during the Tsarist era.
Synopsis: The play takes place in a small town thrown into chaos by the rumor of an inspector arriving from the capital. The town’s officials scramble to cover up their misdeeds, resorting to bribery and deception. A penniless traveler is mistaken for the inspector, leading to further confusion and exposing the town’s hypocrisy.
Impact and Legacy: The Government Inspector caused a scandal but was well-received by Tsar Nicholas I. The play’s critique of the state and its power structures, along with its subtle suggestion of revolution, made it a groundbreaking work. Gogol’s prophetic vision extended beyond the scope of any previous playwright. The play features a collective protagonist representing Russian society as a whole.
Gogol’s Theatrical Contributions: Gogol was also an actor who sought to reform Russian theatre. He played the role of the governor in a production of The Government Inspector. He later focused on prose and poetry, leaving a lasting impact on Russian literature.