Guide To Realism In Theatre

We get used to watching movies on tv or even seeing shows live in the theatre and - regardless of how bad things get during the climax - there is almost always a happy ending. This leaves the audience with reconciled emotions. 

While it makes for a great show, it is not like real life, is it? Life is rarely sugar-coated with few great endings in which everything miraculously works out beautifully. There is not always a rainbow after a thunderstorm. Rather, life is full of ups and downs, some really great parts and some really raw and ugly parts. 

Realism in theatre is meant to show it all. 

What is Realism? 

Just like its name suggests, realism is about keeping it real. It is the portrayal of real-life - without any false ideals or opinions added in - and no beautification of the world during that point in time. 

Realism shows life as it is - no filter. 

The realism movement began in the mid-to-late 1800s. Shifts in society and the political climate were drawing people away from romanticism. The high-emotion, always a villain and a hero to save the day, just weren’t as appealing anymore. People were beginning to realize that there isn’t always a hero - and happy emotions aren’t always guaranteed. 

Henrik Isben, dubbed the “Father of Realism,” is a playwright who brought the ideas of realism to the theatre’s stage. He was famous for bringing real-life - including taboo topics - to crowds throughout Europe. 

Realism and realistic drama are still very much alive today. 

What Realism Looks Like On Stage

Because the idea behind realism is to keep things as real as possible, you won’t often find elaborate, imaginative sets with these performances. Instead, things are more life-like. Many times there are three walls visible in a home, for instance, with furniture, appliances, bookshelves, and things that are meant to make it look as real as possible. 

Anything that can be used to help make the portrayal of real-life on stage more real may be included on stage. 

What Productions are Classified as Realism?

There are 3 writers of realism that seem to get the most credit. These include the already-mentioned Henrik Isben, as well as George Bernard Shaw, and Anton Chekhov. Below are some of their most popular plays, touching on subjects like love, war, prostitution, sin, death, and more. 

Henrik Ibsen

Pillars of Society (1877)

A Doll’s House (1879)

Ghosts (1881)

Hedda Gabbler (1890)

George Bernard Shaw

Arms and the Man (1894)

Major Barbara (1905)

Pygmalion (1913)

Anton Chekhov

The Seagull (1898)

Three Sisters (1900)

The Cherry Orchard (1902)

Other famous plays that are considered part of the realism movement are: 

The Hunt by Thomas Vinterberg

The Last of the Mohicans by Michael Mann

Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller

The Pianist by Roman Polanski

The Lower Depths by Maxim Gorky

Learn More About the Theatre at The Forestburgh Playhouse

If you are interested in experiencing what theatre is like because you have never been or you are interested in exploring some new shows, you will find a great selection of current and upcoming performances at the Forestburgh Playhouse. After all, it is a 75th anniversary season celebration. 

The Forestburgh Playhouse first opened its doors in July 1947. And while it has changed quite a bit over the years, it has become a premier destination in the Sullivan County Catskills. 

For theatrical performances that never disappoint - get your tickets today.