Year-8-Drama-Melodrama-Part-1-.pdf, Summaries of Theatre

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Melodrama Part

This learning is all about a different

style of drama called Melodrama!

…….so what is it all about?........

Melodrama

LESSON ONE

THE BACKGROUND

When was melodrama popular? Although it originated in France, Melodrama moved across to England and was most popular during the 19th century. Queen Victoria loved the theatre and so it became a very popular form of entertainment at this time.

Melodrama

TASK 1: Find out three more facts about Melodrama It was a type of theatre that appealed to EVERYONE not just the rich. A modern popular theatrical equivalent today may be ‘pantomime’.

MEET THE CAST

The villain

• Characteristics: A scheming and evil person who usually captures the damsel in distress. He is sly and would often have a gesture such as twiddling his moustache! He may have a distinctive evil laugh.
• Lines he might say: ‘She’s mine!’ ‘Prepare to meet your doom!’ ‘I will have my way’

The DAMSEL IN DISTRESS

• Characteristics:
• A feminine often helpless character. She would be usually poor but ladylike and pretty (both the hero and the villain love her). She is loyal to her parents and kind.
• Lines she might say: ‘Help!’ ‘Let me go’ ‘My hero’

The loyal servant

• This servant could be loyal to the Hero or the Villain Characteristics:
• A simple character who is very loyal and will do anything to help their master. This could be a servant to the damsel and her family OR a sidekick for the villain or hero. They could a comic role
• Lines they might say: ‘Yes master’ ‘How can I be of assistance’ ‘Your wish is my command’

characterisation Now you have met the cast…

TASK 3:

Find (or draw) a picture that shows what each character would look like! Presentation: Label the characters and any distinguishing traits

Melodrama

LESSON TWO

THE STORYLINE

Typical Features Over the top acting style Extremes of emotion for characters (and for the audience) Extreme good vs. extreme evil – good always wins! Evil characters were often rich There was often chase or fight The damsel was tied to railway line Sensationalist plots with love, action, violence & thrills

Basic plotline just one example! The hero and villain both love the same girl (damsel in distress) The Damsel is poor and lives with her old parent (s) – she loves the Hero They have a loyal servant They are very short on money The villain offers money to the old parents if they will agree to him marrying the damsel -they say no He kidnaps the Damsel (The villain may have a servant too) The hero rescues the Damsel from the villain The villain is defeated – the happy couple live Happily Ever after!

AN EXAMPLE

This little clip is only for fun but

captures the mood quite well

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwGusb6iHKc

sCRIPT

TASK 4: Write the Scene 5 which is final scene in the story keeping the melodrama style! Now read the melodrama script for scenes 1 – 4