Introduction to the theatre of the eighteenth century

1. Introduction to the theatre of the eighteenth century

2. Theatres of the Ancien Regime One of the most popular and prestigious forms of entertainment Official theatres: l’Opéra & la ComédieFrançaise Semi-official theatres: les théâtres de la Foire & les théâtres du boulevard Private theatres

6. The public Annual income of 600 livres to afford going to the theatre A good manual worker earns at the top end 300 livres Performances started at 5pm, so before the end of the working day Théâtres de la foire more accessible

7. Spatial organisation Parterre Amphitheatre Loges Seats directly on the stage 1759: the stage is completely free of spectators Theatre becomes a visual experience

10. Tragedy in crisis Classical tragedy at the apex of literary genres Seventeenth-century theatre: Racine and Corneille La règle des troisunités: time, place, action ‘Qu’en un lieu, qu’en un jour, un seul fait accompli / Tiennejusqu’à la fin le théâtrerempli’ (Boileau) La règle de bienséance: no physical intimacy or violence ‘Cequ’on ne doit point voir, qu’unrécit nous l’expose:/ les yeux en le voyantsaisirontmieux la chose;/ Maisilest des objetsquel’artjudicieux / Doitoffrir à l’oreille et reculer des yeux’ (Boileau)

11. Tragedy in crisis Discovery of Shakespeare Theatre as a tribune Calls for making the tragedy more supple Voltaire, Diderot, Mercier

12. Theatre of the Revolution Plays linked to the political events Regeneration of the nation through theatre But not a regeneration of theatre itself ‘écolesprimaires pour adultes’