1. THE INDEPENDENT THEATRE MOVEMENT

2. Innovative plays by realists and naturalists appeared New drama and staging - isolated from each other Censorship for public plays Private “independent” theatres appeared Introduction

3. Andre Antoine (1858-1943) French actor, producer and manager Founder of the first independent theatre – Theatre Libre Produced Ibsen’s “Ghosts” and plays by Hauptmann, Strindberg, Bjornsen, Verga, de Curel, Becque, Brieux and Porto-Riche Revolutionized French acting and founded a new era of scene design

4. Otto Brahm (1856-1912) A German literally critic with a marked interest in theatre Founded the Freie Buhne theatre in 1889 in Berlin Main purpose- to further the work of new naturalistic playwrights Its first production was Ibsen’s “Ghosts” The first German play to be given was

5. George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) A gifted writer of comedy, Shaw concentrated on plays of social comment First play “Widowers’ House” (1892) Other of his plays: “Arms and the man”, “The Devils’ Disciple”, “Caesar and Cleopatra”, “Man and Superman” Brought new concepts to the English- speaking stage, especially those of Friedrich Nietzsche and Henri Bergson.

6. Reference: THE OXFORD COMPANION TO THE THEATRE THE HUMAN ART by Sam Simley THE ENJOYMENT OF THEATRE by K.M. Cameron and P.P. Gillespie