Theatre Styles in Time

Neoclassiciism-France

Jan 1, 1644

Moliere writes his comedy about religious hypocrisy Tartuffe (1664) which was banned from being performed until 1666.

Theater Styles in History

Period: Jan 1, 1700 to Jan 13, 2011

Romanticism

Jan 1, 1827

Victor Hugo penned an early example of romantic drama with his play Cromwell (1827)
Image for modern romantic musical The Robber Bridegroom

Realism Begins

Jan 1, 1879

Henrik Ibsen (known as "the father of realism" writes "A Doll's House" 1879. Realism continues to be the dominant style in theater.

Naturalism Begins

Jan 13, 1888

August Strindberg writes "Miss Julie"

Symbolism Begins

Jan 1, 1891

Maurice Maeterlink writes "The Intruder" one of the first uses of Symbolism in a play text. Symbolism would slowly lose influence as a theater style

Expressionism emerged in Germany around 1910

Jan 1, 1910

New York Times Review of The Adding Machine

World War I Begins

Aug 1, 1914

Germany declares war on Russia

World War I ends

Nov 11, 1918

Germany surrenders

Surrealism

Jan 1, 1922

There are few pure examples of surrealism in drama. One early example is Vsevelod Meyerhold's The Magnificent Cuckold (1922).

theatricalism

Jan 1, 1938

Theeatricalism begain in 1938 with Thornton Wilder's Our Town

World War II begins

Sep 1, 1939

Germany invades Poland

World War II Ends

Sep 2, 1945

Japan signs surrender agreement

Absurdism

Jan 1, 1948

Beckett websiteWaiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett is one of the most famous absurdist plays.

Postmodernism

Jan 13, 1974

Robert Wilson's "A Letter for Queen Victoria" (1974) is a prime example of postmodernism although the beginnings of postmodernism is imprecise.