The History Of 20th Century Theater

Modern day Theater hasn’t changed much from 20th Century Theater. However, European Theater is nothing like 20th Century American Theater. 20th Century Theater was greatly influenced by World War I, World War II, and the Great Depression. This caused lack of communication in families, which was shown in the play Landscape.

Since the 20th Century was such a large time span there was a lot that occurred, there were multiple wars and multiple new leaders that were appointed. The Triple Entente formed which was France, Britain, and Russia (Kulturafahrplan 462). At the beginning of the 20th Century Britain was the worlds most powerful Country (Encyclopedia). In 1911 King George V was crowned, but shortly after his coronation World War I started (Kulturafahrplan 466). World War II occurred approximately 1939-1945 (Encyclopedia). World War II left about 60 million people dead; all the allies that formed during the war were turning on each other (Kulturafahrplan 466). Europe was then divided by the Iron Curtain and the Berlin Wall (Kulturafahrplan 466). Other wars that occurred were the Cold War, the Korean War and the Vietnam War (Kulturafahrplan 466). Many new inventions were invented in the 20th Century also. Examples of this are the light bulb, the automobile, and the telephone (Encyclopedia).

Theater during the time of war is very difficult, especially when all of the products that are needed for theater were shipped off for war (Costume). During the war, the focus of textile production in London shifted (Costume). Costume making products such as cotton mills, silk, and wool were serving for the war (Costumes). The demand for those products caused fabric shortages and madness in the public market (Costume). Even though the pr...

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...n a marriage (Harold). A critic put it as “Nothing happens, but, much is explored” (Harold). The characters in Landscape are Beth and Duff, and it takes place in a farmhouse (Harold). Beth sits in an armchair on the left of the table while Duff sits at a chair on the opposite side of the table (Harold). There is no plot in Landscape; their focus is on the interaction or lack of interaction between the two characters (Harold). Beth is imagining back to a romantic time with another man or Duff, this is not made clear to the audience (Harold). Duff talks of more practical matters, and finally has a short outburst of anger as Beth continues her romantic fantasy as the play ends (Harold).

20th Century Theater was greatly influenced by World War I, World War II, and the Great Depression. This caused lack of communication in families which was shown in the play Landscape.