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Differences Between Melodrama Parody and Farce

Melodrama is a dramatic form that exaggerates emotion and emphasizes plot over characterization. It was a popular style of acting in 19th century Victorian theater known as morality plays depicting the battle of good versus evil without religion. Melodrama shows typically featured a keyboardist who led the audience in songs between scenes and acts called the olio consisting of musical numbers, dances, jokes and talents. The three main characters are the moral, brave hero; the sneering, lurking villain; and the innocent, pure heroine. Melodrama plays were performed with a detuned upright piano in a proscenium arch theater using stage conventions like characters speaking directly to the audience.

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2K views2 pages

Differences Between Melodrama Parody and Farce

Melodrama is a dramatic form that exaggerates emotion and emphasizes plot over characterization. It was a popular style of acting in 19th century Victorian theater known as morality plays depicting the battle of good versus evil without religion. Melodrama shows typically featured a keyboardist who led the audience in songs between scenes and acts called the olio consisting of musical numbers, dances, jokes and talents. The three main characters are the moral, brave hero; the sneering, lurking villain; and the innocent, pure heroine. Melodrama plays were performed with a detuned upright piano in a proscenium arch theater using stage conventions like characters speaking directly to the audience.

Uploaded by

Marco Zuo Song
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Melodrama

A dramatic form that does not observe the laws of cause and effect
exaggerates emotion
Emphasises plot or action at the expense of characterization
Melodrama = Music + Drama

History of Melodrama

A style of acting that was popular in the 19th century.


Melodrama plays are associated with the Victorian period in history.
Live productions during this era in theatre were known as morality plays without religion, in
which the battle of good vs evil was personified.
The outcome of these plays was already known by the audience.

Aspects of a melodrama show

Before the show, the audience participated in a sing a long or warm up done by the keyboardist
The keyboardist was also known as the professor
The olio consisted of a variety of acts that took place in between scenes or at the end of the
show.
The olio usually consisted of the following:

- Musical numbers
- Short dance pieces
- Comic skit / monologues
- Blackout jokes
- Talents

3 Main melodrama characters:

Hero: Moral, handsome, courageous, manly, brave


Villain: Sneerking, skulking and lurking (screaming, threatening)
Heroine: Symbol of purity/innocence, often used the following two gestures: frames her face and
blows a kiss

Melodrama Characteristics

Melodramatic plays were always performed in a proscenium arch theatre and featured a
detuned upright piano.
A common stage convention of the time was the aside, since actors spoke directly to the
audience by removing them from the fourth wall.

Parody
What is parody?
Parody exposes the veil of reality that is really hidden: the character;s true thoughts and the
absurdity! (example: SNL trump parody)

Parody continued…

Sometimes called a spoof


An mutation of the style of a particular writer artist, or genre with deliberate exaggeration for
comic effect
Found in many places: art, music, television, films
Often satirical and ironic

2 Functions of Parody

1. To comment on the original work


2. To mock the parody

What is Farce?

Farce is a comedic and dramatic piece

Elements of farce:
1) Highly improbable situations
2) Extravagant exaggeration
3) Stereotyped characters
4) Violent horseplay
5) Constant plot twists
6) Random events

What’s the difference?

Parody:
- Considered more intellectual
- Focused on mocking and commentating
- Exaggerates
- Plot is simpler and follows what is being mocked/commented on

Farce:
- Regarded as inferior
- Focused on physical comedy
- Takes exaggeration to an extreme level
- Plot is random, improbable, and often difficult to follow

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