Stage Conditions in Drama

STAGE CONDITIONS IN DRAMA

Drama and novel have some common characteristics like plot, characters, setting, dialogue etc. But drama is much different from novel. It is a literary form designed for the theatre, where actors take the role of characters, perform the indicated action and utter the written dialogue before an audience. It is three dimensional - written drama, stage conditions and actors. Hence the success of drama depends on these three important aspects. Among these three, stage conditions play an important role in the success of drama. Dr. S Devika rightly remarks:

“It is literature that walks, and talks before our eyes. It is an art that stresses on theatricality for its impact. The art of drama is closely bound up with stage-conditions, the skill of the actors, and the tastes of the audience before whom it is to be staged.”

DISCUSSION:

The novel is an independent form but drama needs other elements like actors, stage managers, costumes, properties etc. While the novelists create their background through descriptions, dramatists depend on stage property for the creation of the setting. In drama required atmosphere or mood is created by the skilful use of costumes, lights, music etc. 

COSTUMES / LIGHTS / PROPERTIES:

In the ancient times, when there was no technology and science, it was difficult to create visual effects on the stage. During the Elizabethan age, role of female characters were performed by males only because of social restrictions. They were given masks. In the ancient Greek times, the play was watched by thousands of spectators at a time. Hence, the dialogues written by the playwrights had to be very long, loud and high sounding. 

Moreover, the costumes and masks of the actors during the Greek and Elizabethan times were too much heavy. Hence the dramatists were not allowed to present too many physical movements on the stage. Facial gestures were also not allowed as the characters used to wear the masks.

Look at the following pictures which give us an idea as to what kind of theatres were existing in the olden times.

CONCLUSION:

To sum up, we may say that though drama enjoys the advantage of liveliness in comparison to novel, it has many limitation of the availability of stage conditions. The dramatist has to consider unity of time, place and action keeping in mind the stage conditions. Costumes, light effects and properties play a very important role in the success of drama on the stage.

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