The speed paradigm

The dynamism on the European scene in the late 19th and early 20th century

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4000/mimesis.1911

Abstract

Between the end of the nineteenth century and the beginning of the twentieth century, European culture was deeply fascinated by dynamism as a synonym for scientific progress. The theater reacted to this awareness with variety shows based on the combination of short and flexible dramaturgical units. The essay proposes a mapping, which correlates, in the light of the paradigm of speed, theatrical phenomena in the strict sense and performances of a wider spectacularity, such as circus. Yvette Guilbert’s allusive interpretations, Loïe Fuller’s hypnotic choreographies, Leopoldo Fregoli’s illusionistic transformations, the Grand Guignol quick one-acts and the Hanlon-Lees’ convulsive pantomimes are the outcomes of new compositional methods based on accelerated movement, reproducing moreover the vortex of the rhythms imposed by modern society.

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Author Biography

Elena Mazzoleni, University of Bergamo

È ricercatrice a tempo determinato in Discipline dello Spettacolo presso l’Università degli Studi di Bergamo. La sua attività scientifica è dedicata allo studio di fenomeni di migrazione e contaminazione drammaturgica e spettacolare relativi il teatro popolare fra Settecento e Ottocento. Attualmente si occupa delle esportazioni delle tipologie performative, dei repertori e degli attori, che hanno interessato l’Europa e gli Stati Uniti tra Settecento e Ottocento. Tra le sue pubblicazioni più recenti: George e Maurice Sand sulle scene di Nohant. Il rinnovamento della Commedia dell’Arte (2017), Il circo australiano: il corpo ai confini delle arti performative (2018), «Brividi indicibili di paura»: Alfredo Sainati e il Grand Guignol italiano (2019) e Le origini del circo moderno. Le migrazioni e gli intrecci drammaturgici dei circhi Astley, Ricketts e Chiarini (2020).

Published

2020-06-23

How to Cite

Mazzoleni, E. (2020). The speed paradigm: The dynamism on the European scene in the late 19th and early 20th century. Mimesis Journal, 9(1), 57–78. https://doi.org/10.4000/mimesis.1911

Issue

Section

Essays