Per Ringby

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Författarens dröm på scenen

THE THESIS IS a structural biography of Harald Molander (1858-1900), stage manager, author, translator and critic.The investigation is based on his literary works and the reviews of these. Articles, letters and the director's comprehensive manuscripts and other documents are analyzed. The reactions of the audience are studied.Molander's authorship and directing were artistically coherent. In accordance with the theories of Felix Vodicka and Jan Mukarovsky a model of description is formulated for the study of the period norm. The structure of Molander's literary works, the reception of them, and the modern conception of stage management are related to the changes in the norm.As an. author Molander successively associated himself with tradition, with the realism of the modern breakthrough and the interest in historical subject. His works were often shaped by literary impressions. His works as an author and stage manager were frequently religiously tinged.As a director Molander was a transitional figure. He began as an author-director and gradually took up modern stage management. In this thesis his work as a director is studied as part of the division of labour in the theatre, as staging-procedure and as an expression of principles of style and artistic viewpoint. His directing was chiefly aimed at realizing the author's vision on the stage. He wanted to transform the possibilities of the drama into scenic reality.As a stage manager Molander was influenced by the Meininger Company and Wagner. As a director he was very systematic. He distanced himself from the kind of theatre which was dominated by the actors, from Romanticism and ideal realism, and he studied naturalism. Tradition, fidelity to authors, realism, historicism, ensemble-acting and the harmonization of the means of expression of the theatre characterized his stage managing. Molander also had a didactic view of the theatre; he wanted to discuss societal and psychological problems and he wanted to amuse his audience.Molanderwas active both in Sweden and in Finland. The highlight of his early period was the staging of Goethe's Faust (1889). He shaped it into a realistic-fantastic Gesamtkunstwerk. He made pictorially attractive stagings of Strindberg's historical dramas, Mäster Olof (1897), Gustaf Vasa and Erik XIV (1899). The staging of Hauptmann's The Weavers was his masterpiece. The instruction of the masses in this strike drama was consistent. The Swedish labour movement greeted the play with enthusiasm.