Realism

It is where people move and talk in a manner similar to that of our everyday behavior. The style has been dominant for the last 120 years. It holds the idea of the stage as an environment, rather than as an acting platform.

Realism's early phase was Romanticism, which had its roots in the 1790's with works by Goethe (Faust) and Schiller (William Tell). Romanticism is known for exotic locales and swashbuckling heroes. As the 19th century progressed, there were several contributing elements to Realism, which came together in the late 19th century. Social, and political ideas, playwrighting, and some spectacular theatrical innovations helped bring Realism to the theatre.