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Crash Course Theater
The Rise of Melodrama
Season 1
Episode 28
In the 18th century, audiences were ready for some really dramatic theater. Like, a dog dueling a man type of dramatic. In London, only two theaters were licensed, but entertainment entrepreneurs figured out that musical entertainments weren't subject to the same restrictions. So, incidental music was invented, and the melodrama was born. And then switched with another infant. And so forth.
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