Final answer:
True, the stage was dominated by melodramatic entertainment despite the emergence of realism in theatre. Melodrama, with its heightened emotion and stark moral contrasts, remained popular even as theatre began to mirror society more accurately through realism.
Step-by-step explanation:
True. Despite advances in realism, the popular stage was indeed dominated by melodramatic entertainment. Melodrama, which peaked in the 1840s, was characterized by music to heighten emotion, clear moral divides with stock characters, and impressive special effects.
Audiences were captivated by the simplicity and spectacle of melodramas, featuring clear-cut heroes and villains, and often outrageous plots with happy endings. This form of entertainment proved to be immensely popular even as realism began to emerge in theatre, offering a more direct observation of human behavior and society.
During the 20th Century, realism sought to reflect society's complexities influenced by figures like Darwin, Marx, and Freud. Scenery and costumes became more historically accurate, and narratives aimed to represent reality more closely.
However, melodrama continued to be a favored genre among audiences, thriving alongside realism. For example, musical theatre, which evolved from minstrel shows and vaudeville, is considered a form of heightened realism that still retains elements of the melodramatic tradition.