Difference between revisions of "Animal magnetism"
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The term is also found as a reference to ''Magnetoreception'', the animal sense which detects magnetic fields to perceive direction, altitude or location, or metaphorically and colloquially, an individual's sexual attractiveness or charisma.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_magnetism_(disambiguation)] | The term is also found as a reference to ''Magnetoreception'', the animal sense which detects magnetic fields to perceive direction, altitude or location, or metaphorically and colloquially, an individual's sexual attractiveness or charisma.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_magnetism_(disambiguation)] | ||
| − | =[[Animal magnetism]] as a performance event= | + | =[[Animal magnetism]] as a performance or theatrical event= |
Exhibitions of [[Animal magnetism]] by "mesmerists" were presented as [[theatrical event]]s by showmen over the years, from the very inception, in much the same way as various hypnotists would travel and display their skills at [[hypnotism]] as public performances, even to this day. Often part of [[vaudeville]] and [[music hall]] programmes, as well as afterpieces to plays. | Exhibitions of [[Animal magnetism]] by "mesmerists" were presented as [[theatrical event]]s by showmen over the years, from the very inception, in much the same way as various hypnotists would travel and display their skills at [[hypnotism]] as public performances, even to this day. Often part of [[vaudeville]] and [[music hall]] programmes, as well as afterpieces to plays. | ||
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=''[[Animal Magnetism]]'' as the name of a play= | =''[[Animal Magnetism]]'' as the name of a play= | ||
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''[[Animal Magnetism]]'' is [[farce]] in three acts by Elizabeth Inchbald (1753-1821)[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Inchbald]. | ''[[Animal Magnetism]]'' is [[farce]] in three acts by Elizabeth Inchbald (1753-1821)[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Inchbald]. | ||
Also occurs with a subtitle as ''[[Animal Magnetism, or A Cure for the Hydrophobia]]''. | Also occurs with a subtitle as ''[[Animal Magnetism, or A Cure for the Hydrophobia]]''. | ||
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== The original text == | == The original text == | ||
| − | + | First performed at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden in 1788(?), and printed in Dublin, for P. Byron, Grafton street. | |
| − | First performed at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden in 1788(?) | ||
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== Performance history in South Africa == | == Performance history in South Africa == | ||
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| − | + | = Sources = | |
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| + | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_magnetism | ||
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| + | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_magnetism_(disambiguation) | ||
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/ecco/004834158.0001.000/1:3?rgn=div1;view=fulltext | http://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/ecco/004834158.0001.000/1:3?rgn=div1;view=fulltext | ||
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Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]] | Go to [[ESAT Bibliography]] | ||
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| + | Return to [[The South African Context/General Terminology and Thematic Entries]] | ||
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| + | Return to [[South African Theatre/Terminology and Thematic Entries]] | ||
Return to [[PLAYS I: Original SA plays]] | Return to [[PLAYS I: Original SA plays]] | ||
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Return to [[Main Page]] | Return to [[Main Page]] | ||
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Revision as of 06:34, 25 January 2020
Animal magnetism can refer to three things:
- Franz Mesmer's theory and its professional use in healing practices, and associated metaphorical uses of the term.
- Any of several exhibitions of Animal magnetism presented as theatrical events by showmen over the years.
- A play by Elizabeth Inchbald
Contents
Mesmer and the term Animal magnetism
Animal magnetism[1] is the English version a German term "Lebensmagnetismus", a concept evolved by the German doctor Franz Mesmer in the 18th century to refer to what he believed to be an invisible natural force possessed by all living things, including humans, animals, and vegetables, a force that could have physical effects, including healing. He tried unsuccessfully to achieve scientific recognition of his ideas. However, his treatments, referred to a "mesmerism", were to become the forerunner of hypnosis as a medical tool, a term given coined by the Scottish surgeon, James Braid, in response to an 1841 exhibition of "animal magnetism", by Charles Lafontaine, in Manchester[2].
The term is of course the source of the notion of someone being "mesmerised" and the colloquial reference to an individual's sexual attractiveness or charisma as his/her "(animal) magnetism".[3]
The term is also found as a reference to Magnetoreception, the animal sense which detects magnetic fields to perceive direction, altitude or location, or metaphorically and colloquially, an individual's sexual attractiveness or charisma.[4]
Animal magnetism as a performance or theatrical event
Exhibitions of Animal magnetism by "mesmerists" were presented as theatrical events by showmen over the years, from the very inception, in much the same way as various hypnotists would travel and display their skills at hypnotism as public performances, even to this day. Often part of vaudeville and music hall programmes, as well as afterpieces to plays.
Animal Magnetism as the name of a play
Animal Magnetism is farce in three acts by Elizabeth Inchbald (1753-1821)[5].
Also occurs with a subtitle as Animal Magnetism, or A Cure for the Hydrophobia.
The original text
First performed at the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden in 1788(?), and printed in Dublin, for P. Byron, Grafton street.
Performance history in South Africa
1831: Performed by All the World's a Stage under the management of Mr Booth in the African Theatre 29 October, 1831, billed as Animal Magnetism, or A Cure for the Hydrophobia. Served as afterpiece to Der Freischütz, or The Seventh Bullet (Weber).
Translations and adaptations
Sources
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_magnetism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_magnetism_(disambiguation)
http://quod.lib.umich.edu/e/ecco/004834158.0001.000/1:3?rgn=div1;view=fulltext
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Inchbald
F.C.L. Bosman. 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. [6]: pp. 217-8.
Go to ESAT Bibliography
Return to
Return to The South African Context/General Terminology and Thematic Entries
Return to South African Theatre/Terminology and Thematic Entries
Return to PLAYS I: Original SA plays
Return to PLAYS II: Foreign plays
Return to PLAYS III: Collections
Return to PLAYS IV: Pageants and public performances
Return to South African Festivals and Competitions
Return to The ESAT Entries
Return to Main Page
