Lajos Egri

Lajos Egri was a playwright, philosopher, and teacher known for his revolutionary approach to theatrical structure. Born in Hungary in the late 19th century, he wrote and produced plays throughout Europe during the early 20th century. He became renowned for introducing Aristotelian principles of structure, character psychology, and dramatic irony to theater.

Lajos Egri was born in 1882 in Budapest, Hungary. He studied philosophy, psychology, and history at the University of Budapest and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. He was impressed by the works of the Ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle and sought to understand not only its principles but also the application of the ideas to modern theater. He was particularly interested in the use of structure, conflict, and irony in producing a good play.

Egri was influenced by a variety of playwrights, including Henrik Ibsen and George Bernard Shaw, but his knowledge of theater comprised far more than tradition alone. He sought to create a new theatrical form, one in which the audience was moved emotionally as well as intellectually. He argued that if a playwright wished to move an audience, the characters and situations must be believable, and the play's structure must be logical and consistent.

In 1946, Egri published his seminal work The Art of Dramatic Writing: Its Basis in the Creative Interpretation of Human Motives. This book outlined his theories of dramatic writing and was, and still is, one of the most influential books on theater ever written. In this work, Egri stressed the importance of understanding character motivation and using it as the basis for action and consequences in a play. He also argued for creating believable situations, avoiding summaries of events, and using appropriate language and description.

The principles outlined in Egri's book are known as the "Egri Method" and have become a cornerstone of modern playwriting. His ideas influenced playwrights such as Arthur Miller, Tennessee Williams, and even Broadway writers. In this way, Egri has become a vital figure in the development and evolution of theater over the last century.

Egri also wrote extensively on screenwriting and published several books on the subject. His most famous work is The Script: Analysis of Film and Television. This book is considered a classic of cinematic literature and is still studied today by aspiring screenwriters. It contains Egri’s signature approach to structure, character, and dramatic arc, and serves as a valuable resource for writers in the field.

Lajos Egri’s contributions to the theater, film, and television have been invaluable. He was able to take familiar ideas and apply them to a new context. His insights into character, structure, conflict, and irony are so universally accepted that it is difficult to imagine a modern drama without them. While his work is now largely overshadowed by other playwrights and directors, Egri’s influence on theatrical and cinematic writing is undeniable.