Nightlife

Night Life** The night life of the industrial revolution was similar to what some people do today. There were many types of entertainment and all can still be seen today. There were Operas, theater, and more abstract arts such as hypnotism. But entertainment does not have to be on the large scale, bars are often a place of entertainment for all classes.
 * Chris Ivie

In the 19th century the Italian Opera was at what many people said it was at its peak. Gipacchino Rossini was an Italian composer who wrote many operas such as "La Cambiale di Matrimonio, The Barber of Seville, and La Cenerentola" these were all comedies but there he also wrote "Otello" and "Guiliame Tell" which were serious operas. Operas are similar to musicals but focus more on the music and art of the language, in this case Italian, rather than acting. Operas were more for the rich middle class, they often cost much.
 * Operas**

The Theater, like the operas, was in great shape. Shakespeare was still popular during this time and many people became famous from directing and acting in those plays. Also the idea of making books into plays was thought of then, which can be seen in many TV shows and movies today. Melodramas were also thought of, this is where music aids the performance. Melodramas are not around today because they were replaced with movies.
 * Theater**

Hypnotism is the act of putting someone into a trance where they are obedient to the person who has put them into the trace. James Braid is considered to be the first hypnotist but thought it was a state of sleep, "hypnosis" comes from the Greek word sleep, he tried to change the name but the name hypnosis stuck. He wrote a book on the subject and after his death interest in hypnotism decreased. That quickly changed in the 1880s when Jean-Martin Charcot used hypnosis to cure hysteria. However hypnosis was also a form of entertainment, a hypnotist would hypnotize someone on stage to do a multitude of tasks of even just to say things.
 * Misc.**

Harry Houdini was possibly the most famous escape artist of all time. People remember him as a magician but in reality his magic card tricks got him very little success, he was not noticed until he started his escapes. He was known as the handcuff king in Europe and would often escape from jails in the nude with only handcuffs on. These performances were public so even class could go, and from the money he made he traveled back to America. In America he did the same escapes plus strait jackets until people started copying his ideas. To throw them off he escaped handcuffs in a water filled box. He did more great stunts, but eventually died from a bet that he could withstand the strongest blow that J. Gordon Whitehead hit him with, it ruptured his appendix.

Bars are always an entertaining place to be, from drinking to gambling, there are tons of activities. This was different from years past though because gas lights allowed people to stay out past dark. They are simple but very good for the mood of the population. They are a place were people can relax and the best part is that they are there all the time; their simplicity is their best feature.
 * Bars**

All of these forms of entertainment can still be seen today. Harry Houdini is a name that is recognized everywhere today, Operas are still associated with the rich, bars are still where the average Joe can relax after work, and the new methods of doing theater are still here. All of these could distract people from work and of stressors and make them more relaxed.
 * Overall Effect**

Bibliography

"Victorian Entertainments: We Are Amused." __University Library at University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign__. 27 Sep. 2009 .

"Music, Theater, and Popular Entertainment in Victorian Britain." __The Victorian Web: An Overview__. 27 Sep. 2009 .

"History of hypnosis - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." __Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia__. 27 Sep. 2009 .

"Harry Houdini - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." __Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia__. 27 Sep. 2009 .

"Italian opera - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." __Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia__. 27 Sep. 2009 .

"Victorian Social History: An Overview." __The Victorian Web: An Overview__. 27 Sep. 2009 .

"The Development of Leisure in Britain after 1850." __The Victorian Web: An Overview__. 27 Sep. 2009 .