Theatre – A Brief History

Greece

Theatre Amphitheatre Tragedy Drama Comedy Chorus Dialogue Scene Orchestra Deus ex machina

Dionysus

Dionysus or Dionysos (from the Ancient Greek Διώνυσος or Διόνυσος),

Intoxicating power of wine and beneficial influences.

Promoter of civilization, a law giver

Lover of peace — as well as the patron deity of agriculture and the theatre.

Thespis

534 B.C.Thespian society

Subject matter and themes:

MythologyFate, free will, justiceHubrisTragic heroCatharsisMale dominated society

Greek theatres

Theatre of Dionysus, Athens

Other interesting tidbits:

MasksChorusDramatic competitions: 3 tragedies +

comedyGolden Age of Athens:

– Aeschylus– Euripides

Sophocles

AntigoneOedipus RexElectra

The Theban Legend:• King Laius – Thebes

• Queen Jocasta

• King of Corinth

• Sphinx

Medieval theatre:

Secular: non-religious: stand up comediansReligious: tell Biblical stories to an

illiterate audience

Medieval theatre

PageantsMystery plays

Mystery cycles guilds

Morality plays

Medieval theatre

Morality plays:– Old Vice

– Virtue

– Riches

– Devil

– Everyman

London

1520: 50,0001600: 200,000

What you should definitely remember so far:

What is the origin of theatre?What feature and themes of Greek theatre

can be found in theatre of later ages?Hubris, tragic hero, catharsis.What forms of theatre existed during

medieval times?

Acts of Parliament:

Henry breaks with the Roman Catholic church.

Establishes Church of England.

Confiscates Catholic property.

Medieval entertainment

Bear and bull baiting.

Animal fights.Crime.Riots.Prostitution.

English Renaissance

1533 (1558) –1603 1566 (1603) - 1625

London

1520: 50,0001600: 200,000

Inn yards

Audience capacity up to 500.

Inexpensive.                                          

London

Elizabethan Theater Locations Map

http://www.william-shakespeare.info/elizabethan-theatre-locations.htm

The Theatre 1576

James BurbageActorEntrepreneur.

The Curtain

Henry Laneham

The Rose 1587

Philip HensloweSouthwarkLord Admiral’s Men

The Globe

Actors

Will KempGaging?

Actors:

Edward Alleyn Richard Burbage

Lord Admiral’s Men Lord Chamberlain’s Men

Things you should know

How did Henry VIII decision to break with the Catholic church affect the history of theatre?

How did the establishment of the first purpose built theatres influence the development of drama?

How did the physical structure of the theatre influence the development of drama?

Explain the connection between printing practices and variations in Shakespeare's texts.