The Origins of Theatre
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Transcript of The Origins of Theatre
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The Origins of TheatreThe Origins of Theatre
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Rituals and StorytellingRituals and StorytellingPrimitive cultures had little understanding of natural causes.Primitive cultures had little understanding of natural causes.
RitualsRituals• Included theatrical Included theatrical
elements.elements.• Ex: Weddings, funerals, Ex: Weddings, funerals,
sacrifices, harvest sacrifices, harvest celebrations, etc.celebrations, etc.
Storytelling:Storytelling:• Included theatrical Included theatrical
elements.elements.• Epic poems and myths Epic poems and myths
were performed by bards were performed by bards (travelling poets).(travelling poets).
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Egyptian (3000 BCE)Egyptian (3000 BCE)
• First to perform drama? Proof = First to perform drama? Proof = hieroglyphicshieroglyphics
• Five types of plays:Five types of plays:o Pyramid: Soul's journey to Pyramid: Soul's journey to
next worldnext worldo Coronation Dance: good Coronation Dance: good
fortune for new rulefortune for new ruleo Heb sed: 30 year reign Heb sed: 30 year reign
celebrationcelebrationo Medicinal Play: brings magical Medicinal Play: brings magical
healinghealingo Abydos Passion Play: mock Abydos Passion Play: mock
battle and funeralbattle and funeral
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Other Early FormsOther Early FormsHowever, no solid script or proof of dramatizations.However, no solid script or proof of dramatizations.
• Indian Theatre (2000BCE)Indian Theatre (2000BCE)o Religious ritualism: hunting role-play and Hindu Religious ritualism: hunting role-play and Hindu
sacred text Vedas recited as hymns (choral reading)sacred text Vedas recited as hymns (choral reading)• Chinese Theatre (1500BCE)Chinese Theatre (1500BCE)
o Shang Dynasty: entertainment with music, clowning Shang Dynasty: entertainment with music, clowning and acrobaticsand acrobatics
o Han Dynasty: Shadow puppetryHan Dynasty: Shadow puppetry• Hebrew Theatre (300BCE)Hebrew Theatre (300BCE)
o Song of Solomon: poetic languageSong of Solomon: poetic languageo Book of Job: 5 act playBook of Job: 5 act play
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Greek Theatre (500BCE)Greek Theatre (500BCE)
• Bards turned to traveling Bards turned to traveling actors.actors.
• Priest and chorus became Priest and chorus became part of theatre part of theatre
• Dithyramb FestivalDithyramb Festivalo honours the god honours the god
DionysusDionysuso competition style in competition style in
an arena theatrean arena theatreo tragedies versus tragedies versus
comediescomedies• Thespies: famous actorThespies: famous actor
o limit chorus to 15limit chorus to 15o added masksadded masks
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Roman (Italian) Theatre (500BCE)Roman (Italian) Theatre (500BCE)
• Romans borrowed; like Romans borrowed; like entertainment valueentertainment value
• Added many new elementsAdded many new elements • Christianity blockChristianity block• Renaissance revivalRenaissance revival
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English (UK) Theatre (400ACE)English (UK) Theatre (400ACE)• Medieval times: Medieval times:
troupes and minstrelstroupes and minstrels• Myster plays: plot Myster plays: plot
pushpush• Morality plays: Morality plays:
religious influencereligious influence• Licensing and Licensing and
businessbusiness• Pop writers:Pop writers:
o Christopher Christopher MarloweMarlowe
o ShakespeareShakespeareo Thomas KydThomas Kydo Ben JohnsonBen Johnson
• Theatre spacesTheatre spaces