The Origins of Theatre
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Transcript of The Origins of Theatre
The Origins of TheatreThe Origins of Theatre
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).
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
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
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
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
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