A Brief and Comprehensive Look at

THEATRE HISTORY

Theatre Arts I

Tiffany C. BurgessEast Forsyth High School

PRIMITIVE THEATRE

Reenactments of a hunt; individuals would represent the hunter and the prey

Performed ‘acts’ for the SHAMAN- the religious leader of the tribe in hopes that he would bless the upcoming hunt

Men would huntWomen would gather

GREEK THEATRE Religious festival in honor of the God

DIONYSUS; the God of Wine and Fertility Held in Athens The festival…nicely put was basically a drunken

orgy The festival was thought to have lasted

anywhere from 7 to 15 days Playwrights would enter plays into a contest; the

winner won money and a ivy wreath as a symbol of victory

GREEK THEATRE THESPIS is credited as the first actor; stepped

away from the chorus and delivered lines independently from the chorus (International Thespian Society is named in his honor); actors are generally referred to as thespians

Actors of Greek theatre played more than one role; to distinguish between the different characters actors would wear large masks; the comedy and tragedy mask (symbol of theatre) originated from this practice

GREEK THEATRE COMEDY: light humorous dramas with a happy

ending TRAGEDY: the main character suffers a

disastrous end SATYR (satire): made fun of Greek legends All of these play types were written and

performed during this time period… although the interpretation of these art forms has evolved they are still the general dramatic forms still written and performed at present

GREEK THEATRE

Greek philosopher ARISTOTLE wrote the work The Poetics; important topics of theatre such as PLOT (what happens), THEME (the ideas and messages), CHARACTER, MUSIC, DICTION (speech), and SPECTACLE (what is seen) were discussed… these topics are still the primary focus of theatre actors and directors in modern theatre

GREEK THEATREGreek theatres were constructed in hillsides

using the natural slope of the hill for seating the audience

ORCHESTRA: Large circular area located at the foot of the hill; location from where the chorus would chant their lines

Behind the ORCHESTRA was a raised platform where the actors performed a small building called the SKENE was at the back of the platform-it was where the actors would change their masks- the front of the SKENE was used to represent location; modern day word SCENE comes from SKENE

GREEK THEATRE Greek theatre used specialty machinery; most

noted was the platform on wheels and the DEUS EX MACHINA (literally translated God by Machine)-a device used to lower actors from the top of the SKENE to the stage; used to show the dissention of Gods from the Heavens to earth

Greek era considered to be the most important time in theatre history

GREEK PLAYWRIGHTS

SOPHOCLES: wrote tragedies; Oedipus Rex

AESCHYLUS: wrote tragediesEURIPIDES: wrote tragediesARISTOPHANES: wrote comediesMENANDER: wrote comedies

THE MIDDLE AGES Other names for this period in history include the

Dark Ages and the Medieval Era Theatre was banned by the church during the

Middle Ages because it was thought to be evil and vulgar

In an effort to spread the teachings of God further into society CYCLE plays were developed and performed during church services as well as in the towns and villages; CYCLES: A series of biblical plays

THE MIDDLE AGESTraveling performers presented their plays

from PAGEANT WAGONSEven after banning theatre the church is

credited with giving the theatre new life in the latter part of the Middle Ages

After theatre began to take up too much time in the church service the responsibility of the performances was turned over to the CRAFT GUILDS

RENAISSANCE

Meaning re-birth – a renewed interest in the arts and sciences

The birthplace of the Renaissance was Italy during the 15th Century

During this time period theatre was very influential and elaborately staged productions were used to entertain the royal courts and the upper class.

RENAISSANCETheatre moved indoors and better

methods of lighting were developedRealistic 3-D scenery began to be usedItalian theatre was set within in an arch

called the PROSCENIUM-which serves as a picture frame through which the audience viewed the performance

Music, song, and dance were incorporated into theatrical productions

RENAISSANCEOpera became very “fashionable” for the

upper class during the Renaissance: considered prestigious and artful

Commedia dell’ arte became “fashionable” for the middle and lower class during the Renaissance: considered crass and with low reputation; all work was improvised

Commedia dell’ arte was mostly performed by traveling groups

RENAISSANCEStock characters were used in all

commedia playsThe most important of the characters was

Harlequin- the clever servant-recognized by his patchwork costume

Pantalone-the foolish old man-recognized by his baggy trousers; present day word pants was derived from name and costume

RENAISSANCE

The Renaissance spread throughout Europe; the French often imitated the Italian theatre

Spain performed religious dramas and adventure plays

RENAISSANCE PLAYWRIGHTS

MOLIERE, France; Tartuffe

Lope De Vega, Spain; wrote religious and adventure plays

Calderon, Spain; wrote religious and adventure plays

Between these two men there are over 700 plays to their credit.

ELIZABETHAN THEATRE The Renaissance of England; known as the

Elizabethan era as it took place during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I

During this time their were several talented and noteworthy playwrights such as Christopher Marlowe who wrote important tragedies and Ben Jonson who wrote important comedies but their plays were overshadowed by William Shakespeare…who is thought to be the greatest English playwright of all time.

Shakespeare’s Theatre

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE: 37+ plays and 100+ poems and sonnets to his credit

Shakespeare’s works were enjoyed by both the royal court as well as the common people

Audience members did not expect realistic portrayals of life during the Shakespearean time period

Shakespeare’s Theatre: The Globe

Shakespeare and his partners built The Globe theater in 1599 in Southwark; located on the bank of the Thames River

The Globe was a 3 storied building with a small hut on top of the roof

A flag was raised atop the hut on the days when there was to be a performance

The Globe enclosed an open courtyard; the courtyard was referred to as the pit

Shakespeare’s Theatre: The Globe

The GROUNDLINGS would stand to watch the performances from this area; these were the cheapest seats in the house

Surrounding the pit were the SEATING GALLERIES where patrons would sit to watch the performances; these were the more expensive seats; patrons seated here were protected from the sun and rain by the thatch roof

Shakespeare’s Theatre: The Globe

The MAIN STAGE- a large platform that protruded from one end of the pit; most of the action in the play took place on the MAIN STAGE

A trap-door was cut into the center of the MAIN STAGE to allow ghost and demons to appear and disappear during the plays

The trap-door was also used as a grave in some plays

Shakespeare’s Theatre: The Globe

A roof covered the MAIN STAGE; this protected the actors and their costumes from sun and rain

Suns, moons and stars covered the under side of the roof; this area became known as the HEAVENS because of its decorative drawings

Actors portraying angels and spirits were often lowered from the HEAVENS to the MAIN STAGE area

Shakespeare’s Theatre: The Globe

A curtain hung between the MAIN STAGE and the INNER-BELOW- a small room in back of the MAIN STAGE area

The curtain would open to reveal interior locations during a scene

Above was a balcony that overlooked the MAIN STAGE area

Behind the balcony was another curtain that lead to the INNER-ABOVE which was used in the same manner as the INNER-BELOW

Shakespeare’s Theatre: The Globe

Two additional balconies were located on each side of the MAIN STAGE

No scenery was used during performances

Furniture was used to indicate locationThrones were used to indicate palaces or

castlesTree branches were used to indicate an

exterior or outdoor location

Shakespeare’s Theatre: The Globe

Plays contained many short scenes in a variety of locations

Since no scenery and special lighting was used a greater emphasis was placed on colorful and elaborate costumes, musical accompaniment and special sound effects

RESTORATION

Puritans forced King Charles I out of power; after his death the Commonwealth was established but ended in 1660 when Charles II was named king…thus begins the Restoration Era

Return from exile on France Charles II brought many French influenced changes to the theatre

RESTORATIONCharles II issued royal patents to two of

his friends which allowed them to establish two officially legitimate theaters

These were the only 2 theater groups allowed to perform in London

The term legitimate is still used to refer to LIVE THEATRE

One of the groups built the Drury Lane; a theatre still in operation today

RESTORATION

For the first time beginning in 1660 women were allowed to appear and perform onstage

At first the idea was extremely controversial but eventually the idea of female actors (actresses) became very popular

RESTORATIONTHOMAS BETTERTON eras most famous

actorELIZABETH BARRY, ANNE

BRACEGIRDLE and NELL GWYNN most famous actresses of the era

During the 18th Century DAVID GARRICK achieved fame as an actor, playwright and theater manager; still referred to as England’s greatest actor

RESTORATIONMost audience members were part of the

upper class; all classes no longer attended the theater

Playwrights wrote to please the new selective audiences; often including current gossip as content in their plays

Generally audience members went to the theater to be seen not to see the performances

RESTORATION

The wealthy patrons often sent their servants early to save the best seats; patrons would usually arrive after the performance had already begun

Ladies would typically wear masks at the theater to hide their identities

RESTORATION PLAYWRIGHTS

WILLIAM WYCHERLEY; The Country WifeRICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN; The

Rivals, The School for ScandalWILLIAM CONGREVE, The Way of the

WorldOLIVER GOLDSMITH, She Stoops to

ConquerAPHRA BEHN; one of theatre’s first woman

playwrights

ROMANTICISM Major literary and artistic for of the 19th century Romantic theatre represented life as people

wished it would be rather than how it really was Beliefs of the period were driven by the

individuals feelings and emotions Began in Germany The most popular entertainment form of the

period was the MELODRAMA-an emphasis on the story as opposed to the characters

ROMANTICISM

Special effects emerge onstage during this era; special effects shown onstage included fires, floods, train wrecks, and horse races

Over-exaggeration vocal techniques and gesturing were indicative of the Romantic acting style

ROMANTIC PLAYWRIGHTS

JOHANN WOLFGANG VON GOETHE: The Faust

ALEXANDER DUMAS: The Three Musketeers, The Count of Monte Cristo

REALISM Began in reaction to Romanticism Represented things as they were in real life Dealt with social problems Scientific discoveries were often incorporated

into the storyline of the Realist plays The mind ruled over the emotions Most plays did not have a happy ending Initially not very popular art form Still a major artistic form today

REALISM

New acting style became necessary with Realism; more subtle and believable

CONSTANTIN STANISLAVSKY: a Russian actor and director and fellow colleagues from the Moscow Art Theatre developed “METHOD ACTING”

Still has a great impact on acting techniques used today

REALIST PLAYWRIGHTS HENRIK IBSEN: the father of Realism; wrote

about subjects that had never been in plays before- A Doll’s House, Hedda Gabbler, An Enemy of the People- work considered very controversial for the time

AUGUST STRINDBERG: explored the psychology of character; The Father

Anton Chekhov: wrote about changing society in Russia; The Cherry Orchard

George Bernard Shaw: dealt with political and social issues

MODERN THEATRE

ADOLPHE APPIA & GORDON CRAIG improved scenery and further developed the 3-D scenery design

Incorporated MOOD & ATMOSPHERE into the theatre with the use of lighting

Latter 20th century regional theatres are established

Theatre today continues to grow and exhibit a mix of styles

MODERN PLAYWRIGHTSEUGENE O’NEILL: first American

Playwright to achieve an international reputation; Anna Christie, The Hairy Ape, Long Days Journey Into Night

TENNESSE WILLIAMSCat on a Hot Tin Roof, A Streetcar Named Desire, The Glass Menagerie

AUTHUR MILLERThe Crucible, Death of a Salesman

MODERN PLAYWRIGHTS

LORRAINE HANSBERRY: first prominent African-American female playwright

A Raisin in the Sun

MUSICAL THEATRE

Musicals are the most popular form of theatrical entertainment

The musical tells a story through a combination of spoken words (dialogue), song and dance

The musical first appears in the United States in the mid-1800’s

MUSICAL THEATREThe first musical was The Black CrookThe Black Crook was first performed in

1866Early musicals had a strong European

influenceRUDOLF FRIMEL, SIGMUND

RHOMBERG, AND VICTOR HERBERT were the three major musical composers at the beginning of the 20th century

MUSICAL THEATRE Musicals written by these three include: Naughty

Marietta, The Red Mill, The Student Prince, and Rose Marie

George M. Cohan is the first major American born musical composer.

Cohan’s musicals include: Little Johnny Jones and Forty-five Minutes from Broadway

During this time, music from Broadway musicals was considered the Popular music of the time and was what was being played on the radio

MUSICAL THEATRE Other Notable American Composers include: Jerome Kern, Showboat Showboat, is one of the most important musicals

ever written because it was the first to deal with serious subject matters and done in a realistic manner

George & Ira Gershwin, Of Thee I Sing The popular song “Old Man River” was written

for this musical Of Thee I Sing was the first musical awarded the

Pulitzer Prize in 1932

MUSICAL THEATRE Irving Berlin, Annie Get Your Gun (1946) Cole Porter, Kiss Me Kate, Anything Goes Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein,

Showboat, Oklahoma! (1943), The King and I, The Sound of Music

Oklahoma! Is the first to present the musical as a unified combination of music, words and dance that flowed with seamless transitions to tell the story

This presentation is still the president for the manner in which musicals are presented today

MUSICAL THEATRE Notable composers of the 1950-1960’s: Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, My Fair

Lady, Camelot Leonard Bernstein, West Side Story Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story, Company,

Sweeny Todd Fiddler on the Roof by Jerry Bock and Sheldon

Harnick established a Broadway record with 3000 performance

Michael Bennett, A Chorus Line broke the Fiddler on the Roof performance record just a few years later

MUSICAL THEATRE

Andrew Lloyd Webber is the most important modern musical composer in history

Webber’s works include: Cats, Phantom of the Opera and Evita

Stephen Schwartz, Godspell, Pippen, Children of Eden, Wicked

THEATRE HISTORYTHE END.