Theatre Final Study GuideAncient Greek Theatre-Limitations:1. Covering thousands of years of theatre in short amount of time [generalizing]2. Focusing on Western theatre3. We don’t know much because theatre is ephemeral; not written down-Sources of information about Greek theatre:- Extant texts- Archaeological remains (plays from 5th century B.C. but ruins of theatre from 4th century B.C.)- Visual art—primarily vase painting- Written reports-Sparta: war, fighting-Athens: enlightenment, artsy-Adelphi: spiritual-Men: citizen, native-born-Women: produce children and run the homeChronology-Trojan War-Thespis-Playwrights-Surrender of Athens-Aristotle’s “Poetics”-Roman Empire under Julius CaesarDionysia: Every March in Athens; celebrates Dionysus; first Dithyrambs then theatreDithyrambs: hymns; dancing and singing; troupes of 50Thespis: a dithyramb singer; brilliant idea to step out of the chorus; “The First Actor”3 Types of Plays- Comedyo Everyday peopleo A crazy “happy idea”o Sex jokes, scatological (potty) jokes, lampooning famous peopleo From “komodia”—“revel song”- Satyr Playo Part man, part goato Attend Dionysus, loves wineo Parodied mythical storieso One extant satyr play: Cyclops- Tragedyo Mythic or heroico Kings, queens, warriorso Hero with character flawo Katharsis (audience is so moved they express lots of emotion; learn a lessono From “tragados”—“goat song” goat was prizePlaywrights-Upper class men-Well educated-Not making money-Actor and coach-Tragic actors submit 3 tragedies and 1 satyr play (tetralogy)-Comic authors submit one comedyAeschylus: earliest extant plays; introduced the 2nd actor; shrank chorus; wrote 80 playsSophacles: introduced the 3rd actor, more conversational; focus on “hubris”—overbearing pride; wrote 114+ playsEuripides: wrote 90 plays; 17 extant; sensational violent plots; disillusionedAristophanes: 44 plays; 11 extant; political jokes; one comic playwrightAristotle: Philosopher; wrote “The Poetics”; Six elements of tragedy:1. Plot: order of actions in a play2. Character: revealed by actions3. Thought/Idea: theme4. Verbal language: how words are written5. Music: not part of effectiveness6. Spectacle: costuming, set design, special effectsRecognition: moment where hero realizes everything’s going to go badlyPeripety: (reversal) moment where hero loses everythingArchon: selects plays, sponsors, and judgesChoregos: richest men, paid to house, feed, train the chorusTheatrones: building manager, tickets, enforcing rulesThorikos: oldest example of theatrePhysical TheatreTheatron: Sitting placeOrchestra: dancing placeScene: building behind (backstage)Parados: where chorus entersThymele: altarEkkyklema: hidden platform (shows dead bodies)Mechane: crane, “deus ex machina”-Greek Actors- All men- Chorus always amateurs- Travel, exempt from military- Became celebrities, teachers- Formed a guild (288 B.C.E)-Costuming- Masks: show gender, race, job, class, encouraged big gestures- Shoes: soft boots for dancing (comic, chorus), platform sandals (nobility, tragedy)- Tragedy: usually robes- Comedy/Satyr: padded body suits, male characters wear phallus- Chorus: costumed alike, human or animalRome 240 B.C.—476 A.D.Para Theatras: entertainment that doesn’t strictly classify as theatre- Mimes: real on stage, women, strippers/prostitutes, sex & violence on stage- Gladiatorial combats: fighting to the death- Bestiarii (Beast fighters): animals eating other animals; then put people (Christians/lions)- Naumachia: sea battles; flood floor of theatre, bring naval ships, put slaves onships, fought to the deathThe Medieval Period-Roman Emperor Constantine moved Roman capital to Constantinople—330 A.D.-Fall of Rome—476 A.D. Approximately 500 years without theatre-First theatrical performance came back in Catholic church—Quem Quaeritis -Power of Church-Theatre through teaching of Church/religion-Most common author: AnonymousThe Renaissance or Rebirth-Rebirth of the classics of Greece in Rome-Rebirth from Middle Ages-Humanism-Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation (1517) and Henry VIII and Anglican Church-Age of trade and exploration-Gutenberg and Printing Press—Bibles printed in vernacular-The Italian Renaissance-Elizabethan England (1558-1603)- 1588 English defeated Spanish Armada- Religious stability—secured Anglican power- Patron of the artsShakesepeare and the English Renaissance-Queen Elizabeth I-King James-Christopher Marlowe—hugely successful playwright, deid early-Where plays were performed:- At court- Private playhouses (indoor theatres), more expensive- Public playhouseso Outdoor theatreo Daylighto Bare stage-Theatres:- The Swano 3 levels of seatingo Thrust stage “The Heavens” on inner rafterso Overhango Balcony, lord’s roomso Columnso Tiring houseo 2 entrances (or 3)o DeWitt drawing- The Globeo Built 1599, burned in 1613o “Shakespeare Theatre”o Second globe built in 1614o Closed by Puritans and English Civil War in 1642o Rebuilt in London in 1997- Blackfriarso Built by James Burbageo Indoor, “private” theatreo Winter home for king’s men in 1609o Closely resembled Globe stage-Who did theatre?- Theatre companies- Shareholders, hired men, boys- Richard Burbage: lead actor- William Shakespeare- Later, King’s men- Town and touring-Costumes- Actors wore clothing of their own time, no matter where the play was set-Audiences- Very poor could not afford, very rich did not attend- Other popular entertainments:o Bear baitingo Bull baitingo Dog fightso Cock fights- Had an active, interactive relationship with actors- Daylight meant audience was fully visible- Eating, drinking, prostitution, pickpockets-Why go to theatre?- Popular, entertainment- See the big name stars- Blood and guts- Music- How to end a play:o Always dance at end of playo Enemies in show dance with each other (even dead ones)William Shakespeare- Born 1564- Actor, shareholder, and resident playwright in Lord Chamberlain’s men- Householder in the Globe and Blackfriars- Wrote 3 types of playso Tragedy (everyone dies)o Comedy (everyone gets married)o HistoryOthello-Richard Burbage, -Paul Robeson, 1930 in London First successful production with Othello of African decent-Not done in America until 1940Transition to Romanticism and RealismEngland- 1642: Charles I beheaded by puritans who establish commonwealth- They shut down the theatre- 1660 The Restoration—Charles II returns to England from France-
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