Theatre histories
Universiteit Antwerpen - TFL - 6 studiepunten
What is theatre? 2
Ancient greek theatre 3
Romeins theater 8
Sanskrit drama and indian performances 14
Japanese theatre 18
Middeleeuws theater 22
italian renaissance 27
French theatre 32
English Reformation 36
Realism and Naturalism 42
War and politics 48
Theatre of the absurd 52
Voc 57
1
,What is theatre?
Theatre today
history lives in al arts, they’re all rooted from the past so when we study the theatre of the
past we are also studying the theatre of today
stronger than ever
- even though they predicted that digital world would take over
- audience: diversity
multiple histories: all origin from different perspectives
exemp:
Athen:
- circular construction where the audience is above orchestra. The theatre is in front of the city
in the open air. It creates a connection between fiction and reality.
London:
- Sadler’s wells: an inside room
China:
- floating room
Etymologically:
- Greek: theatron = a place to see
- French: spectare = to view
- Japanese: shibai = to be on the grass
conclusion: theatre is attributed to the audience, not the performance
stage: a place to act
Prototype:
- ritual: society thinks there is a connection between certain actions and results they
desire → group repeats, refines and formalizes the action into rituals as a dialogue
between humans and above
- ex: mourning; funeral; appreciation
- myth: stories that explain, disguise or idealize a ritual. Often performers represent
mythical characters/supernatural forces
! cultural Darwinism: Europeans think that rituals are supposed to evolve in culture and if
they don’t evolve they and the society are less-advanced.
Strands of tactics
1) relating and listening
fundamental human pleasures
by impersonating actions that people know
2) imitation
reenacting persons; things and actions
3) fantasy
reshape reality into more satisfying forms (as escape)
What makes rituals theatre?
- Comic Vision
→ detached view of human problems (different perspective)
laughter is persuasive
- Aesthetic sense
admiring tradition for artistic qualities instead of religious usefulness
- Audience
2
, people watching, instead of only vertical communication (with Gods)
Pre-greek plays
based on funerals and explains power beyond humans control
Origin Western: Greek
why?
- younger
- innovative
- authors, writers and in theatres
statues: white BUT their colour was erased: first tanned
Ancient greek theatre
teksten:
Antigone’s claim - Judith Butler
Dramatic Technique and Athenian Comedy - Marshall
(Antigone - Sophocles)
Greek tragedy
Background
Origin: golden age → politics, philosophy, science and art
History:
- fifth century BCE in Athens Greece
- basic steps: Playwriting; acting; theatre production
- forms: tragedy; comedy; satyr plays
3
, Origin: ceremonies honoring Dionyses (wine, fertility and revelry) → dithyrambic choruses;
myths
Dithyramb: hymn sung and danced by 50 men/boys
leader recited/sang improvised story, others sang popular refrain
‘beginning of Greek dramas’
Arion: added more spoken spoken section and called it “tragekon drama”
Thesis: stepped out and became actor (prologue and dialogue → impersonate character)
first writer of tragedy and first actor (then called hypokrites)
Religion: based on worship of a group of gods lead by Zeus → all social classes attented
because theatre was seen as much a religious event as a form of entertainment.
ex. The city Dionysia: festival to celebrate Dionysus: lasted several days (in Athens)
1 or 2 days: parades/sacrifices
2 days: dithyrambic choruses
3 days: tetralogy: 3 tragedies + 1 satire from the same writer
couple days later: awards
Venues: theatron: open-air theatre (provided by city)
Plot: inspired by episodes of Greek mythology
- moral rights and wrongs
- violence was not permitted on stage
Democracy: birthplace for democracy for free citizens (male with Athenian origin)
theatre functioned as a testing place for direct democracy
citizens attended performances and discussed problem w others
Structure
1) prologue
2) parodos: entrance of chorus
3) exodos: action
violence = off stage
in need of a messenger
Playwrights
Aeschylus (525-456 BCE)
- first: developing drama wo singing, dancing or storytelling
→ founder of Greek drama (and all Western drama)
- noble families and lofty themes
- superb lyric poetry and dramatic structure
- added a second actor → dialogue
- 7/90 plays survived
- plays: The Persians (472 BCE); Seven Against Thebes (467 BCE)
Sophocles (496 BCE - 406 BCE)
- superb plot construction; exploration of character (complex and psychologically well
motivated) and focus on individual
- used Sophocles’ Oedipus the King as model for analysis of tragedy
- added 3rd actor → conflict and interaction
- most celebrated in dramatic competitions of Athens
4
Universiteit Antwerpen - TFL - 6 studiepunten
What is theatre? 2
Ancient greek theatre 3
Romeins theater 8
Sanskrit drama and indian performances 14
Japanese theatre 18
Middeleeuws theater 22
italian renaissance 27
French theatre 32
English Reformation 36
Realism and Naturalism 42
War and politics 48
Theatre of the absurd 52
Voc 57
1
,What is theatre?
Theatre today
history lives in al arts, they’re all rooted from the past so when we study the theatre of the
past we are also studying the theatre of today
stronger than ever
- even though they predicted that digital world would take over
- audience: diversity
multiple histories: all origin from different perspectives
exemp:
Athen:
- circular construction where the audience is above orchestra. The theatre is in front of the city
in the open air. It creates a connection between fiction and reality.
London:
- Sadler’s wells: an inside room
China:
- floating room
Etymologically:
- Greek: theatron = a place to see
- French: spectare = to view
- Japanese: shibai = to be on the grass
conclusion: theatre is attributed to the audience, not the performance
stage: a place to act
Prototype:
- ritual: society thinks there is a connection between certain actions and results they
desire → group repeats, refines and formalizes the action into rituals as a dialogue
between humans and above
- ex: mourning; funeral; appreciation
- myth: stories that explain, disguise or idealize a ritual. Often performers represent
mythical characters/supernatural forces
! cultural Darwinism: Europeans think that rituals are supposed to evolve in culture and if
they don’t evolve they and the society are less-advanced.
Strands of tactics
1) relating and listening
fundamental human pleasures
by impersonating actions that people know
2) imitation
reenacting persons; things and actions
3) fantasy
reshape reality into more satisfying forms (as escape)
What makes rituals theatre?
- Comic Vision
→ detached view of human problems (different perspective)
laughter is persuasive
- Aesthetic sense
admiring tradition for artistic qualities instead of religious usefulness
- Audience
2
, people watching, instead of only vertical communication (with Gods)
Pre-greek plays
based on funerals and explains power beyond humans control
Origin Western: Greek
why?
- younger
- innovative
- authors, writers and in theatres
statues: white BUT their colour was erased: first tanned
Ancient greek theatre
teksten:
Antigone’s claim - Judith Butler
Dramatic Technique and Athenian Comedy - Marshall
(Antigone - Sophocles)
Greek tragedy
Background
Origin: golden age → politics, philosophy, science and art
History:
- fifth century BCE in Athens Greece
- basic steps: Playwriting; acting; theatre production
- forms: tragedy; comedy; satyr plays
3
, Origin: ceremonies honoring Dionyses (wine, fertility and revelry) → dithyrambic choruses;
myths
Dithyramb: hymn sung and danced by 50 men/boys
leader recited/sang improvised story, others sang popular refrain
‘beginning of Greek dramas’
Arion: added more spoken spoken section and called it “tragekon drama”
Thesis: stepped out and became actor (prologue and dialogue → impersonate character)
first writer of tragedy and first actor (then called hypokrites)
Religion: based on worship of a group of gods lead by Zeus → all social classes attented
because theatre was seen as much a religious event as a form of entertainment.
ex. The city Dionysia: festival to celebrate Dionysus: lasted several days (in Athens)
1 or 2 days: parades/sacrifices
2 days: dithyrambic choruses
3 days: tetralogy: 3 tragedies + 1 satire from the same writer
couple days later: awards
Venues: theatron: open-air theatre (provided by city)
Plot: inspired by episodes of Greek mythology
- moral rights and wrongs
- violence was not permitted on stage
Democracy: birthplace for democracy for free citizens (male with Athenian origin)
theatre functioned as a testing place for direct democracy
citizens attended performances and discussed problem w others
Structure
1) prologue
2) parodos: entrance of chorus
3) exodos: action
violence = off stage
in need of a messenger
Playwrights
Aeschylus (525-456 BCE)
- first: developing drama wo singing, dancing or storytelling
→ founder of Greek drama (and all Western drama)
- noble families and lofty themes
- superb lyric poetry and dramatic structure
- added a second actor → dialogue
- 7/90 plays survived
- plays: The Persians (472 BCE); Seven Against Thebes (467 BCE)
Sophocles (496 BCE - 406 BCE)
- superb plot construction; exploration of character (complex and psychologically well
motivated) and focus on individual
- used Sophocles’ Oedipus the King as model for analysis of tragedy
- added 3rd actor → conflict and interaction
- most celebrated in dramatic competitions of Athens
4
