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The History of Theatre Part one: The Greeks Before the Greeks there were the • Cavemen! As previously mentioned, our earliest ancestors likely re-enacted great hunts, harvests, feats of heroism and bravery and perhaps even some love stories for their families around the fire. • Eventually, music may have been added, such as the beat of a drum. • Dancing would have almost certainly accompanied that. • However – there are no written records of these performances, just speculation. The Egyptians (surprise) • The first record of a theatrical performance comes from ancient Egypt. • Dating back to about 2000 BC, it describes a lengthy three day performance arranged by and starring I-Kher-Wofret of Abydos. • The performance used realistic battles and high ceremony to reenact the murder, dismemberment, and resurrection of the god Osiris. (Osiris) But get me to the Greek(s)… • Despite the Egyptians, the Greeks are given credit for giving theatre its start. • About 1400 years after Osiris met his bloody demise, the Greeks were paying tribute to their gods as well. • In honor of Dionysis, the god of wine and fertility, the Greek chorus danced around an alter, upon which a sacrificed goat was placed. The Chorus • The chorus played an important role, keeping the audience informed as to what was happening on-stage. • However, in 534 BC, a man named Thespis broke away from the chorus and held dialogue with them on-stage. • It is from this lone wolf that we derive the word thespian. Thespis: the original actor • While on stage, the Greek chorus sang a song called “goat song” or tragos. • It is from this word that we derive the word tragedy. • The Greeks also contributed monumentally to the development of the stage. • By the time women attended theatre around 400 BC, Greek theatres could seat up to 15000 people. • Large masks worn by the actors helped those at the back hear better. Imagine the acoustics! Hellloooo! Can you hear me? • Because the plays had so few actors – up to 3 only – the masks allowed one actor to play several roles. • Also, because women did not act, these devices allowed men to play women’s roles. • The roof of the ever-expanding theatre structures was used as an acting area for the gods. • If the gods needed to fly, a crane-like device called a machina would hoist them into the air. Deus ex machina (ma ke nah) • The term deux ex machina refers to the plot device originating in Greek theatre in which a problem was resolved quite unexpectedly when a god would appear from nowhere and save the day. Early Greek Playwrights • Original copies of Greek plays are disintegrating with the ages, but they are still remembered and performed because of their timeless themes. • Some of the famous Greek playwrights competed against each other in playwriting competitions for prizes and public favour. Aeschylus (b.525 BC) • Known as the “Father of Tragedy” • Wrote about the choices men make, and the consequences that follow. • Famous plays include Agamemnon, the Libation Bearers, and the Euminides. Aeschylus Sophocles (b.497 BC) • Oedipus, the King, Oedipus of Colonus, Electra, and Antigone. • He is often compared to Shakespeare as the greatest playwright of all time. Euripides (b. 484 BC) • The last great writer of Greek tragedy • The Trojan Women, the Medea, and the Hippolytus. • Originated the use of the prologue as a way to summarize the play for the audience before the action. Starting to notice a pattern here? Aristophanes (b.448 BC) • The only writer of ancient Greek comedy whose works still exist in whole today. • Modern audiences have less appreciation for Aristophanes, as his style of wit gets lost in translation. • His plays mocked the leaders of Athens, the gods, and even his playwright counterparts. Aristophanes A little video to sum it up • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNAM3Pz Gcow