Download Medieval Theatre • Called the Dark Ages because little or no cultural

Medieval Theatre
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Called the Dark Ages because little or no cultural activity.
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Began with the Fall of Rome and continued till the 12th Century in Europe.
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The church that buried drama, revived it in order to “teach” the Christian story to the
uneducated.
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Performed on traveling wagons---people would travel from one wagon to the next to see a
complete story. Were also performed at “stations” in cathedrals.
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Three types of plays (The 3 “M’s”) Mystery (Bible stories), Miracle (saints), and Morality (taught
right from wrong)
Italian and Spanish Renaissance Theatre
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Travels of people like Marco Polo had stimulated curiosity in arts and sciences.
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(Leornardo DiVinchi, Michelangelo)
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Comedia dell’ Arte was improvised comedy performed for the masses in the street---companies
included 7 men and 3 women who would adlib around a scenerio. This also included songs,
dances, acrobatics, stunts, and fight scenes.
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Stock characters evolved:
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Harlequin (wore a stylized diamond costume) was the clever, witty one.
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Pierrot was lovelorn and moody
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Columbine was flirtatious and pretty
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Pantolone (wore baggy trousers---get word pantaloon) was gullible father.
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Also pseudoclassicism began which copied ancient Roman forms.
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Most successful form was the newly created opera which supplanted drama---huge auditoriums
were built.
Elizabethan Theatre
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Think Shakespeare.
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Elizabeth I was a huge fan of the arts, endorsed plays, and placed actors under her protection.
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Playhouses were called “Wooden O’s”---most famous was the Globe theatre.
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Lighting was natural (O’s were open to outside light).
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Used a thrust stage.
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Groundlings caused problems.
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Men played all parts.
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Plays were held in afternoon.
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White and black flags
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Know the parts of the theatre
French Renaissance
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Due to war, the Renaissance hit late in France, and form was limited to neo-classicism (imitating
the classics)
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Primarily for the royalty
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Moliere is the high point of the French Renaissance, writing in the Commedia dell’ Arte style. He
changed his name so that his family would not be disgraced by having an actor in the family.
Restoration and 18th Century
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After the Puritans took over England, they cancelled theatre as being “evil.”
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Charles II restored theatre, built the theatres torn down by the Puritans, and “restored”
theatre.(restoration)
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New theatres were built----proscenium stages/archs---not thrust stages.
Audience was sophisticated and aristocratic: very witty, insincere, immoral, and dissipated.
Primarily comedies were performed.
19th Century Continental Theatre
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At first, type changed to an emotional escape into adventure, beauty, and sentimental idealism
(Think The Three Musketeers and Victor Hugo).
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Midway through, drama became very realistic.
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Primary playwright was Henrik Isben (A Doll’s House), Chekhov, Beorge Shaw, and Oscar Wilde.
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Stanislavski, the famous director, started the Stanislavski technique of realistic acting.
19th Century American Drama
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America finally stepped up to the plate, stopped borrowing from Europe, and developed its own
style.
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Early drama had been regarded as “sinful” by the Puritans.
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President Washington endorsed theatre and Washington developed as a theatrical haven.
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Showboats became popular and theatrical playhouses were built.
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America began the practice of using historically accurate costumes.
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Theatre managers formed traveling companies.
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Three types of theatre “invented by Americans”
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Minstrel shows were developed (done in black face and featuring Negro songs and jokes).
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Vaudeville: a variety show
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Melodrama: think soap opera
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Musical
20th Century Drama
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Techniques and technology advanced. Theatre becomes very, very popular.
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Impressionism becomes popular.
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America invents the musical comedy and Broadway starts!
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Expanded use of electronics, projections, light
Stage areas (UR,DR,CS,etc.)
Main types of curtains
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Main draw
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Center draw
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Legs
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Teasers
Costumes
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Why we use them
Things to consider when selecting costumes
Considerations for costumes
Acting:
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Improve
Stage business
Props- rules about props
Staying in character
Cues
Blocking
Scene Shop/Safety on stage:
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Paint cans
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Tools-goggles
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Set building
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Wash paintbrushes
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Flats: (parts of) stiles, rails, corner blocks, canvas, sizing
Basic types of theatres: thrust, proscenium, in the round