Greek Theatre

A presentation by Amrik Singh

It’s Origins… Theatre and performing came popular during

festivals! When it first started the Director, script writer and Actor would all be the same person.

However, later this developed and there were only a maximum of 3 actors allowed on stage- this is why

the role of the chorus became important.

The chorus would usually deliver their lines to music and sound.

Theatrical Forms

Tragedy-Thespis is considered to be the first actor and creator of this form. Tragedy actually means “Goats song”. (it

is argued this was because the actors wore goat skin).

Comedy-This form was driven from imitation. Aristophanes wrote most of these and only 11 survived (one of

which being Lysistrata).

Satyr - Both Comedy and Tragedy was seen as two

separate Genres but Satyr was seen to be dealing with the mythological subject in comic manner.

A Greek Theatre

Theatre buildings were called a “Theatron”. The theaters were large, open-air structures constructed on the slopes of hills. They consisted of three main

elements: the orchestra, the skene, and the audience.

Skene: A large rectangular building situated behind the orchestra, used as a backstage. Actors could change their costumes and masks. Earlier the skene was a tent or hut, later it became a permanent stone structure. These structures were sometimes painted to serve as backdrops.

The Acting

All the actors were male!

All hand gestures and sound had to be over the top to ensure every audience member could hear and follow

the plot and action on stage.

However, the Greek Theatres were cleverly constructed to ensure that even the smallest of

sounds would be heard from every seat.

The Design Elements

Due to the audience being so far away from the performance space the costumes and masks had to

be very extravagant and over the top.

The masks were made of linen or cork, so none have survived. Tragic masks carried mournful or pained expressions, while comic masks were smiling or

leering.

The shape of the mask amplified the actor's voice, making his words easier for the audience to hear.

I hoped you liked reading my presentation. I really enjoyed creating in and learning about the Greek way of

acting has inspired me!

Thank you very much

Amrik Singh