Musical Time Line

By George Streather

• Greek Theatre was where Musical Theatre began. • They used to have a choir which would sing, Church

Like songs, to tell a story.• It was mainly rich men who would go to see the

performances and woman were not allowed to see it on there own.

• There plays would consist of a Religious theme and would usually use the God’s at characters.

Greek Theatre - 534 BC

Ballard Opera – 1728• Ballard Opera was the first form of Opera.• Unlike Greek Theatre, they would not have a

choir but would have a chorus of people with solo’s.

• Ballard Opera started in England.• A famous Ballard Opera is

‘The Beggars Opera’ which is still performed on occasions

today.

Music Halls - 1830• Music halls were a place for all classes of

people to go and listen to music.• Unlike a Ballard opera that would have

benches facing the audience, Music Halls had chairs and tables that people would sit around and would chat and drink.

• When it was made illegal to drink in Music Halls, they were killed off.

• Burlesque Musicals were comedy entertainment showing a funny story with songs.

• Burlesque used to be a short part of the evening and would be doubled up with a another musical type.

• Burlesque grew longer and longer until it became

a musical type which would last all evening.

Burlesque - 1860

Vaudeville - 1870

• Vaudeville was a light hearted entertainment and would include a wide variety of acts.

• There would be a mixture of acts put on in one evening such as Dancers, comedians, acrobats & loads more.

• Vaudeville died out as if failed to adjust to the changing times and the

public lost interest.

Golden Age Musical - 1940

• Golden Age Musicals are, even now, well known musicals.

• The songs were pacifically written to fit in with a story.

• They brought in famous actors to take the lead roles.• The Golden Age was • also when we first saw Musicals • take to the screen such as • ‘Summer Holiday’ with• Sir Cliff Richard.

Musicals post 2000

• The majority of musicals that are around to day are aimed at Children such as High School Musical.

• Musicals are no longer just stage shows, they are now also major motion pictures, sometimes making millions of pounds.

• More Golden age musicals such as ‘Phantom of The Opera’ or ‘Chicago’ are now being made into films.