The Origins of TheatreThe Origins of Theatre

  

Rituals and StorytellingRituals and StorytellingPrimitive cultures had little understanding of natural causes.Primitive cultures had little understanding of natural causes.

RitualsRituals• Included theatrical Included theatrical

elements.elements.• Ex: Weddings, funerals, Ex: Weddings, funerals,

sacrifices, harvest sacrifices, harvest celebrations, etc.celebrations, etc.

Storytelling:Storytelling:• Included theatrical Included theatrical

elements.elements.• Epic poems and  myths Epic poems and  myths

were performed by bards were performed by bards (travelling poets).(travelling poets).

Egyptian (3000 BCE)Egyptian (3000 BCE)

• First to perform drama? Proof = First to perform drama? Proof = hieroglyphicshieroglyphics

•   Five types of plays:Five types of plays:o   Pyramid: Soul's journey to Pyramid: Soul's journey to

next worldnext worldo   Coronation Dance: good Coronation Dance: good

fortune for new rulefortune for new ruleo Heb sed: 30 year reign Heb sed: 30 year reign

celebrationcelebrationo Medicinal Play: brings magical Medicinal Play: brings magical

healinghealingo Abydos Passion Play: mock Abydos Passion Play: mock

battle and funeralbattle and funeral

Other Early FormsOther Early FormsHowever, no solid script or proof of dramatizations.However, no solid script or proof of dramatizations.

• Indian Theatre (2000BCE)Indian Theatre (2000BCE)o Religious ritualism: hunting role-play and Hindu Religious ritualism: hunting role-play and Hindu

sacred text  Vedas recited as hymns (choral reading)sacred text  Vedas recited as hymns (choral reading)• Chinese Theatre (1500BCE)Chinese Theatre (1500BCE)

o Shang Dynasty: entertainment with music, clowning Shang Dynasty: entertainment with music, clowning and acrobaticsand acrobatics

o Han Dynasty: Shadow puppetryHan Dynasty: Shadow puppetry• Hebrew Theatre (300BCE)Hebrew Theatre (300BCE)

o Song of Solomon: poetic languageSong of Solomon: poetic languageo Book of Job: 5 act playBook of Job: 5 act play

Greek Theatre (500BCE)Greek Theatre (500BCE)

• Bards turned to traveling Bards turned to traveling actors.actors.

• Priest and chorus became Priest and chorus became part of theatre part of theatre 

• Dithyramb FestivalDithyramb Festivalo honours the god honours the god

DionysusDionysuso   competition style in competition style in

an arena theatrean arena theatreo tragedies versus tragedies versus

comediescomedies• Thespies: famous actorThespies: famous actor

o limit chorus to 15limit chorus to 15o added masksadded masks

Roman (Italian) Theatre (500BCE)Roman (Italian) Theatre (500BCE)

• Romans borrowed; like Romans borrowed; like entertainment valueentertainment value

• Added many new elementsAdded many new elements              • Christianity blockChristianity block• Renaissance revivalRenaissance revival

English (UK) Theatre (400ACE)English (UK) Theatre (400ACE)• Medieval times: Medieval times:

troupes and minstrelstroupes and minstrels• Myster plays: plot Myster plays: plot

pushpush• Morality plays: Morality plays:

religious influencereligious influence• Licensing and Licensing and

businessbusiness• Pop writers:Pop writers:

o Christopher Christopher MarloweMarlowe

o ShakespeareShakespeareo Thomas KydThomas Kydo Ben JohnsonBen Johnson

• Theatre spacesTheatre spaces