Presentation is loading. Please wait.

Presentation is loading. Please wait.

The Origins of Theatre. Rituals and Storytelling Primitive cultures had little understanding of natural causes. Rituals Included theatrical elements.Included.

Similar presentations


Presentation on theme: "The Origins of Theatre. Rituals and Storytelling Primitive cultures had little understanding of natural causes. Rituals Included theatrical elements.Included."— Presentation transcript:

1 The Origins of Theatre

2 Rituals and Storytelling Primitive cultures had little understanding of natural causes. Rituals Included theatrical elements.Included theatrical elements. Ex: Weddings, funerals, sacrifices, harvest celebrations, etc.Ex: Weddings, funerals, sacrifices, harvest celebrations, etc. Storytelling: Included theatrical elements. Epic poems and myths were performed by bards (travelling poets).

3 Egyptian (3000 BCE) First to perform drama? Proof = hieroglyphicsFirst to perform drama? Proof = hieroglyphics Five types of plays: Five types of plays: o Pyramid: Soul's journey to next world o Coronation Dance: good fortune for new rule o Heb sed: 30 year reign celebration o Medicinal Play: brings magical healing o Abydos Passion Play: mock battle and funeral

4 Other Early Forms However, no solid script or proof of dramatizations. Indian Theatre (2000BCE)Indian Theatre (2000BCE) o Religious ritualism: hunting role-play and Hindu sacred text Vedas recited as hymns (choral reading) Chinese Theatre (1500BCE)Chinese Theatre (1500BCE) o Shang Dynasty: entertainment with music, clowning and acrobatics o Han Dynasty: Shadow puppetry Hebrew Theatre (300BCE)Hebrew Theatre (300BCE) o Song of Solomon: poetic language o Book of Job: 5 act play

5 Greek Theatre (500BCE) Bards turned to traveling actors.Bards turned to traveling actors. Priest and chorus became part of theatrePriest and chorus became part of theatre Dithyramb FestivalDithyramb Festival o honours the god Dionysus o competition style in an arena theatre o tragedies versus comedies Thespies: famous actorThespies: famous actor o limit chorus to 15 o added masks

6 Roman (Italian) Theatre (500BCE) Romans borrowed; like entertainment valueRomans borrowed; like entertainment value Added many new elementsAdded many new elements Christianity blockChristianity block Renaissance revivalRenaissance revival

7 English (UK) Theatre (400ACE) Medieval times: troupes and minstrelsMedieval times: troupes and minstrels Myster plays: plot pushMyster plays: plot push Morality plays: religious influenceMorality plays: religious influence Licensing and businessLicensing and business Pop writers:Pop writers: o Christopher Marlowe o Shakespeare o Thomas Kyd o Ben Johnson Theatre spacesTheatre spaces


Download ppt "The Origins of Theatre. Rituals and Storytelling Primitive cultures had little understanding of natural causes. Rituals Included theatrical elements.Included."

Similar presentations


Ads by Google