Ancient Greek and Roman Theatre

Ancient Greek Theatre

• Emerged in 6th century BCE, Athens, Greece
• Influenced by myth, ritual, and poetry
• Key figures:
  • Thespis (first actor)
  • Aeschylus (first playwright)
  • Sophocles (added third actor)
  • Euripides (focused on human psychology)
  • Aristophanes (comedy playwright)
• Characteristics:
  • Tragedies (e.g., Oedipus Rex) and comedies
  • Use of masks, choruses, and minimal sets
  • Outdoor amphitheaters (e.g., Theatre of Dionysus)

Roman Theatre

• Developed from Greek theatre, 2nd century BCE
• Influenced by Greek and Etruscan traditions
• Key features:
  • Amphitheaters (e.g., Colosseum)
  • Mimes and pantomimes
  • Use of scenery and stage machinery
  • Popular entertainment (e.g., gladiatorial contests)

Medieval Theatre

• Emerged in Europe, 5th century CE
• Influenced by Christian church and folk traditions
• Key features:
  • Mystery plays (e.g., Passion Play)
  • Morality plays (e.g., Everyman)
  • Use of pageants, processions, and outdoor performances
  • Actors were often amateurs or clergy

Renaissance Theatre

• Developed in Europe, 15th century CE
• Influenced by classical Greek and Roman theatre
• Key features:
  • Revival of classical drama (e.g., Shakespeare)
  • Emergence of professional theatre companies
  • Use of perspective scenery and stage machinery
  • Development of commedia dell'arte

17th and 18th Centuries

• Developed in Europe, particularly England and France
• Key features:
  • Restoration comedy (e.g., Wycherley, Congreve)
  • Development of neoclassicism (e.g., Racine, Molière)
  • Emergence of actresses (e.g., Nell Gwyn)
  • Use of proscenium arch and perspective scenery

19th and 20th Centuries

• Developed in Europe and Americas
• Key features:
  • Realism and naturalism (e.g., Ibsen, Chekhov)
  • Development of avant-garde and experimental theatre
  • Emergence of modernist movements (e.g., Expressionism, Surrealism)
  • Influence of non-Western theatre traditions (e.g., Kabuki, Noh)

Non-Western Theatre Traditions

• Developed in Asia, Africa, and Americas
• Key features:
  • Traditional forms (e.g., Noh, Kabuki, Kathakali)
  • Influenced by local mythology, folklore, and culture
  • Use of masks, puppets, and stylized movement
  • Often performed in outdoor or ritual settings

Ancient Greek Theatre

• Emerged in 6th century BCE, Athens, Greece, influenced by myth, ritual, and poetry
• Thespis, the first actor, introduced the concept of acting
• Aeschylus, the first playwright, wrote tragedies and developed the art of drama
• Sophocles added a third actor, increasing the dramatic possibilities
• Euripides focused on human psychology, exploring complexities of human nature
• Aristophanes, a comedy playwright, used satire and irony to comment on society
• Tragedies, like Oedipus Rex, and comedies were the main genres
• Masks, choruses, and minimal sets were used to convey meaning and emotion
• Outdoor amphitheaters, like the Theatre of Dionysus, were used for performances

Roman Theatre

• Developed from Greek theatre, 2nd century BCE, incorporating Greek and Etruscan traditions
• Amphitheaters, like the Colosseum, were built for large-scale entertainment
• Mimes and pantomimes were popular forms of entertainment
• Scenery and stage machinery were used to create elaborate productions
• Gladiatorial contests were a common form of entertainment

Medieval Theatre

• Emerged in Europe, 5th century CE, influenced by Christian church and folk traditions
• Mystery plays, like the Passion Play, retold biblical stories
• Morality plays, like Everyman, conveyed moral lessons and teachings
• Pageants, processions, and outdoor performances were common
• Actors were often amateurs or clergy, with limited professional training

Renaissance Theatre

• Developed in Europe, 15th century CE, reviving classical Greek and Roman drama
• Classical drama was revived, influencing playwrights like Shakespeare
• Professional theatre companies emerged, with trained actors and directors
• Perspective scenery and stage machinery were used to create illusions
• Commedia dell'arte, a improvisational form, emerged in Italy

17th and 18th Centuries

• Developed in Europe, particularly England and France, with a focus on Restoration comedy
• Playwrights like Wycherley and Congreve wrote witty, satirical comedies
• Neoclassicism, led by Racine and Molière, emphasized classical forms and structure
• Actresses, like Nell Gwyn, emerged, challenging traditional gender roles
• The proscenium arch and perspective scenery became common features

19th and 20th Centuries

• Developed in Europe and Americas, with a focus on realism and naturalism
• Playwrights like Ibsen and Chekhov pushed the boundaries of drama
• Avant-garde and experimental theatre emerged, challenging traditional forms
• Modernist movements, like Expressionism and Surrealism, influenced theatre
• Non-Western theatre traditions, like Kabuki and Noh, influenced Western theatre

Non-Western Theatre Traditions

• Developed in Asia, Africa, and Americas, with unique cultural and mythological influences
• Traditional forms, like Noh, Kabuki, and Kathakali, were highly stylized and formalized
• Masks, puppets, and stylized movement were used to convey meaning and emotion
• Often performed in outdoor or ritual settings, blending theatre and ceremony

Learn about the emergence of ancient Greek theatre in 6th century BCE Athens, its characteristics, and key figures. Also, explore the development of Roman theatre.