Greek Theatre Research
The Greek Theatre
Most Greek cities had a theatre. It was in the open air, and was usually a bowl-shaped arena on a hillside.
Some theatres were very big, with room for more than 15,000 people in the audience.
Some theatres were very big, with room for more than 15,000 people in the audience.
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| Picture - Google Images/ www.resources.mhs.vic.edu.au |
All the actors were men or boys.
Dancers and singers, called the chorus, performed on a flat area called the orchestra. Over time, solo actors also took part, and a raised stage became part of the theatre.
The actors changed costumes in a hut called the "skene". Painting the walls of the hut made the first scenery.
Dancers and singers, called the chorus, performed on a flat area called the orchestra. Over time, solo actors also took part, and a raised stage became part of the theatre.
The actors changed costumes in a hut called the "skene". Painting the walls of the hut made the first scenery.
The plays were comedies or tragedies.
The 'Theatron' is the place where the audience and viewers of the play sat. The word 'Theatron; means ' viewing place' in ancient greek.
*The Orchestra (1)- The orchestra was in front of the auditorium. Behind the orchestra was the skene.
The Seating (6) - The seats were arranged in curving tiers, so that the people in the rows above could see the action in the orchestra and on stage without their vision being obscured by the people beneath them.
The earliest Greeks who came to watched the performances probably sat on the grass or stood on the hillside to watch. Soon there were wooden benches. Later, the audience sat on benches cut from the rock of the hillside or made of stone.
There was a special block of seats reserved for members of the boulê, the 500-member Executive Council of the Assembly. Ordinary citizens might have been assigned seats.
Source: Website
Date of Post published: -
Name of page: BBC
Available from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/ancient_greeks/arts_and_theatre/
Date Assessed on: 14th October 2014*The Orchestra (1)- The orchestra was in front of the auditorium. Behind the orchestra was the skene.
The Stage (2) - This is where most of the plays were performed.
The Parodos (3) - The Parodoi was a side entrance, where the audience and actors entered and exited from.
The Altar (4) - The altar was located in the middle of the orchestra
The Skene (5) - The skene was not originally a permanent building. The Skene was usually a building behind the playing area the was a hut for the changing of mask and costumes, emerged from it through a few doors. Later, the flat-roofed wooden skene provided an elevated performance surface, like the modern stage.The Parodos (3) - The Parodoi was a side entrance, where the audience and actors entered and exited from.
The Altar (4) - The altar was located in the middle of the orchestra
The Seating (6) - The seats were arranged in curving tiers, so that the people in the rows above could see the action in the orchestra and on stage without their vision being obscured by the people beneath them.
The earliest Greeks who came to watched the performances probably sat on the grass or stood on the hillside to watch. Soon there were wooden benches. Later, the audience sat on benches cut from the rock of the hillside or made of stone.
There was a special block of seats reserved for members of the boulê, the 500-member Executive Council of the Assembly. Ordinary citizens might have been assigned seats.
Source: Website
Date of Post published: -
Name of page: About Education
Available from: http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/greektheater/ss/120109GreekTheater_2.htm
Date Assessed on: 14th October 2014 |
| Picture - Google Images. |
What were Greek plays like?
Greek actors wore masks, made from stiffened linen, with holes for eyes and mouth.
Actors also wore wigs. They wore thick soled shoes too, to make them look taller, and padded costumes to make them look fatter or stronger. The masks showed the audience what kind of character an actor was playing (sad, angry or funny). Some masks had two sides, so the actor could turn them round to suit the mood for each scene.
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| Picture - Goggle Images. |
The best actors and play writers were awarded prizes - a bit like the Hollywood Oscars and BAFTAs today.
The most famous writers of plays were Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides for tragedy and Aristophanes.
The most famous writers of plays were Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides for tragedy and Aristophanes.
Source: Website
Date of Post published: -
Name of page: BBC
Available from: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/ancient_greeks/arts_and_theatre/
Date Assessed on: 14th October 2014
Typical Structure of a Tragedy
- Prologue: A monologue or dialogue preceding the entry of the chorus, which presents the tragedy's topic.
- Parode (Entrance Ode): The entry chant of the chorus, marching rhythm . Generally, they remain on stage throughout the remainder of the play. Although they wear masks, their dancing is expressive, as conveyed by the hands, arms and body.
- Episode: There are several episodes (typically 3-5) in which one or two actors interact with the chorus. They are, at least in part, sung or chanted.
- Stasimon (Stationary Song)
- Exode (Exit Ode): The exit song of the chorus after the last episode.
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| Picture - Google Images. |
Typical Structure of a Comedy
The chorus in a COMEDY PLAY is also larger: 24 (as opposed to 12-15).
- Prologue: As in tragedies.
- Parode (Entrance Ode): As in tragedies, but the chorus takes up a position either for or against the hero.
- Agôn (Contest): Two speakers debate the issue and the first speaker loses. Chorus songs may occur towards the end.
- Parabasis (Coming Forward): After the other characters have left the stage, the chorus
- Episode: As in tragedies, but primarily elaborating on the outcome of the agon.
- Exode (Exit Song): As in tragedy, but with a mood of celebration and possibly with a riotous revel (cômos), joyous marriage, or both.
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