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Theatre History

Theatre History. Chinese and Hindu Theatre. The Beginnings of Chinese Theatre. The beginnings: 2000 BC Used i nterpretive dance D ances told a story Reverence for ancestors Only the people of the Emperor's court saw the dramas.

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Theatre History

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  1. Theatre History Chinese and Hindu Theatre

  2. The Beginnings of Chinese Theatre • The beginnings: • 2000 BC • Used interpretive dance • Dances told a story • Reverence for ancestors • Only the people of the Emperor's court saw the dramas

  3. Religion, philosophy had large influence on Chinese theater: • Confucianism • Stresses responsibility of individual to others • Taoism • Stresses simplicity, patience and nature’s harmony • Shamanism • Rituals combined costumes, song, dance and gesture

  4. Chinese Drama:8th- 9th century AD • Emperor Ming Huang • founded a school for actors • called the Children of the Pear Tree Garden • considered the patron saint of theatre in China to this day Style: • highly formalized • themes- ancestor worship, military glory, faithfulness to husband

  5. End of Ming Haung’s Drama • Mongol invasion 1280 AD • they wanted: (like later Romans) • action • stunts • acrobatics • songs • dances • THE CHALK CIRCLE :Lawsuit-and-trial genre • Bertolt Brecht saw a version and wrote The Caucasian Chalk Circle • THE LUTE SONG (plays from that time):Mixture of high art and popular theatrical traditions • Compared to Elizabethan England and 5th century Greece • When the Communists took over in 1949 it ended this drama- used theatre for government policy

  6. The Peking Opera • Westerners considered the Chinese theatre opera because of the singing • it had a very symbolic quality • most acting was done by men

  7. Style of Peking Opera • Used highly stylized poses and movements • Very graceful • Every gesture meant something • a sleeve over the eyes= weeping • shoulders shaking= grief

  8. Props and costumes • Props were also symbolic • white paper falling= snow • an actor with a flag= army • flag with wavy lines- river • colors= emotions red= faithfulness blue= cruelty white= evil Used thick makeup and dazzling costumes

  9. Theatre of Indian

  10. Characteristics of Sanskrit Drama • They use stories drawn from the great Indian epics • The Mahabharata • The Ramayana • The stages were elaborately decorated • no representational scenery was used • Movements of every part of the body, vocal delivery, and song followed strict codes

  11. Hindu Theatre • Ancient- dates back to 1500 BC • A religious form • real theatre emerged around 5th Century BC • Sanskrit- language theeducated used • Performed in courtyards and gardens of rulers • Actors waited in a “greenroom” before going on stage * we use this term today in drama

  12. Sanskrit Drama: • Written in Sanskrit, the language of the noble classes • performed in court circles • The Natyasastraas example of Indian theatre • Set and scenery • Costumes • Dance and movement

  13. Hindu Theatre • Scenery was a decorated wall • small audiences close to stage • delicate restrained acting styles • plays always ended happily • women were on stage- ( this may have been the first place to allow women) • Next week: Medieval Theatre

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