Theatre History Part 2

1. Theatre History Part 2 Drama 2205

2. Middle Ages -1800 • Middle ages in Europe called the dark ages because there was little to no cultural activity. • Three types of plays that were presented in the Middle Ages were; • Mystery Plays: Bible stories reenacted. • Miracle Plays: Enacting the lives of saints. • Morality Plays: stories teaching right from wrong.

3. Middle ages.. continued • In the 10th century a nun wrote religious comedy that was performed at the cathedral mansions. • Drama was at the church because it became popular and the crowds began to grow so much that it was moved outside to the market place. • The plays had special effects and large sets. Groups of people would take on the task of building. Ex: shipbuilders built Noah’s Ark. These type of plays were presented at festivals!

4. Passion Plays • Evolved during the late middle ages. • Depicted scenes from Christ’s life, particularly his last days and resurrection. • The passion play of Oberammergau Germany is still performed. • Residents of this village would dramatize a passion play believing it would spare them from the black plague. Their village was indeed spared.

5. The end of Passion Plays • The effects of Medieval Passion plays were felt later in theatre history. Audience members were brought closer to performers. The playing area provided freedom and the art of acting was as important as the dialogue. • Medieval drama brought a mixture of comic and serious drama. This was later me imitated by improvisational players in Italy and writers in England.

6. Renaissance Theatre • Renaissance means rebirth in French! • Strong activity in all arts areas. Ex Leonardo da Vinci. • Commedia dell’arte: professional improvised comedy performed in the streets for masses. Descended from Roman comedy. Included the first women on stage! • Included a company of seven men and three women who performed action, dialogue, song and dance. • Scenarios involved love and intrigue.

7. Renaissance Continued • Spanish Theatre was also booming around this time. They were influenced by the Italian's but were free from classical rules for example number of performers on stage. Spanish writers ignored ideas of time and place and wrote flowing dialogue and centered the action around adventure, romance, and chivalry. • French Theatre: developed into entertainment mainly for royalty. Followed the tradition of luxurious surroundings for nobles. Most notable plays were based on witty satire. Ex: The doctor in spite of himself.

8. Elizabethan Theatre • Named for the period of Queen Elizabeth’s reign in 1558-1603. • The queen commanded many court performances and protected many actors through court sponsorship. • The queen looked at London’s dramatic activity with much approval. • Elizabethan playwrights wrote mixed poetry and prose and intermixed comedy and tragedy.

9. Elizabethan • Christopher Marlowe: Considered one of the greatest dramatists of tragedy of England. He lived only till 29 but in his short life he wrote seven plays. • Ben Jonson: classic playwright. Much of his work was of humorous nature. When King James inherited the throne Jonson was entertainer of the court. He used masques, extravagant songs, dances, and recitation. It is said that James spent the equivalent of our $500,000 on lavish sets and costumes for one of Jonson’s plays.

10. William Shakespeare • Considered the greatest of the English dramatists. • Attended grammar school no other formal education. • He left his wife and three children and went to London where he began working in the theatre as an actor, manager, and writer. • Wrote thirty seven plays that contained comedies, tragedies, and fantasies. • His plays used skillful plot, character development,and an astonishing use of language.

11. Shakespeare Continued • What do you already know about Shakespeare through your own study? Lets have a short discussion. • Biography videohttp://www.biography.com/people/william-shakespeare-9480323/videos • http://www.teachertube.com/viewVideo.php?video_id=190671

12. Restoration and 18th Century • Elizabethan playhouses had been torn down and as a result new indoor theatres were built. • Candles and Oil lamps provided light for indoor theatres and women were allowed to perform. • The audience was sophisticated and wealthy. • The plays that were staged at this time were comedies that satirized these people as also being concerned with foolish pleasures. • The restoration ended in 1737. However it important to be aware of this time because it is the beginning of indoor theatre based on its own audiences.