Greek Theatre

Greek Theatre

Greek TheatreMYP Unit Question:How can elements of Greek Theatre still be relevant in a modern piece of theatre?

Why Did Greeks Develop Theatre? In groups of 3 discuss why YOU think the Greeks developed theatre.Why Did the Greeks Develop Theatre? At first the theatres were built for festivals and celebrations.

They wanted to show their respects to Dionysusthe god of wine and procreation!

The plays were to give a lesson to the people - DIADACTIC PURPOSE

It developed out of a ritual tradition, celebrating Dionysus.It was a mixture of song and dance called diathrambMany words in theatre find their roots in Greek as well, such as theatre (THEATRONseeing place) and drama (DRANto do).Ancient Greek Theatre

Where is this theatre?Theatre of DionysusTarragona Amphitheatre

A Roman theatre, but the Romans copied the Greeks with this structure.

Space chorus used to dance.Space for the principle actors to perform.Sloped seating for the audience.

The ChorusChorus: One of the most effective and important roles in Greek Theatre.Between 12-15 men that were masked and costumed the same.Often properly trained in singing and dancing.They speak some of the most important lines in the play. Often times they tell the story while the actors perform the actions.They always speak together and move together. The chorus usually stays in one area of the stage, but has the freedom to move enter and exit.

From the comedy Frogs

Chorus.Demeter, grant thatwe perform plenty that is funny, and at the same time plenty that is serious

Muse, come and see this great mass of people, sitting in their sophisticated thousands

Its right and proper for the festival chorus to give good advice and sound lessons to our city.Example text of the chorus introducing a drama.

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