… Theatre …

All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages.
William Shakespeare

Origins of Theatre

Typically the Ancient Greeks are attributed with the birth of theatre through their ability to tell stories dramatically, however there is evidence of music and dance in religious festivals in ancient Egypt.

The Amphitheatre

Amphitheatres were centres of entertainment in Roman times. They were used for witnessing gladiator fights, similar to bullfighting in Spain today. Other uses of the Amphitheatre were public executions and mass games. Their structure was based on the Greek amphitheatre.

The Globe Theatre

Shakespeare is a huge figure in the theatrical world, more renowned than other playwrights of the same era. The Globe Theatre, London 1997 was originally constructed at the end of the XVI century by the theatre company to which Shakespeare belonged. The globe was destroyed by fire in 1613, reconstructed soon after but ordered closed alongside all other theatres in London in 1642. The Globe is referred to in Shakespeare’s works.

Seats were available at a price for the riches, then cheap seats and the pit for the poor people. Standing in the pit was worth a mere penny. Theatre as we know it today is in large part thanks to Shakespeare and The Globe Theatre.

The Colosseum, Rome (above) is an enormous stone amphitheatre which was constructed around the years 70 – 72 A.D. Upon it’s opening there were 100 days of games for entertainment.

Two houses, both alike in dignity,
In fair Verona,
where we lay our scene,
From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,
Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean
Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare

There are men that fight one day and are good,
Others fight one year and they’re better,
And there are those who fight many years and are very good,
But there are the ones who fight their whole lives and those are the indispensable ones.
Mother Courage and Her Children, Bertolt Brech

We’ve all come a long way. To our courage and the way we changed our lives and our extraordinary achievements.
Top Girls, Caryl Churchill

… Developments …

Today´s theatre is home to almost anything imaginable. From traditional theatre to musicals, opera, talent competitions, stand-up comedians, pantomime, interactive plays, ‘the blind theatre‘, concerts, gigs, the circus, conferences, lectures, dance performance and the list goes on.

The Mask

The classic symbol which represents theatre is two masks; one representing tragedy and the other comedy, these can be traced back to Ancient Greece. Actors would play several different characters. The use of the mask in Ancient Greece allowed actors to play several characters.

The mask in Ancient Greece was made of wood or leather so as to amplify the actors’ voice. The mask has a long history in many cultures dispersed across the world. Japan and Italy certainly have some interesting creations. The mask also has a huge role in African culture.

The image to the right are funny faces in Vietnam.

Props

Objects – ‘props’ formerly known as property are used to create ambience on stage or screen. Props help actors to interpret their roles and can help the audience to understand what is happening.

Props add authenticity to any theatrical or dramatic production. From the stage to the T.V. props are props. Even the ancient Greeks used props, the mask.