GREEK THEATRE
Fill out the first column of the chart with what you already know about Greek Theatre, then fill out the second column with what you would like to find out. Towards the end of the unit you will fill in the last column with what you have learnt about Greek Theatre. K W PREDICTION (What I think Greek Theatre is?) Was your prediction right? L BACKGROUND INFORMATION
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2500 years ago (2000 years before Shakespeare) Western theatre was born in Greece It evolved from religious rites worshipping the god of fertility and wine, Dionysus By 600 BC, the ‘Rites of Dionysus’ evolved into what we know today as theatre Around 406 BC, the ‘golden era’ of Greek Theatre was waning. Theatre did not return to the same creative heights until Elizabethan England two millennia later Form of the Play: Ø Prologos: Spoken by one or two characters before chorus appears. (Can be whole cast – spoken in chorus). The prologue usually gives the mythological background necessary for understanding the events of the play. Ø Parodos: This is the sung / spoken by the chorus as it first enters the orchestra and dances. Ø First Epeissodies: This is the first of many "episodes", when the characters and chorus talk – conventions to be used to explore the myth. Ø First Stasimon: At the end of each episode, the other characters usually leave the stage and the chorus dances and sings a stasimon, or choral ode. The ode usually reflects on the things said and done in the episodes, and puts it into some kind of larger mythological framework. Ø Second Epeissodies: Story is explored further. Ø Second Stasimon: Song reflecting what has been explored in the 2nd episode. Ø Third Epeissodies: Story is explored further. Ø Third Stasimon: Song reflecting what has been explored in the 3rd episode. Ø Exodus: At the end of play, the chorus exits singing a processional song / dialogue which usually offers words of wisdom related to the actions and outcome of the play. The Theatre and Staging: Ø The ancient Greek Theatre was composed by 3 major parts: orchestra, scene, and koilon (main theatre) Ø The words theatre and amphitheatre derive from the Greek word theatron, which referred to the wooden spectator stands built on the hillsides Ø Plays were performed during the day Actors, Chorus and Acting: Ø At first the plays were presented by only the chorus, but around 600-­‐500 BC, a poet called Thespis, a member of the chorus, stepped apart from the chorus and started a dialogue with them. In doing this, he became the first actor Ø The actors (or hypocrites) were always men Ø At first, actors were chosen by the poets who wrote the play. In the 5th Century, they were chosen by the state Ø The chorus were considered to be the mouth-­‐piece of society and morality Ø The chorus consisted originally of 12 members until Sophocles added 3 more Ø Due to the distance between the actors and the audience, gestures needed to be larger than life, simple and expressive. Gestures were stylized rather than natural Ø Voices needed to be clear, strong and fully projected Mask: Ø
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Enabled actors to play many roles and change quickly from one role to another Allowed the huge (distant) crowd on the hillside to easily identify the characters and their emotions Brass mouthpieces were placed in the mouths of the masks to provide resonance to the actors voice Masks were necessary for the men to play female roles Masks were usually made of linen, wood, or leather. A marble or stone face was used as a mould, and either human or animal hair was used. The eyes were fully drawn but in place of the pupil was a small hole so that the actor could see GREEK THEATRE QUESTIONS
In your own words, summarize the background of Greek Theatre. Why do you think Greek Theatre has been so influential on theatre today? What are your initial observations of Greek Theatre? GREEK THEATRE PLAYS
The Greek playwrights wrote 3 different kinds of plays: Tragedy, Comedy, Satyr. TYPES OF PLAYS
Tragedy
Comedy
Satyr
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Plays that told stories to show right and wrong. Told people’s stories where they had come into conflict with society’s rules, or fate. Quite often the main person in the story had a character weakness or strength.
Plays which were about their own society, politics, literature and war. Mainly based on ‘happy’ ideas.
Plays which poked fun at gods and heroes. They used the Greeks everyday language. The chorus was made up of people playing satyrs – half man, and half beast.
Here are some brief storylines of Greek plays. Underneath each one write what type of play you think it is. Use the definitions above to help you. 1.
A King, who is a father of two boys and two girls, tries to find the murderer of the previous king. After much investigation he discovers he is the murderer and has also married his mother who was married to the previous king. In shame he stabs his eyes out.
Type of Play: 2.
A group of men, dressed in very bizarre clothing, mock the gods and their meddling in people’s lives.
Type of Play: 3.
A young girl is forbidden from burying her brother as he is branded a traitor for attacking their city. She goes against the king’s law and buries her brother and her punishment is to be locked in a cave to die from starvation.
Type of Play: 4.
A group of old men always attend every court case as a jury. Because they are seen to be so mean in their decisions, they wear wasp stings and make a buzzing noise when they enter into the performance area. The audience would have found this a very funny portrayal of their society.
Type of Play: CONVENTIONS OF GREEK THEATRE
CONVENTIONS
Chorus of Movement
Chorus of Voice
Cannoning
Mask
Ø Where actors all move at the same time using the same movements Ø Used to create meaning
Ø Where actors all say the same thing at the same time, and in the same way e.g. tone, pitch, volume etc Ø Used to create meaning
Ø A series of movements that follow each other in quick (or slow) succession, creating a wavelike effect (e.g. a Mexican wave) Ø Used to create meaning
Ø refer PJ 26
Ø The Chorus in the Greek Theatre performed in front of the actors in the area known as the orchestra. Ø The Chorus often spoke their words all at the same time (chorus of voice), and moved at the same time (chorus of movement). Ø Their key role was to provide comments on what had just happened, or on what was about to happen. Their comments sometimes reflected also what the audience could be thinking. You will now respond the following story, Orpheus and Eurydice, by practicing and creating chorus of voice and chorus of movement. Orpheus and Eurydice The story of Orpheus and Eurydice is a tragic one. They were recently married when Eurydice (the wife) was bitten by a snake and went into the Underworld (where the Greeks believed the dead went). Orpheus, who was a talented musician, travelled into the Underworld to bring her back. He got past many of the creatures and people guarding the Underworld because he played music on his lyre to subdue them. Hades (King of the Underworld) said he could have Eurydice back. She was to follow him up to the real world but he was not to turn back until they both reached the light. Orpheus could hear the steps behind him but when he got to the light himself he turned around to cheek if it was his wife behind him. As she hadn’t reached the light yet, all he saw was her drifting all the way back to the Underworld. CHORUS OF VOICE
Imagine you are writing the lines the chorus has to say together when they are performing Orpheus and Eurydice. WRITE AT LEAST 4 LINES FOR EACH SCENE. What would you have them all say, at the same time in each scene? Can you also incorporate cannoning? SCENE
CHORUS OF VOICE
The chorus are villagers who are celebrating the wedding of Orpheus and Eurydice, The chorus are the villagers warning Orpheus not to go down into the Underworld. The chorus are the dead in The Underworld watching Orpheus in their world. The chorus are the villagers again, saying the last five lines of the play which sum up the tragedy. CHORUS OF MOVEMENT
Imagine you are planning how the chorus will move when they are performing Orpheus and Eurydice. WRITE AT LEAST 4 MOVEMENTS FOR EACH SCENE. How would you have them move, at the same time in each scene? Can you also incorporate cannoning? SCENE
CHORUS OF MOVEMENT The chorus are villagers who are celebrating the wedding of Orpheus and Eurydice, The chorus are the villagers warning Orpheus not to go down into the Underworld. The chorus are the dead in The Underworld watching Orpheus in their world. The chorus are the villagers again, saying the last five lines of the play which sum up the tragedy. Self REFLECTION &RESPONSE TO THE
TASK
1. Who was in my group? 2. What characters did they play? 3. What character did I perform today? 4. How did I play this role in performance? 5. What Greek Theatre techniques and conventions did I use and how well did I use them? 6. How well did my group work together as a team? MASK AND COSTUME
MASK AND COSTUME
Tragic Mask
Comedic Mask
Satyr Mask
Tragic Costume
Comedic Costume
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Face fitting with wigs attached. Open mouths.
Meant to be ugly but also silly. Caricatures which had exaggerated features.
Pointed ears. Bearded.
Elaborate clothes with patterns. Different colours used.
Loose body stockings padded at he breast, bottom and on the stomach. Goatskin loin cloths.
Furry shorts! (Remember: the satyr is half man, half beast)
Satyr Costume
Using the descriptions given above, design two masks on the two faced provided. There are examples of masks throughout this pj to give you some ideas – don’t copy, try to be original! GREEK MYTH RESPONSE &PLANNING
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After selecting your group’s myth, you will begin to craft a scene which depicts your scene Then you’ll start planning your myth Use the chart below to storyboard your myth Write the conventions you’ll use in each scene beside your storyboard in the place provided Use the structure of the Greek Tragedy (DW 20) to organise your performance Scene 1:
Movement: Voice: Scene 2:
Movement: Voice: Scene 3:
Movement: Voice: GREEK MYTH PLANNING CONTINUED
Scene 4:
Movement: Voice: Scene 5:
Movement: Voice: Scene 6:
Movement: Voice: Scene 7:
Movement: Voice: REFLECTION
1.How are you feeling about your group? Why?
2.Which scenario did you choose? Why?
3. What ideas do you have for the plot? What contribution did you make to the devising process?
4. Do you have any concerns at this stage?
PLANNING & PUBLIC REHEARSAL
Chorus of Movement Chorus of Voice Cannoning (Movement) Cannoning (Voice) Mask Draw a picture of one of your chorus scenes: Critique for group 1: Critique for group 2: Critique for group 3: Critique for group 4: The feedback I received: What I think about the feedback: What I intend to do about the feedback: PERFORMANCE TARGETS
1. 2. 3. HOTSEATING
Definition: Why it is used: REFLECTION (on your hot-­‐seating experience):