Additional
Teacher
Resource Pack
Treading the Boards series
The History of
Theatre
ISBN 9781907948275
© Copyright Classroom Video Ltd. You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further
downloads, copying or printing MUST be reported to The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) as per the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988.
0117 929 1924
0117 930 4345
www.ClassroomVideo.co.uk
Treading the Boards series
The History of Theatre
ISBN 9781907948275
For Teachers
Brief Summary of Programme
As a history of the theatre and drama, this programme will take students from the Greeks to the
Modern day, via Medieval, Restoration and Renaissance plays. Including interviews with experts, the
film explores the features of different play styles, staging and acting. The chapters can be used as a
stimulus for devised work, further research projects or for developing a better understanding of
historical context.
DVD Timeline
00:00 – 01:00
01:00 – 08:30
08:31 – 12:30
12:31 – 17:35
17:36 – 22:55
22:56 – 28:00
28:01 – 28:58
28:59 – END
Introduction
It’s All Greek to Me
Medieval Theatre
Commedia dell’Arte
Renaissance and Restoration
Modern Theatre
Conclusion
Credits
Other Background Information for Teachers
The history of theatre goes back to around 600BC when the choros, originally a group of dancing
maidens, began performing. Later dances in honour of Dionysus were incorporated to Greek theatre
and by 450BC prizes had been awarded to Thespis for acting in a drama competition and to
Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides for their tragedy plays.
th
In the 12 Century, the first Mystery play, The Mystery of Adam was performed in France. From this
came the English cycles of mystery plays, performed on carts by travelling troupes of actors. A few
centuries later in Italy, the wonderful commedia dell’arte with its use of the grotesque and masks came
into being.
During the 1600s, in a period now referred to as the Renaissance, theatre became increasingly
popular. James Burbage’s first theatre, called The Theatre, was built in London in 1576. Marlowe and
Shakespeare wrote for dedicated companies of actors, and even performed themselves.
In 1642 the theatres in England were closed by parliament, and remained so until the Restoration of
Charles II to the throne in 1660. From this time, women were allowed to appear on stage, and the
plays of this time are associated with gossip, ribaldry and bawdiness.
Over time, theatre performance became more closely reflective of real life, and actors moved away
from stock movements to the more naturalistic acting we recognise today. Theatre by its very nature is
experimental and is constantly pushing boundaries. Despite the changes and developments
throughout the centuries, however we can still clearly recognise the roots of modern theatre in those
Ancient Greek performances.
2
©Classroom Video Ltd www.ClassroomVideo.co.uk
Reproducing or downloading this resource pack:
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further downloads, copying or printing
MUST be reported to The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) as per the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988.
Treading the Boards series
The History of Theatre
ISBN 9781907948275
Curriculum Links
KS3 / 4 – Speaking and Listening
1 Listening and responding
2 Speaking and presenting
•
1.1 Developing active listening skills and strategies
•
2.1 Developing and adapting speaking skills and strategies in
formal and informal contexts
2.2 Using and adapting the conventions and forms of spoken
texts
•
•
3 Group discussion and
interaction
•
•
4 Drama, role-play and
performance
•
3.1 Developing and adapting discussion skills and strategies in
formal and informal contexts
3.2 Taking roles in group discussion
4.1 Using different dramatic approaches to explore ideas, texts
and issues
4.2 Developing, adapting and responding to dramatic
techniques, conventions and styles
KS4/5 Drama and Theatre Studies
Assessment Objectives:
• Performing and Designing
• Knowledge, Understanding and Evaluation
• Interpreting Plays
Related DVDs Available from Classroom Video Ltd.
From the Treading the Boards series:
Cutting It in Costume
From Page to Stage
Also available:
Creating Physical Theatre
Devising Work
Mime
Please contact customer services on 0117 929 1924
or visit www.ClassroomVideo.co.uk to see our full range of Drama and Theatre Studies titles.
3
©Classroom Video Ltd www.ClassroomVideo.co.uk
Reproducing or downloading this resource pack:
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further downloads, copying or printing
MUST be reported to The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) as per the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988.
Treading the Boards series
The History of Theatre
ISBN 9781907948275
Other Useful Links
http://www.theatrehistory.com/
Detailed history of theatre plus archived scripts to download
http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/virtualtour/
Virtual tour of The Globe theatre
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/primaryhistory/ancient_greeks/arts_and_theatre/
A friendly look at Ancient Greek theatre
http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?ParagraphID=cui
Detailed history of theatre along with timelines
Suggested Activities Before Viewing the Programme
1. Draw a picture of a theatre you have visited. Then draw a plan of the theatre. Label as many areas
of the theatre as you can. Use books and the internet to help you.
2. When do you think theatre began? Make a group mindmap including everything you know about
the history of theatre.
3. In pairs put the following elements of the theatre into rank order of importance for an audience.
Share your ideas with the rest of the group and discuss any differences:
a. Set design
b. Lighting
c. Plot
d. Famous actors
e. Costume
f. Well-known director
g. Familiar playwright
h. Comfortable seats
i. Location of theatre
Return to this list after viewing the programme and discuss how the importance of each element has
changed over time.
4. Discuss the importance of understanding the history of theatre. Does it affect our ability to enjoy a
performance? Does what has happened in the past influence what happens now? Should modern
plays use elements of ancient theatre? Revisit this discussion after watching the programme.
5. Find out the names of six playwrights, each from different eras. As you watch the programme,
notice if any of those on your list are mentioned.
4
©Classroom Video Ltd www.ClassroomVideo.co.uk
Reproducing or downloading this resource pack:
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further downloads, copying or printing
MUST be reported to The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) as per the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988.
Treading the Boards series
The History of Theatre
ISBN 9781907948275
Student Worksheet
While Viewing the Programme
1. Why does Ian Wainwright consider Ancient Greek theatre to be so important?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. What is the round Greek open air theatre known as?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Up to how many people would be in a theatre Audience in Ancient Greece?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Which two elements of theatre did the Ancient Greeks develop and make use of?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. What was the key factor in making the move from story-telling to drama?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Who was Dionysus?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Name one of the famous Greek playwrights.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
th
8. Why were theatres closed down in the 4 century?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9. What were the Mystery plays?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. Where were Mystery plays staged?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. What does the term Renaissance refer to?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5
©Classroom Video Ltd www.ClassroomVideo.co.uk
Reproducing or downloading this resource pack:
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further downloads, copying or printing
MUST be reported to The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) as per the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988.
Treading the Boards series
The History of Theatre
ISBN 9781907948275
12. What was Commedia dell’Arte like?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
13. What did Commedia actors use as a basis for their comic improvisations?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
14. What skills did Commedia performers need?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
15. When was the first permanent playhouse in London built and by whom?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
16. Why was Shakespeare financially successful?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
17. What are the differences, according to Ian Wainright, between a Shakespearean audience and a
modern day one?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
18. What closed the theatres in 1648? And what event saw them reopening in 1660?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
19. Name one playwright who began writing in the new style called Naturalism.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
20. How did Stanislavsky influence the development of theatre?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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©Classroom Video Ltd www.ClassroomVideo.co.uk
Reproducing or downloading this resource pack:
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further downloads, copying or printing
MUST be reported to The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) as per the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988.
Treading the Boards series
The History of Theatre
ISBN 9781907948275
Suggested Student Responses
1. Why does Ian Wainwright consider Ancient Greek theatre to be so important?
It’s where modern theatre originated.
2. What is the round Greek open air theatre known as?
An amphitheatre
3. Up to how many people would be in a theatre Audience in Ancient Greece?
15,000
4. Which two elements of theatre did the Ancient Greeks develop and make use of?
The chorus and masks.
5. What was the key factor in making the move from story-telling to drama?
The addition of dialogue – characters talking to each other.
6. Who was Dionysus?
The god of wine and fertility.
7. Name one of the famous Greek playwrights.
Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides
th
8. Why were theatres closed down in the 4 century?
The Romans became Christians.
9. What were the Mystery plays?
Cycles of religious plays in England, often performed in carnivals around Springtime.
10. Where were Mystery plays staged?
On outdoor platforms, or on carts pulled through the town.
11. What does the term Renaissance refer to?
The revival of Greek and Roman art, drama, literature and philosophy in Europe.
12. What was Commedia dell’Arte like?
Loud, rude, satirical and funny! The actors were both male and female.
13. What did Commedia actors use as a basis for their comic improvisations?
Scenarios – outlines of plot, rather than set scripts.
14. What skills did Commedia performers need?
Acrobatics, singing, dancing, music and improvisation.
15. When was the first permanent playhouse in London built and by whom?
1576 by James Burbage
16. Why was Shakespeare financially successful?
He was a shareholder in The Globe Theatre.
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©Classroom Video Ltd www.ClassroomVideo.co.uk
Reproducing or downloading this resource pack:
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further downloads, copying or printing
MUST be reported to The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) as per the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988.
Treading the Boards series
The History of Theatre
ISBN 9781907948275
17. What are the differences, according to Ian Wainright, between a Shakespearean audience and a
modern day one?
In a modern day theatre the lights go down in the auditorium and the audience are very quiet
and polite. In Shakespeare’s time the audience were rowdy and would throw things or shout
out if they did not enjoy a play.
18. What closed the theatres in 1648? And what event saw them reopening in 1660?
The Puritan Parliament closed the theatres. The Restoration of King Charles II to the throne in
1660 brought theatre back to England.
19. Name one playwright who began writing in the new style called Naturalism.
Chekov or Ibsen
20. How did Stanislavsky influence the development of theatre?
He advocated proper training, longer rehearsals and ensemble playing.
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©Classroom Video Ltd www.ClassroomVideo.co.uk
Reproducing or downloading this resource pack:
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further downloads, copying or printing
MUST be reported to The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) as per the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988.
Treading the Boards series
The History of Theatre
ISBN 9781907948275
Suggested Activities for After the Programme
1. Create a timeline featuring the major events in the history of theatre. Use the internet and library
to source pictures and quotations to make your timeline visually appealing.
2. Choose an extract from a modern play script and try performing it as if it had been written during
the time of the Ancient Greeks. How will you adapt the script to incorporate a chorus? Make masks for
the characters and think about your performance space. Perform your piece to the rest of the group.
3. In pairs write a twenty question quiz on the history of theatre and challenge another pair to take
your quiz. You could present this in a dramatic form, as if it were a televised quiz show!
4. Choose one of the playwrights mentioned in the film and research their life in detail. Prepare an
informative leaflet and presentation about their life and plays.
5. Watch a recent episode of a soap opera and compare the characters and plot lines with those in
previous historical forms of theatre. Do you notice any themes or reoccurring ideas?
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©Classroom Video Ltd www.ClassroomVideo.co.uk
Reproducing or downloading this resource pack:
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further downloads, copying or printing
MUST be reported to The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) as per the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988.
Treading the Boards series
The History of Theatre
ISBN 9781907948275
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Reproducing or downloading this resource pack:
You may download and print one copy of these support notes from our website for your reference. Further downloads, copying or printing
MUST be reported to The Copyright Licensing Agency (CLA) as per the Copyright, Design and Patents Act, 1988.