Summary:
Provides a brief history of the ancient Roman theatre tradition. Focuses on the Theatre in Pompeii and the events which took place there.
Theatre productions in Greek times were rare occasions, which only took place during festivals. These festivals were held though out the year.
Just like modern productions, notices were put up around the city advertising the event. But unlike modern day, all shops were closed and no business was done in the forum.
Early in the morning of the production, a mass of people congregated to the theatre. Men, women, children and slaves all attended. Many of them would bring cushions, so that they did not have to endure the hard seats, made of stone. Some also brought food and drink for the day.
Only town councillors and other important citizens did not have to make a early morning start. These people carried tickets which reserved the best seats at the front. These tickets also indicated what entrance the ticket holder was to use, and where they were to sit. The purpose of these tickets is very similar to modern tickets.
The tickets were made of bone or ivory, and the decoration was engrave onto them. These engravments consisted of the actors' masks, fruit or animals.
Just in the same way as amphitheatres, wealthy citizens paid for all expenses. This included the actors, the producer, the scenery and costumes. This wealthy citizen would pay for this to gain popularity, helping himself in local political elections. This means there was no entry fee.
Another similarity between amphitheatres and theatres is the use of canvas awning. During hot summer afternoons large pieces of canvas was erected to keep the audience cool. Rope and pulleys across the theatre, were used by sailors to control the canvas through the day.
A performance lasted all day and was made up of several play. One of the most popular types of performance was the "pantomime."
Pantomime means "someone who can act anything." This type of pantomime is unlike modern pantomime, which is comical, this is because the pantomime is made up of a mixture of opera and ballet. The plot of a pantomime was serious. This plot was normally taken from Greek myths. One masked actor (a pantomine), would dance and mime all of the different characters. While he was performing, a chorus sang the lyrics. One person acting all the part in a play is not very usalle in modern times.
A rhymical beat was provided to accompany the performance. The rhymical beat was provided by a orchestra. This orchestra consisted of lyres ( a U-shape harp), double pipes, trumpet and castanets. The trumpet is still used today. Castanet are also still used today mainly by Spanish dancers.
Just like gladiators, actors were usally slaves. These actors were also admired by many fans, just in the same way as gladiators. This admiration can be seen in modern day times, by actors such as Sean Conery.
Evidence showing that actors had fans is found on the walls around the theatre in Pompeii. Scribbings such as "Actius, our favorite, come back quickly!", are shown.
Short, one-act plats would often appear at the end of long performances. These were often comadies. The common content of these plays were rude jokes and horseplay based in Italian country life. A good example of this type of play is Aristophances, The Clouds. Familia characters which wore destinctive, strange masks were in these productions. Pappus, an old fool and Manducus, a greedy clown are good examples.
Roman theatres were very much like Roman ampitheatres, but astonalingly modern theatres are like Roman theatres. Many of the things found in the theatre today originate from Roman theatres, over .......... years ago.
This is the complete article, containing 583 words
(approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page).
