-
8500 BCE
Primitive Tribal Dance and Religious Rituals
-
600 BCE
Ancient Greek Theatre
Western Theatre as we all know was born in Ancient Greece. Masks were now used which allowed an actor to play multiple parts. At this time, women were not allowed to act so female roles were played by men. The play would be supported by a chorus with as many as fifty people who would sing or speak simultaneously. A while later, theatres were built. -
365 BCE
Early Roman Theatre
Heavily influenced by the Ancient Greeks. The Romans translated and adapted many Ancient Greek plays. Actors were considered the lowest rank of society and were usually slaves in the time of early Christianity, Christians were forbidden from attending the Theatre and many actors were excommunicated. -
100
Sanskrit Theatre
The earliest forms of Indian Theatre began to emerge after the year 100. Sanskrit plays were usually based on Indian Epics, The Mahabharata and the Ramayana where good always triumphed over evil. The Natyasastra, a book detailing many elements of theatrical production, is thought to be the world’s first Theatre Manual. Kalidasa is the most famous Sanskrit Theatre playwright from this era -
620
Roving Acting Troupes
In Europe, the first roaming acting troupes appeared at this time. They would travel from village to village, performing from town square to earn a living. The church officially banned Theatre in 692, symbolising the end of Classical Theatre era. These nomadic performers kept the tradition of Theatre alive during these dark times. -
925
Medieval Drama
By becoming a par of the Church rituals, Theatre found its way back into everyday life in Europe. Miracle, Mystery and Morality plays were written an performed to teach the common people about religion scripture. In the late 900’s, a German nun Calle Hroswitha became the first known to write plays. Until 1204, these plays were only shown inside the Church. After this time, plays were brought out into the village square (again!) to reach members of the public with their religious messages. -
1325
Non Theatre
In Japan, the art of Noh Theatre was developed by two actors, Kiyotsugu and his son Zeami Motokiyo. Noh Dramas involve masked male actors using stylised dance and poetry to tell stories o ghosts, love and revenge. -
1402
Permanent Theatres and Professional Actors / Commedia Theatre
Despite the emergence of permanent Theatre, the traveling theatre troupe continued to be popular throughout Europe, particularly in Italy. Commedia dell’Arte, a form of improvisational comedy based on stock characters, mask and mime developed in the 1500s and was common until 1700s. It’s popularity spread as Moliere and Dario Fo. It has seen many re-emerges in popularity, particularly through the work of Carlo Golding in the 1750s -
1564
The Birth of Shakespeare - English Renaissance Theatre
The most influential English playwright, William Shakespeare, was born in 1564. An actor and manager of Theatre company, Shakespeare wrote comedy, tragedy and history plays that are still performed and studied widely. The Globe Theatre was built in 1599 and was the first place many Shakespeare’s plays were performed. Other famous playwright of the English Renaissance were Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Kyd Ben Johnson. Theatre in England closed in 1642 because of Puritan Revolution. Reopened 1660. -
David Garrick and Naturalism
The first appearance of an attempt at naturalistic acting appeared in 1741 through the work of English actor David Garrick. By 1790, more realism was seen in set and costume design. -
Cabaret
The first Cabaret Theatre in Modern Form was ‘Le Chat Noir” in Montmartre, Paris. Cabaret tended to differ from Music Halls in that it contained elements of social and political commentary rather than just pure entertainment. The cabarets were attended by the rich and famous but also he Bohemian artists of Paris. They tended not to have great reputation. The most famous cabaret theatre was the Moulin Rouge, built in 1889. He spread in popularity through Europe, notably in Poland and German. -
The Golden Age of Musicals
The collaboration of Rodgers and Hammerstein in 1942 ushered in the new Golden Age of Musical Theatre in America. They composed plays such as ‘Oklahoma’, ‘The Sound of Music’ and ‘The king and I’, many of which later became films. -
Existentialism and The Theatre of The Absurd
Jean-Paul Sartre which inspired the development of the Theatre of the Absurd after World War II. Absurdist Theatre revolves around the premise that life is meaningless, and human behaviour is a series of meaningless words and actions. Famous playwright from genre include Eugene Lonesco, Jean Genet and Samuel Beckett. -
The Actors Studio
The Actors Studio is prestigious Theatre in New York City which quickly became highly influential in the Western acting world. Founded by Cheryl Crawford, Elia Kazan, Robert Lewis, Anna Sokolow and (later) Lee Strasberg, the Actors Studio has taught actors such as Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Marilyn Monroe and Robert De Niro. Over 1000 actors audition for just 6 or 7 spots each year. Actors are taught a variety of techniques, with an emphasis on Method, or realistic acting. -
Modern Physical Theatre
Brazilian Theatre practitioner Augusto Boal developed the Theatre of the Oppressed in 1960s and 70s as an attempt to empower the oppressed and create social change. Theatre of the Oppressed is about creating dialogue between actor and audience in order to solve a problem
