THEA 103 1st Edition

Lecture 5 Outline of Last Lecture

I. Ancient Greek Theatre

II. Ancient Roman Theatre

Outline of Current Lecture I. Medieval Theatre II. Renaissance Theatre

Current Lecture

I. Medieval Theatre a. Early medieval period-individual or small bands of outcast performers, storytellers, tumblers, etc. b. By 10th century-rise of liturgical drama-clergymen dramatize bible stories and convey church doctrine. World WAS the church. i. Areas in the church were used to represent symbolic locations and small scenic structures called Mansions were also built to symbolize places in the drama. By the 14th century, the dramas moved out of the church and were presented during religious festivals. ii. As they moved outdoors (because they were running out of room), dialogue replaced chanting, the vernacular languages replaced Latin, and non-clergy performed. iii. Temporary stages were setup both as fixed platform stages and as pageant wagons, which traveled through the streets of the town to perform a play or part of a cycle. iv. Platform stages were set up in the town square and consisted of several mansions and a plateaor common playing area. c. Existing technologies used in warfare and building were used for flying scenery and performers. Pyrotechnics and lighting effects using candles and reflectors were used, as were trap doors and winch-operated moving scenery (Hell Mouth). Stage machinery was termed secrets and often required large crews to operate. II. Renaissance Theatre a. Late medieval period-elaborate court entertainments become popular Renaissance b. 1450-Printing press 1453-Fall of Constantinople

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