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 referen ce. 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 Introduction 01:00 – 08:30 It’s All Greek to Me 08:31 – 12:30 Medieval Theatre 12:31 – 17:35 Commedia dell’Arte 17:36 – 22:55 Renaissance and Restoration 22:56 – 28:00 Modern Theatre 28:01 – 28:58 Conclusion 28:59 – END 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. In the 12 th 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 • 1.1 Developing active listening skills and strategies 1 Listening and responding • 2.1 Developing and adapting speaking skills and strategies in formal and informal contexts 2 Speaking and presenting • 2.2 Using and adapting the conventions and forms of spoken texts • 3.1 Developing and adapting discussion skills and strategies in 3 Group discussion and formal and informal contexts interaction • 3.2 Taking roles in group discussion • 4.1 Using different dramatic approaches to explore ideas, texts 4 Drama, role-play and and issues performance • 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. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 8. Why were theatres closed down in the 4 th 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? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________