VCE English

• Athens

• 400BC

• Information is sparse

• Men (debate over this)

• Productions compete against each other

• Jury votes for best play

• Not about money but about glory

• Win a goat

• Comedy, Tragedy, Satyr 

• Huge spectacle - people came from all over

• Shakespeare was heavily influenced by reading Greek plays

• This shaped all theatre to follow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHORUS

 

What is the purpose and function of the chorus? (pair/share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Groups of singers

• Sing or chant

• Musical accompaniment

• Choreographed dance 

• Faceless/nameless people

• 12 - 15

• Common people, elders, group of people, anonymous

• Occasionally someone a member will speak for the group

• Narration

• Sometimes tell the audience what to think

• Scene changes - chorus members may change their role

• More similar to modern opera than modern theatre

 

 

 

 

Do you think the concepts and ideas surronding chorus are still present in the performing arts today?

 

 

 

SOLOIST

 

• Protagonist

• Steps forward and sings alone

• Second actor - Duetagonist

• Third actor - Tritagonist

• Only 3 performers - change roles

 

 

 

 

PERFORMENCE SPACE

 

What can you tell me about the space where Greek Theatre was held?

 

 

• Amphitheatre

• Open Air

• Semi-circle

• Orchestra: dancing space

• 12,000 - 14,000 people

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SKENE: backdrop, stores props, costumes etc

PARODOS: entrance/exit for chorus

PROSKENION: raised area where main actors were thought to have performed

ALTER/ORCHESTRA: stage space for chorus

KLIMAKES: stairway

KERKIS: seats

 

 

 

 

 

Do you know any examples of modern amphitheatre? Find me one!

 

 

 

 

 

MASKS

 

Archaeologists have found examples of what masks would have looked like during this time.

 

What do you notice about these masks?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Why would you want an obvious expression on the masks face?