Theatre: Its Origins and Its History 1 Theatre: Its Origins and Its History (© Charles & Josette Lenars/Corbis)

Common Theories on Theatre’s Origin Little evidence so must rely on theory Evolved from theatre and performance in life Ritual Theory Aristotle’s Theory Great Man Theory Dance Theory Story Telling Theory

Performance Performative elements, both dramatic and theatrical are present in all societies

Performance in everyday life Often with theatrical elements

Performance Qualities Time Place Participants Structure Clothing Movement Function/Purpose

Ceremonies

Rituals

Sports

Music and Dance

Political Performance Political decision based on performance Often theatrical

Child’s Play- creative and imitative Imitative and Creative

The link to theatre Although there are elements of theatre and performance in life, it does not indicated a link to a formal art form that we call theatre.

Ritual Theory Ceremonies and Rituals are closely related to theatre Theatrical Aspects of Ceremonies and Rituals The Abydos Ritual in Ancient Egypt Indigenous Ritual in Latin America

Ritual Theory Society becomes aware of forces that control food supply or well being Attributes occurrences to supernatural or magical forces Look for ways to win favor or influence these forces

Ritual Theory Draws a connection between certain actions performed by the group or shaman and a desired result Efficaciousness Group repeats, refines and formalizes these actions into fixed rituals Myths or stories grow around the ritual Myths performed Costumes and mask

Ritual Theory At some point, the society changes and its relationship with the ritual changes. Move away from ritual but preserve the myths as part of oral tradition Continue the performance aspect without the ritualistic concerns Performed activity is refined according to aesthetics and entertainment values Theatre is created

Problems with ritual theory Cultural Darwinism - Assumes all societies evolve in the same way, from simple to complex Assumed superiority/Eurocentric Ritual and theatre may have been coexisting modes to develop conventions Ex. Wedding rituals define new relationships and conventional associated behavior Ex. Theatre can show this and enforce conventions

Aristotle’s Theory Aristotle – Memesis Child’s imitative play

Aristotle’s Theory Poetics 355 BCE Theatre evolved from dithyrambs Tragedy – “goat song” Tragedy from the authors of the dithyrambs, comedy from the authors of phallic songs. Comodos

Great Man Theory Theatre was created by a revolutionary intervention of a gifted human being. Someone purposely organized available elements into a new form Dance, music, singing, storytelling, rituals No records or accounts of the person responsible

Thespis First Actor First Tragic playwright First touring company

Storytelling Theory Storytellers impersonated the various characters using voice and movement, perhaps costume People were added to play other characters Does not explain the evolution of the chorus

Dance Theory Through dance, performers imitated animals or humans Sound and words were eventually added. Orchestra=the dancing place Does not explain the chorus

Which theory Anthropologist generally favor the ritual theory Artists prefer the great man theory Actors or those who believe drama started with the actor, favor the storytelling or dance theory. To explain the chorus, either the dance theory or Aristotle’s theory

Theatre in different cultures Not all cultures have theatre (they have performance) Not all cultures allow theatre Theatre in the West Mimesis (© Richard T. Nowitz/Corbis)

Prohibition of Theatre

Methexis and mimesis Theatre in Africa/others Methexis: Group Sharing, “audience participation” Western Theatre=separation Of audience and performer European tradition-mimesis, presented to spectators

Theatre and methexis “Participatory” Theatre

How Historians Reconstruct the Elements of Theatre A Playing Space The Audience The Performers Visual Elements Texts Coordination of the Elements Social Requirements (© Jack Kurtz/The Image Works) © 2012, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The Study of Theatre History Traditional Chronological Narratives Recent Historical Approaches Revisionist Historians Feminist Historians Deconstructionists Multicultural Historians Gay and Lesbian Theatre Historians (© Geraint Lewis) © 2012, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

The Study of Theatre History (continued) Semioticians and Iconographic Historians Marxist and Class-Oriented Historians Performance Studies and Theatre History © 2012, The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Revisionist Historians History is retold from the point of view of the elite Orwell Article

History is written by the winners

Deconstructionists Aka postmodernists. Question the traditional manner in which history is reconstructed. The past cannot be retold in an objective and completely true manner People in power decide what is historic, who is empowered by a version of history

Feminist Historians

Gay and Lesbian Historians

Studying Theatre Why Study Theatre History? If theatre is a reflection of its society, then theatre history gives us insights to societies fo the past; how they saw themselves, wished to have been seen at the time or how they were directed to see depending if their theatre was art or entertainment.

How Do Scholars Study Theatre History? Difficulty of research Live Art Primary and Secondary Sources Practice as research

Theatre in History: Points to Remember Focus is on the high points There were other great writers and theatre activity that we do not focus on. This class covers only a small portion of what actually happened in history Scope of course Too much is unknown Who determines what is “outstanding” theatre? Anthology selection We have different tastes today that in the past.

Points to remember Outstanding actors – we rely on people who were there, but by today’s standards they many not be considered great due to changing tastes. Intended Audience – Historical, social, cultural and political context For the classes or the masses? In different periods and cultures, different aspects of theatre are appreciated Today?

What’s next? Complete any required work on Etudes Finish reading Ch1 Start reading Ch 2 Read Norton section on Greek theatre Watch or read Oedipus