1. Medieval Theatre

2. History
After the fall of the Roman Empire in the 600s AD, Europe fell into a period known as the “dark ages”.
Characterized by a lack of a reliable political structure
The Catholic church was the only stable form of government, giving them immense power

3. History Very little is known about theatre between 600 - 1000 AD.
Theatre was thought to be a pagan ritual, therefore, was denounced by the church

4. History Theatre was “reborn” between 925-975
Was included as a part of the religious services
Used to visualize church lessons

5. History
Visual aides needed because church vernacular was Latin, which the people did not understand
Plays werebased on religious teachings

6. History
Play Content
first trope, or play, was Quem Quaritis (the 3 Marys approach the tomb of Christ) -- “Who’s There”
acted out religious events (as dictated by the religious seasons)

7. History Content Topics/genres were always one of the following:
miracle plays
morality plays
mystery plays

8. History
Content
Referred to a “cycle plays” because they were performed in a yearly cycle, coinciding with the religious holidays and feast days

9. Nature of Physical Theatre
Staging
staged indoors, in cathedrals and monasteries
13th century, moved outdoors
(plays took away from the liturgy)

10. Nature of Physical Theatre
moved outside onto a porch that was used as the staging area

11. Nature of Physical Theatre
Heaven on right, Earth in center, Hell on left

12. Nature of Physical Theatre
These conventions were used until the 16th century and beyond in some cases

13. Nature of Physical Theatre
FEATURES
Mansions or Stations
fixed locations
indicated locations
remained in view throughout play
limited in space

14. Nature of Physical Theatre
FEATURES
Platea
generalized acting area
mansions arranged around this space

15. Nature of Physical Theatre
FEATURES
Wagons
used to bring plays from town to town
pageant wagons moved through the streets while the audience stayed in one place – like parade floats

16. Nature of Physical Theatre
Wagons
each wagon held a different part of the story

17. Nature of Physical Theatre
FEATURES
Special Effects
Heaven: raised above other stages
Used pulleys and ropes for flying

18. Nature of Physical Theatre
FEATURES
Special Effects
“Hell mouth”: lowered beast’s head that breathed fire and smoke
trap doors used for appearance and disappearance

19. Nature of Physical Theatre
Costumes
Religious hierarchy (God, etc.): wore Church garments
Saints: had specific symbol (ex: St. Peter had keys)

21. Nature of Physical Theatre
Costumes
Secular characters (Everyman): wore contemporary garments

23. Nature of Physical Theatre
Costumes
Devils, evil characters: had most imaginative costumes with claws, horns, beaks, tails, etc.

24. Nature of Physical Theatre
Actors
Mostly amatuers
Sometimes members of the guilds
Paid with food and drink
Voice most important

25. Secular Influence
By 15th century, secular groups took over the production of the plays
Play productions were getting too big for the church to produce

26. Secular Influence Main producers of plays were: Trade guilds
ex: Baker’s guild in charge of “Last Supper”
Shipwright’s guild in charge of “Noah’s ark
Municipal authorities
Special societies

27. Secular Influence
Each guild or society was in charge of one play in a cycle
Each guild or society always produced the same play
this may explain how the plays grew to a grander scale

28. Secular Influence
Elaboration of plays becomes larger as time marches on
In 1536, the play at Bourges in France took 40 days to perform

29. Drama and Scripts Corpus Christi Festival
Honored the sacrament of the bread and wine
Celebration was a procession of the host through town
often took 4 to 5 days to perform
Town council decided what plays would be performed

30. Drama and Scripts Mystery Plays Reenacted the stories from scripture
Miracle Plays
Dramatized the lives of the saints and martyrs

31. Drama and Scripts Morality Plays
Dramatized the spiritual trials of the average man
Formed the bridge between religious and secular drama

32. Drama and Scripts Common Characteristics for all types of plays:
aimed to teach or reinforce church doctrine
good was rewarded; bad was punished
God & his plan were the driving force, not the characters

33. Evolution of Drama
By the 16th century, the plays became more secularized
Plays began to include historical figures and sometimes made a political, not religious, statement
Pagents began to be performed by professional groups

34. Evolution of Drama Ultimate decline of medieval drama:
Classical learning introduced new concepts
Changes in social structure and the rise of the big city discouraged community projects
The Protestant Reformation led to the prohibition of religious plays

35. Evolution of Drama Results of the decline:
Actors still needed, but no long amateurs
Professional theatre became commercial (for profit)
No longer religious plays – they returned to the classics for new ideas for stories