Athens and the theatre

1. K. Thom Athens and the theatre GCSE Classics Revision

2. The theatre • The Athenians invented drama • The main theatre was the Theatre of Dionysos • This was built into the hillside of the Acropolis • The theatre was part of the sanctuary of Dionysos – linking drama and religion

3. The layout The seating area; more than 15,000 seats. All with good views of the stage + excellent acoustics. Two parodoi were entrances for the audience AND cast. The PROSKENE: a raised stage Where the chorus sang and acted. This is also where the ALTAR was; sacrifices were made before every play, every morning. Actors would change in the skene + props were stored here. In front of the skene were double doors, usually used to represent a building entrance.

4. Details • Limited special effects during plays (so the acting had to be of a very high standard)... a) a mekhane; a hoist to make actors fly in the air (usually used for the role of a god) b) The ekkuklema; a trolley like device usually had a dead body on it to represent a murdered character c) Thunder; possibly rolling large stones under the theatron seats d) the main acts would climb on the skene or proskene(reserved for the role of gods [again]) e) The front of the skene was painted as a temple or palace

5. Exam Question - 2012 • Describe briefly the layout of a Greek theatre [5] • Explain how the features of a Greek theatre helped the audience to enjoy a play. [5] c) Hoe exciting do you think it was to watch and listen to the Chorus in a Greek play?. [5]

6. Did the theatre suit the needs of the people who used it? • The size (large) enables it to accommodate a large number of people • Its shape offered superb acoustics + good visibility because of tiered seating • There was easy access to seats + special VIP seating • The orchestra offered an open, visible space for dancing + processions • The elevated proskene separated actors from the chorus + enhanced visibility • The skene provided a back drop, changing area, extra platform for acting, keeping props • The ekkuklema allowed for the revealing of dead bodies • The mekhane would be visually effective and allow for the introduction on god roles • The scenery and sound effects would enhance the dramatic experience

7. Problems with the layout... • Seating was not very comfortable for long periods of time • The theatre was open to the elements • Some of the audience were a long distance from the actors • The elevated proskene separated actors from the chorus • The scenery could not be changed

8. Tragedies • Very serious + grand • Set in the heroic past • Actors would play parts of gods, goddesses, kings and queens • Roles of slaves and soldiers were also common in tragedies • Asks life’s deepest questions: why do people suffer and how much do the gods look after people? • Main character – a hero who has suffered a major catastrophe and has to cope bravely • No happy endings  • Tragic costumes + masks = serious and thoughtful expressions • Main item for costumes was a long robe [which were sometimes stiff and heavy] + clothes were colourful and decorated with patchwork patterns (often reflecting heroic or royal qualities) • Actors wore soft leather foot wear

9. Comedies • Set in the everyday, present Athens • Riotous and hilarious (and rude!) • Masks designed to look ridiculous and over sized • Costumes = short tunic and tights were thickly padded • Mocking the people of Athens especially politicians and well known figures e.g. Socrates • Use of a large leather phallus was common, worn by male characters to simulate an erection! • (Dionysus was god of fertility so the phallus was linked to worship) • Actors rolled around in slap stick fashion • Main roles included: a simple country farmer, a smooth talking city dweller, a grumpy old man and a clever slave

10. Exam Question - 2011 • What did Tragic actors wear? [5] b) Explain how their costumes and masks contributed to their performance on stage. [5] c) Imagine you are an ancient Athenian. Would you rather have watched a tragedy or a comedy? Explain your answer. [5]

11. The three actors • Each play only had three main acts • The actors played a number of roles (up to 5 distinct characters) • They wore full head masks to show their different characters • The masks are usually made of linen, corkor wood and had hair on top

12. The chorus • Made up of 15 members for a tragedy • 24 members for a comedy • All local men selected from Athens (amateurs) • They sang + danced between scenes • Sang and performed on the orchestra • This gave main actors a chance to change costumes + masks • The chorus was used to comment on the play, giving the audience back ground information or creating tension or mood e.g suspense • All wore uniform costumes that depicted their place in society e.g. An old man would wear dignified robes • In a comedy the chorus would often dress up as animals • E.g. Aristotle wrote a plays called Birds, Frogs and Wasps – for each play the chorus would dress in the relevant animal costume [great fun for the audience]