Roman Theatre

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Roman Theatre
Amity Ecker Grossmont High School
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Roman Theatre

• During 3rd century, Rome engaged in Punic Wars
  --gt won wars--gt came into contact with Greece
  where they observed Greek culture
• Roman Entertainment expanded the Greek Festivals
  to include chariot racing, equestrian
  performances, acrobatics, wrestling, gladiatorial
  combats

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Roman Theatre

• Special buildings constructed for the festivals
  (Circus Maximus, Colosseum)

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Roman Theatre

• Local government officials hired acting troupes
• Dominus
• Head of troupe (lead actor)
• Made financial arrangements
• Bought dramas from playwrights
• Hired musicians
• Obtained costumes

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Roman Theatre

• Companies had at least 6 members (Greek had 3
  actors)
• Due to SIZE of theatres, Roman Theatre emphasized
  detailed pantomime and BROAD physical gestures
• Stock characters used (did not value versatility)

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Roman Theatre

• Masks worn as in Greek theatre
• Why do you think masks were important?
• Large theatres
• Stock characters valued

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Roman Theatre

• The Roman theatre was shaped with a half circle
  or orchestra space in front of the stage. Most
  often the audience sat here in comfortable
  chairs. Occasionally, however, the actors would
  perform in this space.

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Roman Theatre

• The audience was usually more interested in their
  favorite actors than the play itself.
• The actors would try to win over the audience's
  praise with decorative masks, costumes, dancing
  and mime.
• If the play scripted an actor's dying, a
  condemned man would take the place of the actor
  at the last moment and actually be killed on
  stage. The Romans loved the bloodthirsty
  spectacles

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Decline of Roman Theatre

• Roman Empire became so large that 2 capitols were
  established Rome in the west and Constantinople
  in the east
• Center of activity shifted away from Rome to
  Constantinople
• Rome was conquered by Northern Barbarians which
  signaled end of theatrical and cultural
  development

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Decline of Roman Theatre

• Rise of Christianity--gt Christian Church opposed
  to theatre b/c of connection with pagan religions
  (Remember was founded originally by Greeks to
  celebrate god Dionysis)
• Christian Church felt immoral characters were
  portrayed and taught immorality to audience
  (sexual content of plays)
• 1000 years of theatrical development at an end

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Greek vs Roman Theatre Differences

• Creativity, imagination, art, philosophy, theatre

• Concrete achievements, law, engineering, military
  conquests

• Comedy central focus (romantic situations)

• Tragedy central focus (concerning gods)

• Theatre houses carved into hillsides only

• Both built amphitheatres and had hillside theatre
  houses

• Orchestra was circular and used as a performance
  space

• Orchestra was semicircular and used as a seating
  space

• Limited to 3 actors and a chorus

• Unlimited number of actors

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Greek vs Roman TheatreSimilarities

• Masks worn
• Semicircular/circular seating
• Theatrical entertainment highly valued

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Reference

• Wilson and Goldfarb. Theater The Lively Art, 4th
  edition Chapter 10, pages 209 - 231