Theatre History Timeline

By royaldelta
  • 600 BCE

    CLASSICAL

    CLASSICAL
    600BC-600AD
    Greek Theatre
    Development of the classical genres of Comedy and Tragedy. The philosopher Aristotle established the classical rules of tragedy (unities of time, place and action). Aristotle identified the central purpose of theatre to arouse strong emotions in its audience(catharsis).
    Info: https://goo.gl/hMBnPo
    Pic: https://goo.gl/NKH4kX
  • 600

    MEDIEVAL

    MEDIEVAL
    Liturgical Drama
    Certain parts of the Catholic mass were enacted in church, particularly in the Easter liturgy. These enactments weredeveloped in the monasteries and later spread to other churches.The plays were performed by the community. Three principal forms of drama developed from this: Mystery Plays, Miracle Plays, Morality Plays.
    Info: https://goo.gl/hMBnPo
    Pic: https://goo.gl/GEWb8D
  • 1500

    RENAISSANCE

    RENAISSANCE
    Commedia Dell'Arte
    Began in C16th Italy. Used caricature half-masks for middle-classand servant characters. Hero and Heroine were unmasked. Stock Characters were placed in stock situations (scenarios). Ensemble playing allowed for free improvisation around the roles &situations. Depicted clashes between Masters & Servants. Used physical humour known as Slapstick or Lazzi as well as acrobatic & juggling skills to amuse the audience.
    Info: https://goo.gl/hMBnPo
    Pic: https://goo.gl/9WUAyL

  • RESTORATION

    RESTORATION
    Comedy of Manners
    Examined rules of the society of the time from a satirical standpoint. Portrayed and commented upon the affectations of theupper classes. Based on the wit & banter of the aristocra. tic class. Satirised the affected wit and self-importance of the minor aristocracy and aworld where everyone thought that to better oneself was merely aquestion of speaking the right language and wearing the right clothes.
    Info: https://goo.gl/hMBnPo
    Pic: https://goo.gl/NcWeQQ

  • BAROQUE

    BAROQUE
    Burlesque / Ballad Opera
    Uses caricature and distortion almost to a grotesque extent tomock society, particularly respected society figures.т ased on puns and humour of low wit. Music used as parody. Ballad-operas were a popular new drama which appealed to all classes.
    Info: https://goo.gl/hMBnPo
    Pic: https://goo.gl/F4kVEs

  • ROMANTICISM

    ROMANTICISM
    Melodrama
    Lght-hearted entertainment as a means of escapism. Plays revolved around extremes of good & bad: characters were either heroes or villains.
    Romanticism
    Reacted against the constraints of neo-classicism. Often base donthe representation of the heroic individuals struggle to maintainlofty ideals and values in an imperfect and corrupt world.
    Info: https://goo.gl/hMBnPo
    Pic: https://goo.gl/c7CyP8

  • Realism & Naturalism

    Realism & Naturalism
    Originated in Europe as a challenge to themelodramatic forms of theatre that preceded it. Depicted ordinary lives in ordinary settings.Used everyday speech rather than verse.Sought to offer the µillusion of reality.
    Info: https://goo.gl/hMBnPo
    Pic: https://goo.gl/kkJPs3

  • Symbolism

    Symbolism
    Challenged realism & naturalism. Believed truth lay beyond mere appearances. Aimed to reflect the mental or spiritual life. Strong onatmosphere and effects, the influence of supernatural powers and the occult. Non-naturalistic scenery.
    Info: https://goo.gl/hMBnPo
    Pic: https://goo.gl/sgCtU3

  • Expressionism

    Expressionism
    Movement in literature & art which originated in Germany before WW1 and ended in1920s. Erratic & explosive. Tried to destroy superficial ideas of reality and explore deeper meanings underneath.
    Info: https://goo.gl/hMBnPo
    Pic: https://goo.gl/yeJ4pr

  • Surrealism

    Surrealism
    Revised the definition of reality. Concerned itself with accounts of dreams, madness, thesubconscious and the non-rational.
    Info: https://goo.gl/hMBnPo
    Pic: https://goo.gl/p3mzhA

  • Theatre of the Absurd

    Theatre of the Absurd
    Influenced by Camus: µthe human situation isessentially absurd and devoid of purpose. Also by the horrors of WW2. Charactersshare a somewhat pessimistic view of theworld in which humans struggle with their attempt to understand why they are here.
    Info: https://goo.gl/hMBnPo
    Pic: https://goo.gl/Nydyof

  • Political Theatre

    Political Theatre
    Emphasises a political issue(s) in its themeor plot. Can also explore themes moreuniversal and central to a society whichdefines itself as politically conscious. Dealswith contemporary social & political issues. Aims to impress political truths upon theaudience. Can sometimes be polemic, or one-sided. Propaganda. Writers are often politically committed.
    Info: https://goo.gl/hMBnPo
    Pic: https://goo.gl/mVy8hN