Classical Theatre History A Journey Classical Theatre History A Journey Through Time The Middle Ages and Through Time The Middle Ages and The Renaissance – Italy and SpainThe Renaissance – Italy and Spain

By Margaret FolandBy Margaret Foland

AET 541 AET 541

Dawn R. TittleDawn R. Tittle

Introduction to the Dark Ages and the Introduction to the Dark Ages and the RenaissanceRenaissance

Week 4 will discuss the following:Week 4 will discuss the following: The Middle Ages (also known as the Dark Ages) The Middle Ages (also known as the Dark Ages)

and it historyand it history The Renaissance – The age of Enlightenment, The Renaissance – The age of Enlightenment,

and how it helped to bring about a new age in and how it helped to bring about a new age in Theatre and of course the it’s History.Theatre and of course the it’s History.

Biblical Theatre – its rebirthBiblical Theatre – its rebirth Renaissance Theatre – Comediá del arté.Renaissance Theatre – Comediá del arté. It will include the countries of Italy, France and It will include the countries of Italy, France and

England – as it will be broken up into weeks 5 England – as it will be broken up into weeks 5 and 6.and 6.

The Dark AgesThe Dark Ages Dueling Feudalism Crusades 1 and 2 Plague Church Hierarchism Royalty St. Joan of Arc Mongol Invasion Barbarians from Northern Europe Knights Templar Eastern Chaos Order of the Horse Chivalry Arthur Celtic – Celts Norsemen (Noorsman) Anglo, Norman, Saxon, Jutes, invasion Martin Luther Chaucer Minstrel song – Jougleus, balds Gothic Architecture Notre Dame Passion Plays – morality plays, miracle plays, mystery plays Universities Schism in the Church – Church/State Inquisition Monasticism, saints Warfare techniques Michelle de Martan - Michael of the Mountain Printing press, Johan and Gutenberg – Printing press inventors Ad Majorem Dei Gloria

The Medieval WorldThe Medieval World The Medieval World, 416-1450The Medieval World, 416-1450 Latin is the language of the church and the educatedLatin is the language of the church and the educated Political backgroundPolitical background Religious, landed and legal power rested in the church; later Religious, landed and legal power rested in the church; later

segregated to feudal lords and guilds.segregated to feudal lords and guilds. Theatre closed by churchTheatre closed by church Tertullian, DE Spectaculis 196 – 212Tertullian, DE Spectaculis 196 – 212 Theatre had already declined and audience interest was Theatre had already declined and audience interest was

waningwaning Theatre returned to respectability at 950 C.E. Theatre returned to respectability at 950 C.E. Church brings Theatre back Church brings Theatre back Major InfluencesMajor Influences Wide spread famine and plague HierarchismWide spread famine and plague Hierarchism Feudalism, the church, grab a hold of astrology and Feudalism, the church, grab a hold of astrology and

numerology, calendar for the church and year, and liturgical numerology, calendar for the church and year, and liturgical sizesize

Quem QueritisQuem Queritis

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

What do you think it was like to live in the Medieval World? Who was in control of the Middle world? Who is Joan of Arc and what did she do? Who invented the printing press? When did universities open? Where the people illiterate or were they learning how to

read?

Biblical DramaBiblical Drama

A trope, or interruptions, in the mass A trope, or interruptions, in the mass The church developedThe church developed Liturgical dramaLiturgical drama Mystery (Mystere)/ Cycle playsMystery (Mystere)/ Cycle plays Also called miracle or morality playsAlso called miracle or morality plays Pageants and secretsPageants and secrets Episodic plots beginEpisodic plots begin 1240 – 1576 guilds became producers1240 – 1576 guilds became producers municipal governments and private municipal governments and private

organizationsorganizations Purpose of Cycle PlaysPurpose of Cycle Plays Glorify God, the Bible, and the ChurchGlorify God, the Bible, and the Church Instruct the illiterate in the faithInstruct the illiterate in the faith Advertise for guildsAdvertise for guilds Compete with spring festivalsCompete with spring festivals People move back to the citiesPeople move back to the cities Men and boys only allowed to act in Men and boys only allowed to act in

EnglandEngland Women and Men Act in Cycle plays inWomen and Men Act in Cycle plays in

SpainSpain FranceFrance ItalyItaly

Patterns of the playsPatterns of the plays Series (cycle) of 15 – 20 minutes longSeries (cycle) of 15 – 20 minutes long Written in vernacularWritten in vernacular Presented in sequence Presented in sequence Performed on trestle stage or series of stagesPerformed on trestle stage or series of stages Some stages on wheels (pageant wagons) Some stages were stationary “The Second Shepherds Play” York Cycle Plays Bishop Ethelwald Pageant wagons

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

What is a Cycle Play?What is a Cycle Play? Who was allowed to act in Biblical Drama in Britain, Spain, Who was allowed to act in Biblical Drama in Britain, Spain,

France, and Italy?France, and Italy? Who was Bishop Ethelwald?Who was Bishop Ethelwald? What is the graphic picture on this page a representative What is the graphic picture on this page a representative

of?of?

The Age of EnlightenmentThe Age of EnlightenmentThe Renaissance The Renaissance

Italy and SpainItaly and Spain The Italian Renaissance A matter of

Perspective Stenography stage craft

The Renaissance Mind – Humanism Royallance idea of governance Bringing back Greek and Roman Philosophy People are getting educated University open Art is at its high Gothic Architecture Plague ends – Pregnant form pictures like the one on the title page Biblical Drama dies off – plays are brought back from

Ancient Greece Ancient Rome

The finding of Pompeii Martin Luther The Protestant Reformation The Church Reformation happens – bring people back to the Catholic Church 3 graphics on questions page mean

Triangulation PawnPawn Spotlight – lime lightSpotlight – lime light

The Renaissance cont’dThe Renaissance cont’d

The Spanish Golden Age It was part of the Roman Empire until 711 Moors from Northern Africa invaded the country in 711 C.E. Moors controlled most of Spain Lasing effect, the Moorish had, even after the Catholic Church retook the

country Spain – Roman Catholic Monarchies King Fernando and Isabel took control over all Spain, after their marriage in

1469 Their heirs became the monarch of Casitle and León 1492 – Columbus sailed under the Spanish Flag discovers American –

North, South and Central for Spain Became a world power under King Fernando and Isabel Successful with trade, conquest, commerce, and arts Came to be known as the Spanish Golden Age In 1588, the Aramada was defeated by England End of unquestioned dominance for Spain – as a sea power and continued

to be a major factor in Europe for much of the 16th century Drama flourished too

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

What happened in Italy during the Renaissance?What happened in Italy during the Renaissance? What happed to the Church?What happed to the Church? What do the symbols below have to do with the Italian What do the symbols below have to do with the Italian

Renaissance?Renaissance? What happen to reunite Spain?What happen to reunite Spain? Who is Christopher Columbus?Who is Christopher Columbus?

Italian TheatreItalian Theatre Intermezzi and Pastorals 2 popular dramatic forms Developed in the Renaissance Influenced by classical subject matter and dramatic techniques Intermezzi Pastorals Opera – reflects classic subject matters Pastorals – imitation of Greek Satyr plays – romance not sexual connotation Commedia Dell’Arte A popular theatrical form Type of pure theatre Commedia dell’arte – Italian for play for professional artists Companies consisted of 10 performers – 7 male and 3 female Some may have been traveling troupes possible the successors of Greek and Roman mimes Associated with comedy Thrived in Italy from 1550-1750 Consisted of Improv presentations Scenarios Short scripts without dialogue written by a company member Scripts proved an outline for a plot Performers had no set text but invented the words and actions as they went along Actions moved along through improv Most popular figures Were lecherous, misery old Venetian, Pantalone A foolish pedant who was always involved in his neighbors affairs, Dottore A cowardly, braggart soldier, Capitano Servants – zanni

Who were sometimes sly, Arlecchino Who were sometimes foolish, Harlequin

Italian Stage DesignItalian Stage Design Sebastian Serlio 1475-1554Sebastian Serlio 1475-1554 Architettura - 1545Architettura - 1545 3 universal sets3 universal sets Tragic, comic, and satyricTragic, comic, and satyric Laid out identicallyLaid out identically Street CSStreet CS

3 “houses” SL & SR3 “houses” SL & SR BackdropBackdrop Inspired by Teatro Olimpico 1580-1584Inspired by Teatro Olimpico 1580-1584 The Teatro Olimpico is the oldest surviving Renaissance playhouse combination of a Palladian – designThe Teatro Olimpico is the oldest surviving Renaissance playhouse combination of a Palladian – design Scaenae frons and perspective vistas designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi 1552-1616Scaenae frons and perspective vistas designed by Vincenzo Scamozzi 1552-1616 The Teatro Franese 1616 or 1618The Teatro Franese 1616 or 1618 First permanent proscenium arch theatre, capacity 3000 audience membersFirst permanent proscenium arch theatre, capacity 3000 audience members Completed by Giovanni AleottiCompleted by Giovanni Aleotti Perspective sceneryPerspective scenery Racked stageRacked stage Wings, borders and backdropsWings, borders and backdrops StenographyStenography Italian scene changingItalian scene changing Periaktoi Periaktoi Wings and groove system – Giambattista AleottiWings and groove system – Giambattista Aleotti Chariot and Pole system – Giacomo TovelliChariot and Pole system – Giacomo Tovelli The GloriesThe Glories Severe rakeSevere rake Limited lightingLimited lighting Scene – changing in view of the audience Scene – changing in view of the audience Abast ye, IATSE boy! – The first stage hands were sailorsAbast ye, IATSE boy! – The first stage hands were sailors Floor – deckFloor – deck Pipe – battenPipe – batten Gid rid of – strikeGid rid of – strike Elaborate knot system Elaborate knot system Rope – lineRope – line

Spanish TheatreSpanish Theatre Religious drama: Autos Sacramentales Originally produced inside churches and cathedrals Part of the church service Written for Corpus Christi, festive held in late May or June, usually two

months after Easter Came to be known as Autos Sacramental, name given to any play

presented at Corpus Christi Combined elements of medieval morality and mystery plays Based on secular/religious ideas Underscore church teachings Finest dramas written by Calderón, 1647-1681 Prohibited in 1765 Secular / professional theatre flourished Playwrights created dramatic works for both theatres 2 were equally professional without regard to other aspects

acting production

Trace it through the career of Lope de Rueda

Spanish Theatre cont’dSpanish Theatre cont’d The Corrales Corrales – public theatres constructed in existing courtyards Open –air spaces with galleries and boxes protected by a roof 2 of the most famous in Madrid - Corral de la Cruz 1579 - Corral del Principe 1583 The stage platform erected opposite the entrance to the courtyard also several other entrances ways for other seating areas The yard

primarily an area for standing Groundlings were known as mosqueteros or musketeers A corral held 2,000

1,000 for men 350 for women And the rest reserved boxes and other accommodations for govt. officials and clergy

Proscenium – arch theatre/stage only used at court First proscenium – arch theatre in Spain

Coliseo at the King’s Palace The Buen Retiro in Madrid

Designed by Italian Cosme Lotti (d. 1643) and completed in 1640 Influenced by the Italian opera and intermezzi

Zarzuela – a stylized musical drama with a story based on mythology and ornate scenic art/effects

Scenery, the stage and CostumesScenery, the stage and Costumes Similar conventions in Spain to those in England Basic scene elements 2 or 3 story stage house constructed behind the platform stage A curtain, props, and flats might be used in conjunction with the façade of the stage house 3 openings for entrances, exists and reveals and one or two upper playhouses The façade served the same function as the Elizabethan tiring house “Spoken door” – dialogue indicating locale The stage Platform raised above the patio Separated dressing rooms were behind a central curtain that led into the stage house Doorway or each side of the curtain Most famous Celos Aun del Aire Matan 1660 Costuming Similar to England’s Renaissance Playwrights

Lope de Rueda Secular drama – comedies

2 best known Lope de Vega

Calderón de la Borca Many others include: Guillén de Castro 1569 – 1631

His play The Cid is a source for a famous French Play Juan Ruiz de Alarcón y Mendoza – 1580 – 1639 Born in Mexico, wrote plays in Madrid

Tirso de Molina 1584 – 1648 Said to have written 400 plays He wrote the 1st known play about Don Juan Often compared to Lope de Calderón

Discussion QuestionsDiscussion Questions

What did the theatre of Italy look like?What did the theatre of Italy look like?What did the theatre of Spain look like?What did the theatre of Spain look like?When did Biblical drama end in Spain?When did Biblical drama end in Spain?What is Commedia Dell’Arte?What is Commedia Dell’Arte?Who is Lope de Rueda?Who is Lope de Rueda?Who is the first playwright to write about Who is the first playwright to write about

Don Juan?Don Juan?

ReferencesReferences

1700spanish. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.costumes.org/history/17thcent/womensfashplates/new/1700spanish.jpg

Classroom without walls. (2011). Retrieved from http://classroomwowalls.pbworks.com/w/page/35366145/Maeve%20Jackson

CorralAlmagro. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://people.uleth.ca/~brent.devos/Webpage%20images/corralAlmagro.jpg

Medieval English Religious Drama. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://department.monm.edu/theatre/Rankin/Classes/THEA171/Lectures/medieval%20mansions.htm

Middle Ages . (n.d.). Retrieved from http://sphtc.org/timeline/middleages1.jpg

Wilson, E., & Goldfarb, A. (2008). History of the Theatre: Living Theatre (5th ed.). New York, New York: McGraw Hill.