Theatricallity In The Ancient World

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Theatricality in the Ancient World

On November 19, Professor William Slater spoke of how theatre was in the ancient world and how it is in modern day. In the medieval days the text was extremely important and in present day it is the other away around – it is dramatics over text. Professor Slater touched on the loss of accent on texts, the influence of archeology on theatre, and the advent of social science on theatre.

Firstly, in the past, up until probably about 1970, the text/script given to actors was more so read than it was acted. For example, before you would chose when a character entered and exited. And on the side of the margin it would be written, “now Helen will exit”. This had to be improved and in coming years, it did, and only got better with time. He also spoke of dynamism. Mainly, the same script and text would be read but with more enthusiasm or more expression. For instance, “isn’t it a surprise that I’m home?”. Depending on how the text was expressed would make a huge difference on the effect the same text would have, and would basically create better drama.

Secondly, he spoke of the influence of archeology on theatre. At first the stages were immensely large (approximately 85 yards wide and 65 yards deep) and not at all intimate. Then the Athenians began to make smaller theatres that held fewer people that allowed for actors to project their voices throughout the entire room and to control audiences more easily. The Athenians built the Megalopolis and the Agamemnon (which was the only round theatre at the time, all the others were rectangular). Theatres were not only used for theatrics but for various reasons, such as a place for citizens to meet, political assemblies, etc. Later, Athens built the Epidalris. This theatre was built very mathematically (it was greatly influenced by Plato), was built on the bases of a pentagon, and seating was in two rows (prime numbers which w...