TH 1020 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Liturgical Drama, Greek Chorus, Vomitorium
Document Summary
Roman theatre: used artificial walls, very present, vomitorium hall under the audience seating, commedia del arte, each character dressed a certain way. Commedia del arte: acting groups of 12 15, basis for modern improv, adultery, jealousy, old age, love, characters were lovers, masters, servants, and clowns. Four topics: gods, warriors, women, and demons: bunraku. Plot topics were conflicts between social obligations and human emotion. Puppets were used that were 1/3 to the size of humans (most require three performances) Only master puppeteers can operate the head and right arm: kabuki. Chinese theatre: first documented in 1500 bc, very adventure and fantasy based, merely entertainment, shadow puppets, cantonese. Thick leather and symbolic colors: pekingese. Audience directly faces the stage, but does not interact with the actors. House curtain directly upstage of the proscenium. Apron bit of the stage ds of the arch: thrust stage. Much larger apron (and on three sides) Cyclorama backdrop / vomitorium: arena stage.
