1. Creative and Media: Level 2 Higher Diploma Unit 2: Performance
Level 2 Higher Diploma Creative and MediaUnit 1: Scene
2.1.1 The beginnings of performance
Student Book
pp 52–59
Research activity
Many forms of performance began in religious rites and ceremonies. The tragedies and
comedies that are the roots of many modern plays originated in festivals for the god
Dionysus in ancient Greece. Terms such as chorus and scene were first used in Greek
theatre.
Use the Internet or library to find out about the origins of the forms of performance listed
below. Look for information on:
 when and where the form originated
 early examples
 people who were involved at the beginning.
B - People say that blues music originated from the African
l slaves that were brought to America but no particular time
or date can be stated for it.
u
- Whilst working they would sing songs that had the same
e rhythm and elements that the blues have.
s - Some people say that it was first introduced in America
m between 1870’s and 1900’s.
u - The earliest example of blues was in the 1900’s by an
s artist named Samuel Coleridge-Taylor.
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M - Melodrama originated from a French word ‘mélodrame’.
e Melos meaning music and drame meaning drama.
l - It was first recognised in the 1800’s.
o - The earliest example of melodrama found was J.E
d Eberlin’s Latin play called Sigimundus.
r - It was introduced as a short play with a few spoken
a words accompanied by music.
m
a
M - Morality plays are a genre that was introduced in the
o early Tudor times. They are play that have morals to them.
- ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ is an early example of a morality
r
play. It is an English play from the 1900’s.
a - They used to be known as ‘interludes’.
l - They were very popular in Europe in the 15th Century.
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2. Unit 1: Scene Creative and Media: Level 2 Higher Diploma
Unit 1: Scene
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C - Classical Ballet is said to be originated from Russian
l Ballet, French Ballet and Italian Ballet.
- An early example of Classical Ballet is a company called
a
the Ballet Russes of Russia who were the first company to
s be successful in the style.
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R - Ragtime music was introduced in cities like New
a Orleans, America as dance music before it was published
as piano music.
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- An early example of Ragtime music was a famous
t composer named Scott Joplin of 1899.
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S - Sattriya dance originated from India and is a form of
a classical Indian dancing and is still a living tradition there
today and is used in religious rituals.
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- An early example of Sattriya dance was introduced by a
t saint called Srimanta Sankardeva in Assam during the 15th
r century.
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3. Creative and Media: Level 2 Higher Diploma Unit 2: Performance
Level 2 Higher Diploma Creative and MediaUnit 1: Scene
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L - Lindy hop was introduced in Harlem, New York City in
i the 1920’s and 1930’s.
- An early example of Lindy Hop was Texas Tommy who
n
was famous in the early 1900’s.
d - It is recognised as being apart of the swing dance family
y and is referred to with jazz music, Charleston, tap, and
h breakaway.
o
p
R - Restoration comedy is English comedy which was
e written and performed in the restoration period (late
1600’s and early 1700’s).
s
- Early examples of restoration comedy is the first
t professional female play writer which was Aphra Behn.
o Also Charles 2nd in the 1660’s who was known for
r encouraging the sexual explicitness of it.
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1 - Alternative comedy originated from the 1980’s as a style
9 of comedy.
- It was introduced in the UK when Britain was politically
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divided.
0 - The earliest example of alternative comedy is a TV
s programme called “That Was The Week That Was”.
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4. Unit 1: Scene Creative and Media: Level 2 Higher Diploma
Unit 1: Scene
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P - Punk rock stemmed from garage rock an protopunk
u music.
- It developed in the 1970’s in the USA, UK and Australia.
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- The sex pistols are an example of a punk rock band.
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B - Brit pop originated in the UK and emerged from the
r British independent music.
- It was introduced in the 1990’s and was influenced by
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British bands from the 1960’s and 1970’s.
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p
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