Greek theatre originated between 550-220 BC as a religious festival honoring Dionysus. It began with hymn-like songs performed by a chorus and later introduced a single actor. Over time, more actors were incorporated. Performances featured themes from mythology and commentary on philosophy/society through tragedy, comedy, and satyr plays. Music accompanied performances and types varied based on the genre. While women were not allowed to perform or attend unaccompanied, theatre drew large crowds of up to 18,000. Modern musicals differ in allowing all performers and more technological elements, but still feature music supporting themes.

1. Greek Theatre

2. Why/how it first started The Greek theatre started between 550 and 220BC.Musical Theatres started with Ancient Greek theatres in which they were all based on Greek culture, therefore making Greek theatre the earliest form of musical theatre. It started as a religious festival to honour the god Dionysis. Early Greek theatre were hymn-type songs that were recited by a large chorus. Later on, Thespis, introduced the concept of an actor. He would have one person, that would respond to and interact with the chorus. Other playwrights extended this idea. Eventually one actor became two, then three, etc.

3. Who used to go watch it Ancient Greek theatre were usually only played by men who used to perform songs to welcome Dionysus (greek god.) Also women were not allowed to perform as it was against their religion and it wasn’t seen as a good hobby for women. Mainly rich people would afford the tickets although poor people went as well but were in not so good seats. The actors were all male, not allowing women on stage, women were played by men actors and were considered as poor, un-wealthy, unintelligent people. Women were never allowed to go and watch a Greek play on their own, only with their husbands’ or maid’s. The audience were sat far from the actors around the centre where a large circular or rectangular area at the centre part of the theatre, where the play, dance, religious rites, acting used to take place. Crowds as big as 15,000 to 18,000 peopled would usually gather to watch a play in the Greek theatres.

4. What were the themes of the performances The theme of the performances performed at the Greek Ancient theatre was a mixture of myth, legendary plays, philosophy, social commentary, poetry, dance, music, public participation, and visual splendor, however, tragedy, comedy, and satyr plays were the theatrical forms. Greek theatre was also based a lot around Greek rituals and Greek Gods, especially Dionysus. Tragedy and comedy were viewed as completely separate genres. Satyr plays dealt with the mythological subject in comic manner Comedy: The first comedies mocked men in power for their vanity and foolishness. The first master of comedy was the playwright Aristophanes. Much later Menander wrote comedies about ordinary people and made his plays more like sit-coms. Tragedy: Tragedy dealt with the big themes of love, loss, pride, the abuse of power and the fraught relationships between men and gods. Typically the main protagonist of a tragedy commits some terrible crime without realizing how foolish and arrogant he has been. Then, as he slowly realizes his error, the world crumbles around him. The three great playwrights of tragedy were Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides. Satyr Plays: These short plays were performed between the acts of tragedies The satyrs were mythical half-human, half-goat figures and actors in these plays wore large phalluses for comic effect. Few examples of these plays survive. They are classified by some authors as tragicomic, or comedy dramas.

5. What type of music would you be likely to hear? The Greeks disliked wholly instrumental music, and when they used instruments it was to accompany singing. Music to the Greeks implied not only singing and playing, but dance, rhythm, and words as well. Actors would tell a story or express their feeling through music whilst using gestures and masks to act out their play. There were usually several instruments such as a singe flute and sometimes a lute. No ones knows who composed the music no what it’s going to sound like. Different modes of music would depend on whether or not the musical was associated for a comedy or a tragedy. Music was not only sang for fun and entertainment, but also for their God’s. Music played a very important role in Greek theatre as it was believed to be an abstract science, meaning it was calming for the mind, therefore was very important in their everyday lives.

6. What are the similarities/ differences from musicals today Musicals have changed over the years in many ways; one way this is shown is now male or female can take part and act in a musical whereas back then only men were allowed. Another in which Greek theatre has changed over the years is the instruments that are now being used. As back then music would be very calming and only soft instruments would be played whereas now, harsh instruments such as a drum are used quite often, especially for sound effects. Also, in modern plays their is a tendency to use a lot of lighting in the theatre to give several different effects in the play A big difference in musicals today, is theme of musicals. Plays used to be very religious and based a lot around their god’s whereas now they can just be made for fun and entertainment. However, there are still many similarities between musicals back then and musicals today. For example even plays now can be based on specific cultures or even a play about daily life, even though theatre plays may have become very modern they still will always have a similar concept. Another similarity is the music. Music back then was very much based on what theme was being played, which is very much the same now as depending on what the story line is or what the theme is, the music will be usually based around what is going on.