STRUCTURE OF THEATRE

(JAMSHAID BASHIR)
 Birth of Drama

600s B.C. is the estimated date

of the creation of theatre.
This began from the Greeks
giving choral performances of
dancing and singing.
 The first theatre

The first famous Dionysian theatre was built into the

mountain.
 Dionysus

Dionysus was Greek God of Wine and Procreation.

Performances began at festivals honoring
Dionysus.
Over 15,000 people attended these yearly festivals.
Theatre was only performed at these festivals, and
it was so important to the ancient Greeks that
prisoners would be released from jail temporarily,
so they could also attend.
It was mandatory for slaves to attend the theatres.
 Festival of Dionysus

Tragedies performed as part of a

celebration called the City
Dionysus.
Festival lasted several days
Prizes given for best tragedy,
comedy, acting, and choral singing.
 Greek theatre

Actors change roles by changing their masks.

In Greek drama the function of the orchestra was the
chorus of man and boys performed
Greeks build their theaters on hillsides. It could hold
20,000 people!
Players included a chorus and their leader (choragus).
In Greek drama the chorus told the story through
chanted lines.
Chorus performed in an “orchestra”, not on a raised
platform.
 Dodoni Ancient Greek theatre (Hillside theatre)

Theatres were built into sides of hills so that they

could harness the natural acoustics.
Structure (Layout)
 Theatron

Seating place beside a hill for having a good

view.
Seats were made of Hill stones or wood.
It is where audience sits.
A place in front of orchestra was specified for
the king and all the subjects under his
protection.
Slaves (and women in ancient times) had to sit
at the last.
 Orchestra

A circle or semicircular stage

where actors performed.
It is the place where chorus
danced and sang songs
(odes).
 Thymele

It was an alter.

It was located in the center of the stage.
A scapegoat was slaughtered before starting the play.
 Skene

It was small building behind the orchestra.

It was used for many purposes.
The front was used for scenery.
Back of the skene was used to change the masks.
 Proskenion

The proskenion was a small platform in front of

the skene to give actors more visibility to the
audience.
 Parados

 The Parados were two broad aisles extended from orchestra

to each side of theatron which allowed the chorus to enter
the theater.
 Parados is also the term for the entrance song of the chorus.
 Masks

Masks were used for many purposes.

They masked the emotions of actors.
Everything should be grand. So, people on
higher benches could also see.
They were designed in a way that the
voices of actors became louder.
Theatrical masks were made of wood,
leather, or cloth and flour paste.
 Comedy

The word comedy comes from Greek words

“Komos” which means “band of Revelers” and
“Ode” which means “song”.
Comedy is a play that treats characters and
situations in a humorous way and always has a
happy ending.
Many Greek comedies were satire (writers made
fun of customs, politics, respected people, or
ideas).
It can have more than one protagonists.
 Structure of Comedy

Prologue
Leading character conceives a “happy idea”.
Parados
Entrance of the chorus
Agon
Dramatized debate between proponent
(supporter) and opponent of the happy idea.