The Theatre (acting) Flashcards
Who had seats reserved for them and where were these seats?
Town councillors and other important citizens had seats reserved. They were the best seats at the front of the auditorium.
How do we know it was such a popular event (3)
- Notices were served before hand telling everybody about the next theatre day
- On the day, all the shops were closed and no trading was done in the forum.
Where were the late comers among ordinary citizens seated?
Right at the top of the large semicircular auditorium!
How many people could the large Pompeii theatre hold
5,000
What was the entree fee?
There was none!
Who paid for the theatre and what did the costs include
?
The expenses were paid by a wealthy citizen, who provided the actors, the producer, the costumes and scenery.
What was the plot of a pantomime taken from?
Greek myths
How were the spectators kept cool?
A large awning was suspended by ropes and pulleys, across most of the theatre. The awning was managed by sailors.
However, on a windy day, when the awning could not be unfurled, audiences had to bring sun hats or shades to protect themselves from the sun.
Scented water was sprinkled by attendants in between plays.
How often were plays performed?
Not everyday, but only at festivals, which were held several times a year.
Who were the pantomime actors and were they how well regarded were they?
They were usually Greek slaves or freedmen. They were admired for their skill and stamina and could often attract a fan base.
What type of production was a mixture of opera and ballet?
The pantomime
What performances would comic actors perform in?
Vulgar farces, and in short one act plays at the end of longer performances.
How were the parts in a pantomime performed?
They were mimed and danced by masked performers, while a chorus sung the lyrics.
How long would the performance last?
The performance consisted of a series of plays and lasted all day, even during the heat of the afternoon
When would the Romans set off for their day at the theatre, and what would they bring with them?
They would set off early in the morning.
They would bring the whole family, even the slave. Some brought cushions, because the seats were made of stone. Many brought food and drink for the day.
Masks were used to act out some familiar actors in comedy. Name three.
Pappus (an old fool)
Manducus (a greedy clown)
An evil slave
How did Juvenal describe the comic plays?
He describes it in a country theatre, where the children sitting on their mothers laps shrank back in horro when they saw the gaping, white masks.
What would the masks be made out of in theatre?
Made of linen and covered with plaster and then painted.
Describe the comedies of Plautus and Terence
They used a number of familiar characters, but the plots were more complicated, and the dialogue more witty than in a normal vulgar farce.
A bronze statue of who was found in Pompeii?
Sorex, a comic actor. This shows comic actors were popular, along with pantomime actors
What instruments would a pantomime orchestra contain?
Lyre, double pipes, trumpets and castanets. This provided a rhythmic beat.
What could comic plays be about?
About Italian country life and they were packed with rude jokes and slap stick.
Why would a wealthy
pay for the theatre!?
-not only to benefit his fellow citizens, but also to gain popularity which would be useful for local political elections!
