10 interesting facts about the theater and its development

Theater is an art form that combines literature, music, as well as choreography, vocals and even visual arts. Theater is of different types. For example, drama, opera, ballet, puppetry. Currently known theater pantomime. Even earlier, this art was something collective.

Now, in addition to the screenwriter, director and actors, there are other people who are involved in this work. This is a stage designer, composer, costume designers, make-up artists and many others. Everyone contributes to this incredibly powerful art.

Theater has always evolved along with society and culture. It is with them that its rise and fall is connected. In this article, we will look at 10 interesting facts about theater.

10 Appeared from ancient ritual festivities

Not many people know that the theater emerged from various ancient ritual festivities. The people who took part tried to reproduce some labor processes or phenomena that occur in our nature.

But these actions, peculiar rituals, were not theater. Many art critics assure that the theater itself appeared when a spectator appeared who was interested in this activity and display.

That is why goals can be achieved when there is a response from the audience. This happened only through teamwork. Previously, the theater existed only in inseparable unity with other components (music, singing, dancing), but now it has lost its original synthetism, as new types of it have formed.

9. Ancient Greek theater was born from the mysteries dedicated to the gods

Theater in ancient Greece originated from the mysteries, which were dedicated to the gods. They were mainly patrons of agriculture. This includes the god Dionysus, to whom many festivities have always been dedicated.

People dressed themselves in the skins of animals, mostly goats. Also, one of the main rituals that were performed was the singing of songs to unusual motives. Most often based on myths. This is how the people glorified the god Dionysus in their unusual ideas.

8. First Genres: Tragedy and Comedy

Tragedy – became the very first genre in the development of theater. In ancient Greece, this was the name given to the peculiar song of the satyrs, which translates as “song of the goats”.

This is how they glorified the creatures in the form of goats that served the god Dionysus. Satyrs have always been very fond of drinking, and when you drink alcohol, you really want to sing. Apparently, this name is connected with this. Singing became a real tragedy for the satyrs.

Tragedy in Greece is a rather serious performance that is based on Greek myths. In them, people are trying to resist the gods. But everyone understands that forces in any case are unequal.

A sad ending is always expected at the end of such Greek tragedies. Moreover, he is always sad for people. One of the most famous Greek tragedies was the story of Prometheus. It was he who brought fire to people and showed how to properly preserve it. For this he was severely punished by the god Zeus.

The second genre that appeared at the same time is considered to be comedy.. In such a funny, unpretentious and fun game, everything is simple. Here people and gods laugh and have fun. They joke with each other and at the same time nothing bad awaits anyone.

It is believed that another genre was founded – drama. It is perceived a little easier than a tragedy. In this version, people do not oppose the gods, but simply combine very harmoniously with each other. The finale is not always tragic, as people are shown here as courageous, full of strength. They can resist their fate.

7. Fathers of Greek tragedy: Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides; father of comedy – Aristophanes

Aristophanes is the father of comedy. The first comedy was staged by him in 427. But then it was exhibited under a false name.

Aristophanes wrote many comedies, but only a few have come down to us. To understand them, you need to be familiar with the life of that time. This is how the viewer will be able to appreciate the hints, sarcasm and just the depth of the whole idea. Not everyone succeeds.

Aeschylus is a playwright, also one of the fathers of tragedy.. Almost all his life he lived in an unusual city, which was always famous for mysteries and traditions. The only drama of his that has survived to this day is called The Persians.

Sophocles and Euripides – no less famous poets and playwrights. Their tragedies are characterized by rare but real dialogues, dynamic actions, as well as complex dramatic knots that are untied quite simply and naturally.

6. Antique folk theater was represented by fliacs and mimes

It is worth noting that the last genre that originated in Greece was the neo-Attic comedy. It contained simple everyday characters and plots.

Small scenes, which were more of a domestic character, were called mimes. From Greek means “imitation”. The content of this presentation was quite diverse.

Unfortunately, the texts of many written mimes have not reached us. We can only guess how simple the words and their meaning were.

It is worth noting that at this time, another type of comedy game also appeared – flyaki. Most of all they were used in Italy and Sicily. They differed from the previous ones only in that during the performance, it was necessary to wear a mask on the face.

5. Opera and ballet were born during the Renaissance

Opera and ballet appeared at the same time – during the Renaissance. Opera is a kind of theatrical art, where all the actions are very closely connected with the vocal performance and music of the orchestra. Often you can see a combination of dance in this form.

Opera also has several genres – grand opera, comic, romantic, opera-ballet and many others.

Ballet is a form of performing art. Here, choreographic images are more prevalent along with music. Most of the time, there is a purpose behind it.

4. The theater appeared in Russia in the second half of the 17th century.

Theater first appeared in Russia in the 17th century.. Many elements were taken from buffoons. Tsar Mikhail Fedorovich was the first person who thought about building a court theater. But in order to realize this idea, it was necessary to bring several foreign experts.

Thus, in 1644, a small group of actors arrived in Russia, and within a month began to put on their amazing performances. But already a full-fledged theater appeared under Alexei Mikhailovich.

3. Theater symbols – masks

A mask is a special item that is placed over a person’s face. Designed to hide identity. Each mask has a specific shape that mimics a human face.

Since ancient times, masks have played an important role in the theatrical tradition.. It is more common in Eastern cultures. But their use has continued to the present day.

2. The smallest theater in the world – “Kremlin Yard”

Austria is famous for the smallest theater in the world. It is simply called “Kremlin Yard”. Its stage dimensions are 1,3 by 1,3 meters. Only eight people can attend the performance and no more.

It is worth noting that it is listed in the Guinness Book of Records. It was first opened in 2009. The first performance that was staged here is called “Snow”, which was written based on the story of the writer Paustovsky.

1. The largest theater in the world – “Pearl on the Water”

The largest theater in the world is called “Pearl on the water”. It is located in Beijing and was built in 2007.

The theater has 3 halls, each of which can accommodate up to 6500 thousand spectators. Outwardly, it has an unusual shape, for which people called it “Egg”.