Vocab
Not vocab! What was the purpose of wagons?
To bring plays from town to town
When was the Dark Ages period?
After 600s AD
What was the form of Government in the Dark Ages?
The Catholic Church
Did the Catholic church initially like theater, why or why not?
No, it was thought of as a Pagan ritual
In what period were actors amateurs vs. professionals (1st half of Medieval Times vs. 2nd half?)
1st half - Amateurs, 2nd half - Professionals
Trope
Play
When was theater reborn?
925-975 AD
What was the first trope?
Quem Quaritis (Who's there)
What was the theater's purpose when it first became acceptable?
Was included as a part of religious services
Used to visualize church lessons
How long did the play in Bourges, France take to perform in 1536?
40 days
Cycle Play
Plays performed in a yearly cycle (religious holidays)
When were plays staged indoors?
950-1250 AD
What were the 3 M’s of topics/genres?
Miracle, morality, mystery
List special effects wagons used on wagons.
Heaven: raised above other stations
Used pulleys and ropes for flying
Hell's mouth: lowered beast's head, breathed fire and smoke
Trap doors for appearance and disappearance
What were secular plays about?
Included historical figures and periods
Pageant Wagons
Moved through the streets while the audience stayed in one place (parade floats)
When were plays moved outdoors?
13th century
Where were Earth, Heaven and Hell on stage?
Heaven right, earth center, hell left
Describe costumes for: Saints, Religious hierarchy, devil, everyday people.
RH: Church Garments
Saints: Specific symbols
Secular: contemporary/everyday garments
Devil: tail, horn, beaks, claws, etc.
What groups were the main producers of plays?
Trade guilds, Municipal authorities, special societies
Platea
Generalized acting area
When did secular groups take over theater?
15th century
What were actors paid with?
Food and drink
Why did secular groups take over theater?
Plays were getting too big for churches to produce
Describe the Corpus Christi Festival.
Honored the sacrament of bread and wine
Procession of the host through the town
4-5 days to perform
Town council decided what plays to perform