Ancient theater: Ancient Greece and Rome. Theater and children: the magical power of art

In all theater halls and artistic productions, in all acting troupes and stage traditions, you can see ancient Greek roots: the basics of drama, the rules of acting, the principles of designing performances, the addition of music, the use of specialized technical support, and even the stationary theater structures themselves - all this originated in beautiful Hellas.

The ancient inhabitants of Greece connected oratory with literature, added acting and complemented the traditional folk song, having received a bewitching action that was adopted by all world cultures. But, having so much in common, the difference between the theater of Ancient Greece and modern performing arts huge.

Theater season

Ancient Greek theaters staged theatrical performances as part of a religious cult in honor of the god of fertility Dionysus, who modern culture better known as the god of wine. Celebrations took place several times a year and coincided with important agricultural cycles.

The first plots were based on legends, the stories of which illuminated the life of the god Dionysus; Later, other mythological themes and heroes began to appear in the repertoire. With development theatrical arts The nature of the author’s plays also changed; various everyday themes “on the topic of the day” began to enjoy greater popularity. The success of a play was often determined by the playwright’s attitude towards to the common people, authenticity and fairness of the events of the literary text to mere mortals.

Everyone was allowed to come to the theater. Wealthy citizens of Greek city-states came to the theater with their whole families, accompanied by house slaves. Theater days declared compulsory days off for everyone. “spectacular coins” were distributed to the poor sections of the population, giving them the right to free visit performances.

Usually theater season lasted three days. Performances in a competitive form were offered to the viewer creative works three best author-readers who were selected in advance by a special commission. Each playwright demonstrated three tragedies and one satirical drama (comedy). All works were presented in poetic form with the participation of the choir. The plays were never repeated.

Scene

Theater buildings were located under open air at the foot of a natural hill. Spectator seats were cut in stepped rows all the way to the top of the mountain. One theater could accommodate several thousand people at a time. A stage was constructed at the base of the hill, on which a choir, actors and a small tent with props were located during the Dionysian festivities.

Many spectators went to the theater marathon carefully prepared, stocking up on provisions and soft pillows. The plays were read without interruption from morning until sunset. Spectators were free to come and go at any time. The audience could discuss what was happening on stage out loud without mincing words.

Characters

Initially, the author of the play was also its performer. The readers, accompanied by a choir, performed dramatic works. Over time, the playwright was replaced by an actor. Gradually the number of performers increased to three people. To elevate the readers from the crowd of singers, the main artists were placed on high shoes. Professional artists did not exist, any resident of the Greek democratic polis could try himself in the role. The main expressive device was the voice and speech talents of the protagonist. Features of acoustic perception were put at the forefront.

The audience of thousands did not have the opportunity to appreciate the acting, so large, brightly colored masks were used to convey the emotions, mood and image of the characters. For each role, several types of masks were prepared so that the viewer from the back rows could learn about the change in the actor’s mood. All roles were played by men. Women's images represented by actors in women's dresses and wearing appropriate masks.

Over time, new theatrical techniques were added, and the culture of gestures and choreographic movements actively developed. The person applying for the role passed special tests in which he showed his vocal and dancing abilities.

Directing experiments were carried out using various stage techniques. For example, a machine that allows you to lift an actor above the stage became a popular ancient Greek special effect.
A curtain

At the end of the dramatic competition, a special commission chose the winner. Many authors became winners year after year - their best works can also be seen on modern theater stages.

Spectators also actively intervened in the judging. Successful performances were applauded for a long time, but unsuccessful ones could be stoned without waiting final scene. Theatrical productions often included long educational monologues in the plot, intended for a wide audience.

The theater was considered a public institution, the costs of which the state willingly shared with wealthy citizens. The content of the choir, as well as material aid best authors and actors were considered an honorable duty. Accomplished playwrights and popular actors were highly respected and were often elected to senior government positions.

The theater has always had great amount admirers. But in the era of its inception it was somewhat different from what it is now. So, let's find out what the difference is between modern theater and ancient Greek.

A little history

The first performances, the heroes of which tried on various roles, began to be performed even before the advent of special places called theaters. This happened in days mass celebrations in honor of Dionysus, the revered god of wine. The myths about Dionysus say that spring, and with it the revival of life in Greece, begins with the arrival of this particular god. He does not wander the earth alone, but surrounded by his loyal subjects - satyrs, to the tunes of pipes and flutes.

The holiday was called by the name of God - the Great Dionysia. The Greeks, trying to resemble the satyrs from the myth, put on comical goat masks, dressed in the skins of these horned animals and tied up their beards from wavy oak leaves. The noisy procession moved along the city streets until it reached a spacious square. The singer separated from the group of mummers and began to recite in a loud voice stories about the wanderings of Dionysus. The rest of the participants merrily sang along with him. Then skits were performed in front of the audience, the heroes of which were mythological characters.

Such annual performances were so long-awaited and beloved that special places began to be allocated for them. The site was usually set up at the foot of the hill - sitting or standing on the slope, it was most convenient for spectators to see exciting game actors. This is how the theater was born, which not only has survived to this day, but also now appears as an extremely valuable form of art.

Comparison

Continuing the conversation, let us dwell in more detail on some points that allow us to compare the theater that existed at different times.

Performance venue

Modern theaters- these are, as a rule, graceful buildings, the design of which, naturally, has a roof. The interior arrangement includes an auditorium with special chairs, a stage with a curtain, and backstage.

Ancient Greek theater- This is a specially arranged open space. The stage is a round platform, correctly called an orchestra. The benches for spectators are hard rocky thresholds carved into the hillsides. There is no curtain.

Frequency of display

The difference between modern theater and ancient Greek theater is that now performances are constantly offered to the audience. And the most striking events in this field of art are theater festivals.

In ancient times, actors delighted the public much less often - only a few times in a whole year. And the Dionysian festivals served as a kind of reference point. By the way, only those with a ticket, lead or made of baked clay, received the right to watch the mesmerizing spectacle.

Gender of actors

Nowadays, both men and women have the opportunity to express themselves in the acting field. In the ancient Greek theater, only men could have such a privilege. They also played female roles. This was due to the fact that productions were often dedicated to the gods, and it was considered impermissible to entrust such a responsible mission to women.

Game Features

In a modern theater, lighting and other details are organized in such a way that the facial expressions of the actors and important elements of their costumes are clearly visible. Therefore, the viewer can easily determine the stage type of each character and grasp his state of mind.

In the huge ancient Greek theater there was good audibility, but it was difficult for the public to see many details. In this regard, the actors had to use special visual means. One of them were expressive clay masks. Simultaneously with the change in the hero’s emotions and mood, the actor also changed his mask.

Dramatized genres

What is the difference modern theater from ancient Greek, if you compare their genre palette? Because now the theater shows the most diverse performances in this regard.

The list of genres of ancient drama is quite small. This is a tragedy (in such productions the characters often die) and a comedy, which made the naive and impressionable Greek viewer laugh heartily.

Contemporary theater represents experimental forms. Formal experiments began in the twenties of the 20th century. The first theater that was experimental in nature was the Meyerhold Theater. He surprised, fascinated and shocked the viewer. The Russian viewer, who is accustomed to classical productions had difficulty accepting stage innovations. Experimenting with content is a much more complex process and is associated primarily with the work of playwrights. Today, modern theater has a number of features in contrast to the theater of the past

1. “Modernizing” the classics. For example, Khlestakov at the end of the play “The Inspector General” can read a rap, or all the actors can be dressed by the director in modern costumes and talk in mobile phones. Attitudes towards this type of theatrical art are completely different: on the one hand, art must constantly keep up with the times, and on the other hand, in the conditions popular culture you can lose the historical originality of all theatrical classics. The emergence of new dramaturgy has been greatly slowed down, and this is also not encouraging.

2.Performance a penchant for productions and bright shows, shocking. In addition, this is the non-standard nature of the place: performances can take place not only on stage, but almost anywhere: in a basement, on the street, in a former plant or factory. Today the theater is in search of new forms and genres. New views on life and reality must also correspond to new directing techniques.

3. Multi-format theater. What don't you see on stage? Not only performances, but also bright shows, performances, musicals and stand-ups for audiences for every taste.

4. Today the theater indulges the audience, becomes object of consumption. And today the main task modern theater - to educate the viewer, develop his inner world, teach him to see what is hidden from our sight.

5. If we compare the modern theater with the ancient one, then new professions appear here - one of the brightest was director's profession. Today it comes to the fore.

6. Another feature of modern theater is process of generational change. If earlier it was very painful, now the renewal and rejuvenation of all theater departments - from creative to managerial - is happening more naturally. Today the theater is called director's theater, not acting theater.

7. New theater gave birth to a new viewer. First of all, the knowledgeable viewer, who first of all chose another theater for his theatrical leisure.

8. Negative trait, perhaps, is commercialization of the theater. Today there are more and more theatrical productions economically profitable, but rather low-grade. Such a theater attracts famous actors and funny performances.

9. Modern theater is called upon shock. “Shock is the norm,” is the slogan of modern drama. For the theater, pain is the norm, disaster is the norm, horror is the norm.

Modern theater has developed under the influence of many factors. Time, fashion, economics and even politics influence theater repertoires and forms of productions. It’s not for nothing that there is a saying “Theater is the mirror of life.” Modern theater not only reflects life, but also pays close attention inner world modern man.

The word “theater” conceals a subtle interweaving of almost all the arts that exist on the planet today. This includes: music, painting, cinema, architecture, photography, dance, rhetoric. The actor serves as a means of expression here. It is he who, using all possible methods, must convey to the viewer the meaning of what is happening.

Not only people can be artists. These could be puppets, animals or objects that are manipulated behind the scenes. It is impossible without an audience. All types of theaters have big influence per person. Watching what is happening on stage, the viewer himself is mentally transported there and experiences a state called “catharsis” - purification through suffering. This happens, naturally, if the artists are true professionals.

Let's look at what theaters there are. Types of theaters:

dramatic;
opera and ballet;
puppet;
pantomime;
musical;
operetta;
theater of the absurd;
one-man show;
parody theater;

In this art, the actors are not the people themselves, but the puppets that are controlled. There are the following types of theaters for children:

Stand.
Living puppet theater.
Floor.
Wrist.
Desktop.

Stand option is one of the most interesting options. It can be divided into the following types:

Theater on flannelgraph. A tablet that is covered with a base fabric, usually fleece. Current characters there are also soft toys here. They have Velcro attached to the back; they attach well to the fleece fabric. The director here is an adult or the child himself. As the plot develops, the actors move and the scenery may change.
Theater on magnets. Structurally, it completely repeats the previous version. Only instead of using a board with fabric, it uses a surface that attracts magnets attached to the back of the figures.
Shadow theater. One of the most interesting among different types theaters for children. Develops children's imagination. To create a theater you will need a white fabric screen and a lamp. You can use toys or your own hands as characters.

Horse puppet theater

The term appeared in the 16th century. The peculiarity of the art is that the puppet characters are above the puppeteer’s head.

Divided into several types:

Cane. Puppet characters here they are fixed on special long sticks.
"Bee-ba-bo." Toy characters are placed on the puppeteer's hand. A high screen is used that completely hides the person.
Theater of Spoons. A wonderful view of the theater for the little ones. The character's face is drawn on the spoon, and an outfit is attached to the handle. Children themselves love to control such heroes.

Theater of grassroots and middle puppetry

Grassroots theater: Puppeteers control characters (puppets) that are attached to wire, rods or strings. In this case, the actors are hidden not behind a screen, but rather an upper curtain or canopy.

Theater of the Middle: puppets are controlled at the level of human height. The middle class includes shadow theater.

Drama Theater

Its main difference from all other forms of art is that what is happening on stage is always based on the famous literary work. All this action is supervised by the director, who, based on his own vision, creates a picture for the viewer. This type also involves improvisation.

Ballet

This is the transmission of the plot, the main idea through classical or characteristic (folk) dance. In such a performance there is a dramatic content or libretto. There are very rarely plotless productions. The artist, through his plasticity, must convey the complex relationships of the characters on stage.

Peculiarities classical ballet:

Difficult turning positions of the legs. The tradition came from such an art as fencing. They allow you to move perfectly in any direction. The first performers in the ballet were courtiers. All of them were excellent fencers, and it was not difficult for them.
Playing parts on fingers, which appeared in the 19th century. The technique was first used by Maria Taglioni.

Opera

This is one of the types musical theater, in which the actors convey main idea through vocals. What happens on stage is based on a libretto - a literary work, the plot of which is set to music by the composer. Opera always begins with an overture. This is a symphonic introduction that introduces the audience to summary performances through music. Opera theatre It is a large, complexly constructed building. This is the main condition for the excellent sound of the voices of vocalists and orchestras. The largest opera houses in the world:

Metropolitan Opera;
San Francisco Opera;
Italian La Scala.

Street theater

It differs in that all actions take place in the open air. It could be a square, a park, or just a busy pedestrian street. As a rule, there is no equipped stage here, so artists can mingle with the crowd. Passers-by become not only spectators, but also actors. They can make adjustments to the script, so street theater plenty of room for improvisation.

One-man show

A performance in which main character is the only performer and conducts a monologue. Today, its popular genre is stand-up comedy. Among the main types of one-man performances are: staging a monodrama, staging a play and a concert composition.

Theater of the Absurd

Quite young, as it arose in the 20th century. In such plays there is no logical structure, there is no plot as such, but there is only a heap of facts, dialogues, destinies different people and their ridiculous actions.

Exist different kinds theaters, but everywhere, the action that takes place in front of the viewer is called a performance. The latter is divided into the following genres:

melodrama;
drama;
mystery;
monodrama;
vaudeville;
comedy;
pastoral;
soti;
tragedy;
musical;
morality;
tragicomedy;
farce;
fliacs;
extravaganza.

Types of modern theater

Every year theater festivals are held around the world. The servants of Melpomene invite the viewer to see what types of theaters are born and developed in modern society. Some of them go against the grain, while others are simply fascinating. So, let's talk about the types of theater that shock us.

The famous modern theater of Roman Viktyuk

National artist Russia unexpectedly burst into the art world to turn its academic form on its head. For example, in his most famous play, “The Maids,” all the roles are played by men. Roman Viktyuk begins to stage his performances in Moscow in the 70s of the last century. Every year on November 28 the theater presents new performance. Therefore, his repertoire is quite wide (at least 200 productions).

Performance

It is designed to shock the viewer, to show bright show, swirl, can create the effect of parallel reality. Characteristic feature modern productions is that the action can now take place not only on the stage, but simply on the street, in an abandoned factory, warehouse, factory, airport, basement, abandoned building. This definition of performance exists only in the post-Soviet space.

European theatergoers do not classify it as a type of theater at all, but consider performance its complete opposite. The queen of the genre, Marina Abramovic, says that those who truly love performance art should hate theater for its fakeness. It considers art to be a person’s self-expression, not a written story. The first actor of this genre can be considered Diogenes, who lived in a barrel.

Most often in real life we encounter the interweaving of dramatic theater and performance. This is a synthesis of reality and fiction. In such a performance, the viewer often becomes a participant, or some kind of provocation unfolds in front of him. Actors can appear naked, fight until they bleed, or relieve themselves on stage.

Physical theater

Its specificity originated in Ancient Greece, but we returned to it in the middle of the 20th century. The following people made their contribution to the development of modern physical theater:

“theater of cruelty” by Antonin Artaud;
“biomechanics” by Meyerhold;
“poor theater” by Jerzy Grotowski;
Japanese Noh theater

Physical theater is by no means pantomime, but often its opposite. The image of a sad mime, who is doomed to remain silent and, like a doll, to communicate only with movements, albeit graceful and incredibly smooth, has faded into the background. If the plot of a physical theater performance requires words, then the actors can speak on stage.

A new direction in dance—contemporary—shows a great resemblance to physical theater. In it, the viewer can clearly trace the dramatic line.

“Biomechanics” - physical theater lessons

The founder of “biomechanics” is Meyerhold. Arose in post-revolutionary Russia, which healed absolutely new life. Fresh slogans and reforms promoting work, physical education and excellence human body, hooked and theatrical stage. In “biomechanics” the artist is subject to general mechanical laws. He is guided by rhythm, meter and size.

Vsevolod Emilievich Meyerhold developed a technique aimed at developing plasticity and control of one’s own body, as well as the circulation of internal energy flows. This was a series of lessons for aspiring actors to relieve them of being stuck on stage.

Despite the fact that he was a student of Stanislavsky, over time he became his opponent. If Stanislavsky considered a sign of a good game to be an emotional component that comes from within, then his counterpart said that external actions should give rise to the emotional tone of what is happening on stage.

Today, Meyerhold's followers stage performances in small private theaters, and also offer classes in creative studios for adults and children. Professional actors also do not forget Meyerhold’s technique.

His trainings involve the development of both physical and spiritual capabilities of people. He believed that the abilities of the human body and soul were limitless, and that it was possible to hone the skills of self-control and subjugate internal energy, which will definitely come in handy in real life.

In the modern “biomechanics” course, yoga asanas, wushu techniques, circus elements, traditional Japanese theater and the principles of Buddhism.

Become an artist

Today, every person has the opportunity not only to be a spectator, but also to go on stage. If you feel unspent creative potential, or on the contrary, you lack self-confidence, then they are waiting for you in the theater studio. Acting courses are an adventure for the brave. The main conversation in your life will take place here - dialogue with yourself.

In an acting studio you will get to know yourself better. Every spoken word will sound in full force, movements will become graceful and precise. Stiffness and constriction, which manifests itself in the form of stooping and downcast eyes - mental fatigue - will go away.

After working with teachers in a theater studio, a miracle will happen: fears will go away, managing emotions will become easy. You will begin to express your thoughts concisely and at the same time colorfully.