1. What were the performance conventions in Sophocles' time?
During the time that Sophocles wrote 'Antigone', there were many performance conventions. For example, a limited number of actors (usually 3) were allowed to be on stage for a play. This is why the chorus was introduced. The chorus is used as a way to tell the story quickly through music, acting and dance and it helped to change up the play a bit and tell the story in a different way. The main actors would go backstage and change mask and costume to show the change of character.
Another theatrical convention used in Sophocles' time was describing all of the scenery to give the audience a feel of where the characters were. They had to do this as there was a limited use of scenery other than the backdrop at the back of the skene.
A heightened use of language could also have been used by the actors to exaggerate certain parts of the play so that they stand out to the audience.
Another theatrical convention used in Sophocles' time was describing all of the scenery to give the audience a feel of where the characters were. They had to do this as there was a limited use of scenery other than the backdrop at the back of the skene.
A heightened use of language could also have been used by the actors to exaggerate certain parts of the play so that they stand out to the audience.
2. What were the trends or fashions within the performing arts?
When Greek Theatre first started, the audience and cast embraced minimalism and used their imagination to create the scenery. The beautiful views of Greece were often used as a part of the play and scenery.
However, as plays and the theatre began to evolve, more props and actual scenery was used. For example, a 'skene', which looked like a hut on the stage, was used as a changing room, an entrance/exit and to store props. This led to a larger development of scenery in the theatre. Many Greek Theatres had a large wall called the Proskenion, which could be painted or used to hang a backdrop on.
More technical elements were also used in Greek Theatre. The Deus Ex Machina (God out of the machine) was a crane that was used to lower and lift actors on and off of the stage. Wheeled platforms called the 'Eccyclema' were used to easily transport props and furniture onto the stage. Sometimes actors pretending to be dead were also rolled onto the stage to show some of the worst consequences of doing the wrong thing.
There is not so much evidence of costumes that were used due to the perishable materials that they were made from. However, we know some of the costumes that may have been used by looking at various paintings from 4th Century Greece. Costumes were used to represent the characters, their class, social status, gender and age. For example, rich characters would wear exquisite and expensive clothing, but pooper characters wore rags and old, tattered clothing. Some of the costumes included Chitons (robes), Peplos' (cloaks), Kothurnus' (boots) and Himations (overgarments).These were embellished versions of the clothing worn in Greece.
Buskins were a type of raised platform shoe that were eventually used by Greek actors. This helped to show their status compared to the other characters in a performance. They also helped audience members far away to see the actor more visibly.
Male actors wore a wooden structure called a 'Prosderneda' to imitate breasts.
Masks were significantly used to worship Dionysus (God of theatre) and were said to have let the actors 'vanish' into their role. It is understood that Greek actors prayed to their masks before performing as it was believed that the mask contained the character. The masks were very useful as it meant that actors could portray more than one character without being identified as one particular character. This was handy as there was usually only 3 actors performing in a play.
The masks had extremely exaggerated facial expressions so that the audience could see them from far away. They were generally made from wood, clay, cork or linen.
However, as plays and the theatre began to evolve, more props and actual scenery was used. For example, a 'skene', which looked like a hut on the stage, was used as a changing room, an entrance/exit and to store props. This led to a larger development of scenery in the theatre. Many Greek Theatres had a large wall called the Proskenion, which could be painted or used to hang a backdrop on.
More technical elements were also used in Greek Theatre. The Deus Ex Machina (God out of the machine) was a crane that was used to lower and lift actors on and off of the stage. Wheeled platforms called the 'Eccyclema' were used to easily transport props and furniture onto the stage. Sometimes actors pretending to be dead were also rolled onto the stage to show some of the worst consequences of doing the wrong thing.
There is not so much evidence of costumes that were used due to the perishable materials that they were made from. However, we know some of the costumes that may have been used by looking at various paintings from 4th Century Greece. Costumes were used to represent the characters, their class, social status, gender and age. For example, rich characters would wear exquisite and expensive clothing, but pooper characters wore rags and old, tattered clothing. Some of the costumes included Chitons (robes), Peplos' (cloaks), Kothurnus' (boots) and Himations (overgarments).These were embellished versions of the clothing worn in Greece.
Buskins were a type of raised platform shoe that were eventually used by Greek actors. This helped to show their status compared to the other characters in a performance. They also helped audience members far away to see the actor more visibly.
Male actors wore a wooden structure called a 'Prosderneda' to imitate breasts.
Masks were significantly used to worship Dionysus (God of theatre) and were said to have let the actors 'vanish' into their role. It is understood that Greek actors prayed to their masks before performing as it was believed that the mask contained the character. The masks were very useful as it meant that actors could portray more than one character without being identified as one particular character. This was handy as there was usually only 3 actors performing in a play.
The masks had extremely exaggerated facial expressions so that the audience could see them from far away. They were generally made from wood, clay, cork or linen.
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