Pantomime is a special way of communicating with the outside world

Pantomime is a special kind of art, a peculiar way of communicating with the surrounding world and other people. In translation from the ancient Greek language, this word means "he who depicts everything." Thus, pantomime is a kind of theatrical performance in which the main meaning of what is happening is conveyed by gestures, not words.

The origins of "silent" art

There was such art in ancient times and was part of pagan rituals and rituals. The pantomime theater appeared in the Roman Empire during the Augustus era. Later, in the troubled medieval times, the church imposed a ban on pantomime, but the latter continued to exist in the art of wandering jugglers, mimes, minstrels and buffoons.

His heyday of this kind of art reached in the Renaissance in the improvised comedy del arte, in the staging of wandering Italian actors. The first pantomime is an amorous (domestic) melodrama, a harlequin, which by the 19th century became the favorite genre of French ballet theater.

Theater of modern times

As a theatrical ballet pantomime first appeared in 1702 at the London's Drury Lane Theater. During the 18th century it was performed as an interlude in the interludes of comedies and tragedies. As a pantomime dance became part of the ballet-drama of J. J. Nover.

As a separate variety "mute" scene actively developed in the music halls and theaters of miniatures of Europe in the late 19th century. Later there was a school of pantomime in Marseilles, which was headed by L. Ruff. For the first time an actor appears on the stage of the London theater, which, in the end, will gain world fame, the best comedian of the silent genre, Chaplin. In Germany, this type of art involved M. Reinhardt.

In the second half of the 20th century, pointless pantomime appears - a kind of story with the use of non-existent, imaginary objects. Mime of our days must perfectly master its body. It must be universal: a juggler, an acrobat, a dramatic artist, and at the same time it is perfectly understandable in the language of the ballet. Moreover, a good mime is first and foremost a philosopher, capable of laying out certain moods, thoughts, experiences in other people with the help of gestures alone.

Types of pantomime

There are several main types of "silent" art:

- dance (originated in rites and rituals of ancient people, pagan tribes, still preserved in many peoples);

- classical (sources can be seen in the spectacles of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, it harmoniously combines verses, music and action);

- Acrobatic (includes juggling, jumping, various tricks, takes the origins of the Oriental theater, is actively used in the circus);

- eccentric (used in the circus, at the heart of any comical situation, in the scene involved a special props).

The circus pantomime is also considered a battle, zoopantomime, water and adventure extravaganza with massive scenes and special effects. The latter kind is the highest level of skill.

There are two types of this art: solo-pantomime - the work of one artist, and theatrical, with the participation of a team of actors, using scenery and script.

Genres of pantomime

In its genre pantomime - it's a comedy, a tragedy or a drama, a fairy tale or a myth, a pamphlet or short story, a pop miniature. In a word, everything is subject to her. Comedy is characterized by a satirical, humorous approach. The conflict or struggle of the characters is decided specifically. Chaplin is recognized as an ingenious comic-mime of all times. In the tragedy the plot ends in a catastrophe. The tragic pantomime is marked by seriousness, an expression of contradictions, a conflict.

Fairy tale and myth, as a rule, tell of some fictional characters and characters, often endowed with incredible abilities for magic and witchcraft. "Silent" staging can also be a pamphlet character, expressing the denial of existing life principles, the political structure of the country, can have the features of mockery, revelation. In the case of the performance of the novel, the mime tells with gestures about some lyrical plot. This may be pantomime - the game of one actor, or a whole team of mimes.

Pantomime in Russia

Christmas tree, various rituals, carnival, as well as all kinds of fair theaters and clownery were the sources of "silent" art in Russia. At the beginning of the 20th century, dramatic pantomime appeared in the work of modern filmmakers: N. Evreinov's "Crooked Mirror", K. Mardzhanov's "Tears", A. Tairov's "Box with Toys", V. Meyerhold's "Columbus Scarf".

The original principles of the old pantomime of the theater were reinterpreted, pouring out with something new, accompanied by reading poetry, music and choreography. In the mid-40s of the 20th century, this kind of art fades, because the priority is the word - more understandable to the masses, not requiring guesswork. In circus numbers, talking clowns replaced comic mimes. But nevertheless in the ballet pantomime really blossoms. There are choreodramas and dramblets, based on "mute" skits, and not pure dance.