The origin of the theatrical art, its prerequisites and features. Ancient Greek Theater

Ancient Greece is considered the birthplace of many arts, including theatrical, which arose at the turn of the 4-5 centuries BC. The very word "theater" is of Greek origin and is translated literally as "spectacle". The time of origin of the theatrical art is usually called the classical era, perceived as a standard and a model. The ancient Greek theater itself did not arise from scratch. For many hundreds of years, one of the most important events in the cultural life of the country was a celebration in honor of the god Dionysus. It was based on the cult rituals and symbolic games associated with the revival of nature after a long winter. In the Greek capital from the end of the 4th century BC. Every year, on a certain day of the beginning of spring, comedies, tragedies and dramas were dedicated to this event. Such theatrical performances eventually began to take place not only in Athens, but also in other parts of the country, a little later they were recognized as an obligatory part of any public holiday. The choice of performances was carried out by city authorities, they also appointed judges, who evaluated the work of "actors". Winners received incentive prizes. So, the theater became an integral part of any festival.

The first Greek theater was named after Dionysus and was located in the open air on one of the slopes of the Acropolis. The given structure was erected only for the time of staging performances and accommodated a large number of spectators. All the visual boxes, as well as its scene, were made of wooden boards. Being in such a structure was very unsafe. So, up to now, information has reached that during the seventieth Olympiad (499 BC), the wooden seats of the spectators almost completely collapsed. After this tragedy, it was decided to start building a solid stone theater.

In the 4th century BC. The second Greek Greek theater was erected, its appearance changed many times over many years of its existence. The stone theater of Dionysus was a fine example of Greek architectural art and served as a model for all other theaters that later appeared in theaters. According to some reports, the diameter of his stage (orchestras) was not less than 27 meters. At first, all the visual places were located directly around the stage, on which the theatrical performance took place. However, those who wanted to attend the performances were so numerous that they had to take certain places far beyond its walls. As a result, some viewers had to contemplate performances, sitting at a sufficiently large distance from the stage.

The Antique Theater was very different from the modern one not only with the productions, but also with the interior decoration. Thus, his actors performed on the stage, built at the level of the spectators. Only a few centuries later the scene was made to be upbeat. There was also no curtain in the ancient theater. The first visual series was usually assigned to influential people, representatives of the authorities and their approximate ones. Ordinary people had to occupy not the best places at a sufficiently large distance from the orchestra.

The theater in Ancient Greece was under full patronage of the state. The organization of all representations was carried out by high officials - archons. The costs of its maintenance, as well as the training of actors, choristers, etc. They fell on the shoulders of wealthy citizens of cities, which were called horegami. The profession of an actor and playwright in ancient Greece was considered very honorable. Many actors of the theaters at the turn of the 4-5 centuries BC. Occupied the highest official ranks, engaged in politics.

It should be said that women were not allowed to play in Greek theaters . Their roles were always performed by men. The actor should not only read the text well, but also be able to dance and sing. The basis of the appearance of the hero of the ancient Greek play was the mask, which was worn on the person playing on stage, as well as a wig. It was the mask that conveyed all of his basic emotions and experiences, allowed the viewer to distinguish between a positive character and a negative one, and so on.

The Ancient Greek theater laid the foundation for the development of European theater art in general. Even in modern theater, its basic principles are still observed, both in architecture and in the play of actors. He gave the world a dramatic dialogue, the participation of a living actor, without which the existence of theatrical art as such is impossible.