July 20, 2010, 10:31 am
Evolution of theatre can be dated back to the ancient Egypt, where some festivities have dramatized performances. It has been actually the celebration in honor of Osiris and Isis that used to be dramatized and played. Festivities and religion resulted in the birth of theatre. But if you ask about the true origin of theatre, we can safely say that Greece is the birth place of plays and performance. It all started with the feast of Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility. It was in his honor that different musical performances used to occur. Most eventfully, tragedy and comedy also evolved from the same origin. These plays used to be performed in the open air. They can actually be called the first theatre. They used to be very different from the kinds of theatres that we have in the present times. The entire get up of the place used to be very simple and dissimilar from what we have now.
Theatre in the ancient Greece used to just a place where a play can be performed. But it did not have much significances of its own. There was not much requirement for architectural designing and pattern. The entire business was much uncomplicated. It was not much of an elaborate structure. There used to be an open area which served the purpose of a stage. It was generally circular or oval in shape. It has the surrounding of hills, which made the entire get up appear like audience seats. Basically the word theatre came from “theatron” which means a viewing place. So theatre is in that sense, refer to the place where the spectators sat. It used to be a place of enjoyment where people watched performances and lavished with wine and feasts. It all was a gala show.
Orchestra used to be an important part of Greek theatre. It was the place where a group of people gathered together and sang and danced. They have a very crucial role in the plays that were played on the stage. They were known as chorus. So it is the chorus who take over the place of orchestra. In the centre of the orchestra, there was an alter of Dionysus. He was the inspiration of the entire arrangement and it is on his honor the celebration was performed. A gold and ivory statue of the wine god was built in the 4th century. Orchestra used to be the soul of the theatre. The chorus had multiple roles to play. While they had the oracular role, they also represented the psyche of the characters. The stage used to be open aired. So it was not possible to perform during rain or nay such kind of natural calamity. Gradually as days started rolling, the theatre evolved more. The present theatre reveals a marriage of modernity with early Greek traditions.
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July 19, 2010, 11:02 am
Theatre may sound to be a thing of the past. In the recent times, there has occurred an extreme increase in the production of movies. As a result of so many films in the sack, theatre is becoming quite mundane. Theatre is losing its charm, which may be because of the lack of effects that a cinema can provide but not a theatre. But however may be the disadvantages, proper research will show that theaters are still there. Many of them still survive and are earning profits also. The main fact is that people are still game for some entertainment. Any form of art, if and if it is quality work, will always get acclamation. But we can always say that theatres used to be more predominant in the ancient ages. A careful analysis of the stage development down the ages will prove that fact more.
You can ask which actually has been the source of theatre. Ancient Greece was the root of all theatre. It was in the old and traditional Greece that theatre took its birth. The celebration in honor of the god of wine – Dionysus, actually solidified into something called the play or to be more specific Tragedy. These tragedies used to be performed in stages that used to be surrounded by hills or some natural elevations. These were the places where people used to sit and watch the performance. These used to be called the theater. The theater was open aired. But slowly as civilization progressed, alterations started occurring. In the medieval ages, where the plays were mostly mystery and moralistic performances, it was nothing unnatural that the plays occurred in the Church. So church was the theatre in the medieval times. Renaissance theatre had been a deviation from the previous ages. It was actually the new streak that slowly brought about modernism in the concept of theatre.
Theater gained more prominence in the Elizabethan age and the restoration period. Globe theatre that is world renowned was built during the Elizabethan age. Globe theatre was the place where the maestro Shakespeare performed. That was indeed a golden age of dramatization. Restoration and Shakespearean theatre saw the use of props, which used to be there to enhance the dramatic effect more. Even pits came into being; to enable the lower class people have a slice of entertainment. Modern theatre is way simpler than the restoration and the Elizabethan stage. In the modern and the post modern times, there has occurred a change in the concept of theatre. More than structural innovation, the main importance is given to the plot and story of the play. Theater is built in such a way that even that hold significance to the play.
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July 18, 2010, 10:52 am
Latest technologies have made such things possible that was beyond imagination at some point of time. Could you ever believe fifty years back that you would be able to create a real theatre like surrounding is your home while watching a great movie or even the world cup football? Today, it is possible by dint of the amazing home theatres that are being popular at many homes presently. From domestic homes to big shopping malls, now you can watch amazing telecasting through these theatres. More interestingly, now you do not have to rush to the halls for watching your favorite movie. With a bowl of popcorn you can enjoy the same sitting at home now! The big giant screen with its outstanding sound effects, can truly bestow a theater like feeling when you are watching a favorite show. Now you can afford a home theatre in a reasonable price but you have to ensure certain factors while buying a home theatre.
Before buying a theatre, you have to make up your mind first where to place the home theatre. It is not like simple TV set that would take a little place to adjust. On the contrary, you would need a bigger place for setting the machine properly. Again, when you are looking for an optimized usage of the same, you have to emphasize on the environment too. Preferably, the place where you are planning to place the theater should be devoid of noise. Additionally, the room should have less furniture so that the sound effect of the machine works properly. Next, the sitting arrangement in the room has to be comfortable and facing towards the home theatre. The sitting arrangements here should be cozy and comfortable. It may be large sofas with wide armrests or even flat mattress with big spongy cushions. Moreover, for a luxurious time spending with your theatre, you need to match the environment too. If you do not focus on the sitting arrangement, all your enjoyment may vanish when you are playing the theatre.
Next important thing when are planning to buy a home theatre is your budget. There are different models available in the market. Some of them are pretty expensive. Therefore, undertake a market research on the prices before buying one. Here an online research can help to a great extent. Not only that you would be able to have a glimpse of the models but also know their individual features of the theatre. Along with the budget, you have to fix the portability and aesthetics of the machine too. It depends largely on the type of room and sitting arrangement you have. Ensuring these factors together can make your buy a successful one.
July 17, 2010, 10:46 am
Theatres are the places were real life dramas or plays are enacted. It can be described as a form of art which is performed on the stage. Many people are involved in making an act successful. The acts are based on a theme or a subject. This theme is selected depending on the type of audience or the people of that particular community. The acts are localized so as to gain more public attention. The subject matter too is taken up depending on the different cultures and religious practices of the community.
The acts performed on the theatres are often termed as dramas. These are nothing but the live plays enacted by the performers in front of the public. Theses dramas have huge capability to change the perception of the general public. It communicates the predefined messages to the masses generally to mould the thinking about any particular issue or thing.
The theatre acts have changed its face in recent times. The educative function of the acts has lessened as the entertainment factor has risened a lot. Presently the trend of these theatres is to amuse the audience by comic acts and performance. Along with dramas, dance, music and the other kinds of recreational activities are performed. It brings life to the stage shows by bringing some color into the performance. The dances which are presented are well choreographed and coordinated. Colorful costumes and props increase the entertainment level of the acts. Dramas which are performed are generally inspired from a popular novel or any recent incident of public interest.
The theatre acts are sometimes performed during certain part of a year or in any particular festivals. In many foreign countries there is a huge genre of such plays during Christmas times. During festive season we all enjoy watching entertaining performances in groups. It increases the mood of the festivity and thus becomes a medium of entertainment. At times there are many pop stars, comedians, TV celebrities, and sports person taking part in the acts or appears as special guests. It generates craze among the public which in turn raises the head count at such shows.
The classical theatres have gained a huge amount of popularity in many countries. The acts which are performed reflect the culture of one’s country. Combinations of the folk and rich costumes are incorporated in the play. Such acts are very dialogue oriented. The story line is taken from the literature or any other such thing which has a great relevance. Such classical theatre acts are very popular and are even patronized by the government of many countries. It has a huge appeal and attracts audience from all the sectors of the society. Such acts at times are awarded to bring about change and betterment. The directors and actors too gain a huge popularity. Whatever may be the theme; this form of entertainment is on a rise and will surely achieve great heights in future.
July 16, 2010, 10:40 am
Theatres have become immensely popular nowadays. Previously the only purposes of theatres were to educate the masses but it has risen from this sole purpose and has spread its wings to become a multifarious industry. It has merged into the cultures of many countries and has become an inseparable part of people’s life. There are many people involved in the making of the plays acted over there. Variety of themes is chosen depending on the choices and the preference of the people. These plays are localized to grab the interests of the commoners.
The main creative head of the play to be enacted is the director. He is often referred to as the art director. He selects the theme of the play and also looks after the entire working on and off the stage. There are many people involved in making an act successful with the viewers. The actors, director, producer, costume designers, set director, script writer, make up man, choreographers, art director, and camera man are some of the indistinguishable people of the theatre world.
After the script has been decided the director hires the people to form a team. After this a briefing with the actors and the actress are done. Mean while the makeup man and the costume designers perform their roles setting up the attire of the actors. They take the charge of making them look good and presentable in front of the audience. At times they give them the look according to the demand of the theme of the play. When the entire stage is been set up and the play is ready to be performed in front of the audience.
As discussed above there has been a sea change in the roles of these theatre acts. Earlier these were presented to raise the awareness of the general public in whole. As the time changed the outlook of the audience changed too. Nowadays societies have become modernized and a total contemporary approach is been followed in presenting these acts or plays to the public. There are modern theaters which has limitless message to convey to the people. The director tries to communicate with the audience through the stage shows which are directly or indirectly linked with the life of the people. The themes taken up too have an exciting appeal and are thus favored by all the sections of the society.
There are even many children theaters which target the younger people of the society. Such theatres are on a rise as they are becoming more and more popular among the children. Communicating the right message to the kids of the society sometimes appears as the most difficult task to the directors. The emotional awareness of children is very low as compared to the adults. Thus influencing their ideas through the acts is very difficult. As the entertainment factor has risen the popularity of the theatres too have increased tremendously and still have a lot to gain in the coming years.