Page 26 - RD_2015_12

The Classical Legacy: Theatre In Ancient Greece

By Cameron Hall

As with all institutions and honour of the Greek god Dionysus. The THE PLAYWRIGHTS
practices, live theatre has evolved over City Dionysia was held each year at the Dionysian festivals coincided with a
time. However, the basics of this art end of March. It was the belief of the glorious era of Greek literature -the
form are indelibly linked to a golden ancient Greeks that humanity would not classical age of the fifth century BC -
age of Greek drama. Furthermore, the survive without Dionysus. He was the when Athens defeated Persia and
literature and performances of the god of wine and fertility. He extended her empire to all of the
classical era inspired the construction engendered both passion and horror Aegean region, when plague devastated
of brilliantly conceived theatres in, and into society. How apt that the most her population, when democratic
then beyond the Greek world, some flamboyant plays should be performed changes were instituted, then lost and
fascinating remains of which are still at a festival in his name. restored, until finally the empire was
with us today. Three theatre genres were first seen lost after defeat in war.
THE DIONYSIAN FESTIVALS at the City Dionysia: In the face of such turbulence it is
Scholars believe that drama emanated 534BC - The first tragedy remarkable that Athens remained the
from ceremonies, especially religious 501BC - The first satyr play. A play centre of intellectual thought. It did so,
ones. When we speak of ancient Greek depicting satyrs and nymphs could lean despite periods of chaos, because the
drama, we refer specifically to the drama to either tragedy or comedy. rise of philosophy, rhetoric and prose
of Attica, of Athens and it's surrounding 486BC - The first comedy under the inspired tutelage of Plato,
towns and villages. Dionysian festivals became Aristotle and Isocrates was a legacy
that no other centre could challenge.
The annual Lenaea festival was held prestigious events. Each year a panel of
Four playwrights flourished during this
at the end of January in Athens. It judges appraised the work of the
era and delivered the nascent art-form
included a drama festival from about playwrights and actors. Pride was at
of drama to the summit of popular
440BC. The drama of Lenaea consisted stake, and the competition was intense.
appreciation.
predominantly of comedy, and not The festivals became so popular that
much tragedy. most towns adopted a localised version.
Another popular festival of Athens These became known as the Rural
was the City Dionysia, named in Dionysia.
Top: Greek influence outside Greece; the theatre at Petra, Jordan.

26 2006 CINEMARECORD