THE2000:Notes:3-19-07
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Kalidasa
- Most well known Sanskrit playwright
Theatre in China
- Tang dynasty � developed the Pear Garden, one of the first actor training schools
- Musical, protagonist is lead singer
Peking Opera
- Developed in 19th century
- Combines music, theatre, dance, and acrobatics.
- Akin to modern dinner theater
- Ornate costume and make-up, much symbolism
Japanese Drama
Noh
- God Plays
- Praising the gods, quiet and dignified
- Warrior Plays
- The protagonist is usually a slain warrior, comes back in spirit.
- Woman Plays
- Protagonist is a woman, elegant and style
- Demon Plays
- Battle between demon and hero, demon is usually defeated
- Miscellaneous
Same stage every time, with specific stations. 4-5 musicians who accompany the actors
Bunraku
- Musicians and chanters tell the story with puppets and create the voices
- Puppets are 2/3 size of humans
- Much training and dedication required to become a puppetmaster
Kabuki
- 17th Century
- Drew its material from plays written for Noh and Bunraku
- Melodramatic, good vs. evil
- Popular among middle class
Medieval Theater
- The period from 500 to 1500 CE in western history is known as the Middle Ages or medieval area
- Liturgical dramas � produced by the Church, to teach the Bible
- Vernacular dramas
- Mystery or cycle plays
- The Second Shepherd's Play
- Several plays strung together to form series, hence "cycle"
- Morality Plays
- Very short, equivalent to a one-act
Medieval Theatrical Scenery
- Mansions � single scenic unit behind the stage
- Wagons � portable stages, moved through streets
