MEDIEVAL MEDIEVAL THEATRE IN THEATRE IN

EUROPEEUROPE

IntroductionIntroduction Timeframe: from the fall of the Western Roman Timeframe: from the fall of the Western Roman

Empire to the beginning of Renaissance. 5Empire to the beginning of Renaissance. 5 thth century till the middle of the 16century till the middle of the 16thth century. century.

Secular theatre died in Western Europe with the Secular theatre died in Western Europe with the fall of Romefall of Rome

Most medieval theatre is religious in nature.Most medieval theatre is religious in nature. Not well documented due to a lack of surviving Not well documented due to a lack of surviving

records and texts.records and texts.

Society divided in:Society divided in:1.Roman catholic church, which dominated 1.Roman catholic church, which dominated

religion, education and often politics.religion, education and often politics.2.The feudal lords, who owned the land and 2.The feudal lords, who owned the land and

the serfs.the serfs.3.Serfs(peasants), who paid taxes and 3.Serfs(peasants), who paid taxes and

served in the military whenever needed.served in the military whenever needed.

Theatre in Theatre in the dark ages (the dark ages (500-1000 500-1000

ADAD) )

At the beginning of the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic At the beginning of the Middle Ages, the Roman Catholic Church banned theatrical performances as barbaric and Church banned theatrical performances as barbaric and pagan.pagan.

Small groups of traveling performers – minstrels, Small groups of traveling performers – minstrels, jugglers, acrobats, bards, mimes, puppeteers -- went jugglers, acrobats, bards, mimes, puppeteers -- went from town to town entertaining.from town to town entertaining.

These were the only entertainment for the time. They These were the only entertainment for the time. They were also precursors of Commedia Dell’Arte in France were also precursors of Commedia Dell’Arte in France and Italy and today’s circuses.and Italy and today’s circuses.

Drama in the 10Drama in the 10thth century centuryImportant to note that the Roman Catholic Church who Important to note that the Roman Catholic Church who shut down classical theatre also took part in the rebirth of shut down classical theatre also took part in the rebirth of the theatre in the 10the theatre in the 10thth century. century.

Perhaps the church had little choice – it couldn't stop the Perhaps the church had little choice – it couldn't stop the pagan rites – too popular – so many aspects of pagan pagan rites – too popular – so many aspects of pagan rites found their way into Christian ceremonies. rites found their way into Christian ceremonies.

Hrotsvit of Hrotsvit of GandersheimGandersheim

935-1000935-1000

aka Roswitha, Hrotswitha, Hrotsvitaaka Roswitha, Hrotswitha, Hrotsvita Canoness at the convent of Canoness at the convent of

Gandersheim in GermanyGandersheim in Germany One of the earliest European One of the earliest European

playwrightsplaywrights Her 6 plays, written in Latin, are based Her 6 plays, written in Latin, are based

on Roman comedies by on Roman comedies by TerenceTerence, but , but focus on female characters in situations focus on female characters in situations that test their devotion to Christian that test their devotion to Christian virtues. virtues.

Her intention was to revise the negative Her intention was to revise the negative portrayals of women that she found in portrayals of women that she found in his comedies. his comedies.

Types of Medieval DramaTypes of Medieval Drama Liturgical tropesLiturgical tropes: gospel : gospel

dramatizationsdramatizations Mystery playsMystery plays: Biblical plays: Biblical plays Miracle playsMiracle plays: saints’ lives: saints’ lives Morality playsMorality plays: allegories: allegories Interludes and farcesInterludes and farces: secular plays: secular plays Folk playsFolk plays: pagan and folklore : pagan and folklore

elementselements

LITURGICAL DRAMA (925-LITURGICAL DRAMA (925-975A.D)975A.D)

The content was from the church liturgy The content was from the church liturgy and it was performed by clergy during the and it was performed by clergy during the church services.church services.

These contained some theatrical elements These contained some theatrical elements and the first short plays were called and the first short plays were called tropes.tropes.

The dramas were written in LatinThe dramas were written in Latin..

Religious Vernacular DramaReligious Vernacular Drama Vernacular: everyday speech. Roman Vernacular: everyday speech. Roman

catholic clergy switched from Latin to the catholic clergy switched from Latin to the languages of the people they served to.languages of the people they served to.

The plays needed more actors and The plays needed more actors and common people began acting as amateur common people began acting as amateur performers.performers.

As these plays became more elaborate As these plays became more elaborate they were performed outside the church.they were performed outside the church.

The Religious Vernacular PlaysThe Religious Vernacular Plays Performed in cyclesPerformed in cycles Aimed to reinforce Church doctrineAimed to reinforce Church doctrine Melodramatic Melodramatic good-rewarded and evil-punishedgood-rewarded and evil-punished God and his plan were the driving forces not the God and his plan were the driving forces not the

characters.characters. 3 kinds of religious plays: 3 kinds of religious plays:

Mystery playsMystery playsMiracle playsMiracle playsMorality playsMorality plays

The 3 M’s of Religious The 3 M’s of Religious Vernacular DramaVernacular Drama

Mystery playsMystery plays: Biblical stories: Biblical stories Miracle playsMiracle plays: saints’ lives: saints’ lives

Morality playsMorality plays: allegories: allegories

Mystery (cycle) PlaysMystery (cycle) Plays Mystery:Mystery: from French from French mysteremystere -- secret. The -- secret. The

term could refer to Biblical truths or to the term could refer to Biblical truths or to the secrets of the crafts held by the guilds who were secrets of the crafts held by the guilds who were responsible for producing the plays.responsible for producing the plays.

In England, these Biblical plays were produced In England, these Biblical plays were produced in cycles: a series of plays depicting Biblical in cycles: a series of plays depicting Biblical history from the Creation to the Last Judgement. history from the Creation to the Last Judgement. Also known as Also known as Cycle PlaysCycle Plays..

The cycles were usually performed at the The cycles were usually performed at the religious festival of religious festival of Corpus ChristiCorpus Christi -- in the spring -- in the spring or early summer.or early summer.

Mystery (cycle) PlaysMystery (cycle) Plays While the plays were written by the clergy and overseen While the plays were written by the clergy and overseen

by the Church, the performances were produced by the by the Church, the performances were produced by the guilds guilds of each town and mostly performed by amateur of each town and mostly performed by amateur actors.actors.

Productions were considered a religious duty, and each Productions were considered a religious duty, and each guild invested considerable resources into productions.guild invested considerable resources into productions.

Plays were often assigned to guilds associated with the Plays were often assigned to guilds associated with the subject matter of the play and became a kind of subject matter of the play and became a kind of “advertisement”“advertisement”• The Flood: Shipbuilders or BarrelmakersThe Flood: Shipbuilders or Barrelmakers• The last supper: BakersThe last supper: Bakers• The Magi: GoldsmithsThe Magi: Goldsmiths

Mystery PlaysMystery Plays Stationary stageStationary stage Mansions set up in row, side by sideMansions set up in row, side by side Heaven is “stage right”Heaven is “stage right” Hell is “stage left”Hell is “stage left” Platforms covered with cotton (the "Platforms covered with cotton (the "glories")glories")

held angels. held angels. ““HellmouthHellmouth” - ” - a fire-breathing monster a fire-breathing monster

representing hellrepresenting hell

Dramatic techniquesDramatic techniques English mystery plays incorporate a combination of English mystery plays incorporate a combination of

high seriousness and low comedy:high seriousness and low comedy:• High seriousness: the Biblical stories of the Old High seriousness: the Biblical stories of the Old

Testament and Jesus’ life and missionTestament and Jesus’ life and mission• Low comedy: the plays incorporate almost slapstick Low comedy: the plays incorporate almost slapstick

sketches of contemporary medieval daily life.sketches of contemporary medieval daily life. The plays are set in contemporary settings with The plays are set in contemporary settings with

recognizable contemporary characters: the truth of the recognizable contemporary characters: the truth of the Biblical stories is timeless -- the divine truths revealed in Biblical stories is timeless -- the divine truths revealed in the Bible are still true “today”.the Bible are still true “today”.

Continued…Continued… Theatre was performed in Theatre was performed in found spacesfound spaces: town : town

squares, taverns, churches, banquet halls -- no squares, taverns, churches, banquet halls -- no specifically designated theatresspecifically designated theatres

Theatre was Theatre was intimateintimate -- audience interacted with -- audience interacted with performersperformers

Elaborate special effectsElaborate special effects Characterization was often dependent upon Characterization was often dependent upon

costume and makeupcostume and makeup In France even women were allowed to perform.In France even women were allowed to perform.

English cycle playsEnglish cycle plays Each cathedral town had its own cycle:Each cathedral town had its own cycle:

• YorkYork• ChesterChester• WakefieldWakefield• N-townN-town

The cycles were very popular amongst commoners and nobility: The cycles were very popular amongst commoners and nobility: records show that both Henry VIII and Elizabeth I attended records show that both Henry VIII and Elizabeth I attended performances.performances.

The Protestant Reformation brought a halt to the presentation of The Protestant Reformation brought a halt to the presentation of cycle plays as they incorporated Roman Catholic theology.cycle plays as they incorporated Roman Catholic theology.

Cycles were performed every 2-10 years. Cycles were performed every 2-10 years. Some became huge spectacles. “The Acts of the Apostles” Some became huge spectacles. “The Acts of the Apostles”

performed at Bourges, France in 1536 lasted 40 days and involved performed at Bourges, France in 1536 lasted 40 days and involved over 300 performers. over 300 performers.

StagingStaging MansionsMansions - small scenic structures for indicating location. In - small scenic structures for indicating location. In

more complex plays, there were many mansions. more complex plays, there were many mansions. PlateaPlatea – open acting space, adjacent to the mansion. – open acting space, adjacent to the mansion.

The church structure usually served as the mansions (the choir The church structure usually served as the mansions (the choir loft, for instance, could serve as heaven; the altar might be the loft, for instance, could serve as heaven; the altar might be the tomb of Christ). tomb of Christ).

Machinery was also used: to fly Christ up to heaven, have Machinery was also used: to fly Christ up to heaven, have angels come down, etc. angels come down, etc.

Costumes were probably ordinary church vestments. Costumes were probably ordinary church vestments.

Staging the PlaysStaging the Plays PROCESSIONALPROCESSIONAL

• Pageant wagonsPageant wagons would would travel a set route and perform at several locations: travel a set route and perform at several locations:

like a parade or like a parade or would be set up around a town square and the would be set up around a town square and the

audience would travel from one wagon to the next audience would travel from one wagon to the next to see the performancesto see the performances

STATIONARY STATIONARY • MansionsMansions or a series of stages would be set up or a series of stages would be set up

around the town squarearound the town square• Anchored at either end by Heaven and HellAnchored at either end by Heaven and Hell• Elaborate special effects such as floods, flying and Elaborate special effects such as floods, flying and

fiery pits were very popularfiery pits were very popular

PAGEANT WAGONSPAGEANT WAGONS

The term "pageant" is used to refer to the stage, The term "pageant" is used to refer to the stage, the play itself, and the spectacle. the play itself, and the spectacle.

Platform on wheelsPlatform on wheels Pulled by menPulled by men Small enough to fit down narrow streetsSmall enough to fit down narrow streets May have had second platform, pulled behindMay have had second platform, pulled behind

Simple Pageant WagonsSimple Pageant Wagons

Morality PlaysMorality Plays Theme: how to live a Christian life and be saved.Theme: how to live a Christian life and be saved. AllegoryAllegory::

• A story told on two levels: the A story told on two levels: the literalliteral and the the and the the symbolicsymbolic

• Plot: a Plot: a journeyjourney through life or to death through life or to death Emphasis switches from Biblical and saintly protagonists Emphasis switches from Biblical and saintly protagonists

to the to the common man: Everyman, Mankindcommon man: Everyman, Mankind Focus on Focus on free willfree will First major use of First major use of professional acting companies professional acting companies

Miracle PlaysMiracle Plays Miracle playsMiracle plays were similar to mystery plays in were similar to mystery plays in

dramatic techniquesdramatic techniques Dramatized the Dramatized the lives of Roman Catholic saintslives of Roman Catholic saints

( in order to become a saint, a person had to ( in order to become a saint, a person had to perform 3 documented miracles)perform 3 documented miracles)

The most popular subjects were the The most popular subjects were the Virgin MaryVirgin Mary (plays usually written in Latin), (plays usually written in Latin), St. GeorgeSt. George (dragon slayer and patron saint of England) and (dragon slayer and patron saint of England) and St. NicholasSt. Nicholas ( associated with Christmas ( associated with Christmas festivities)festivities)

Interludes and FarcesInterludes and Farces Combined elements of allegory, classical myth, Combined elements of allegory, classical myth,

and courtly entertainment: music, dance, and courtly entertainment: music, dance, spectacle.spectacle.

InterludesInterludes were short plays performed between were short plays performed between courses at court banquets.courses at court banquets.

FarcesFarces were longer plays ridiculing such human were longer plays ridiculing such human follies as greed and dishonesty.follies as greed and dishonesty.

As the mysteries, miracle and moralities were As the mysteries, miracle and moralities were censored by Protestant authorities, censored by Protestant authorities, secular dramasecular drama became more important to all levels of society.became more important to all levels of society.

The Decline of Medieval The Decline of Medieval Theatre:Theatre:

Increased interest in classical learning – affected staging Increased interest in classical learning – affected staging and playwritingand playwriting

Social structure was changing – destroyed feudalism Social structure was changing – destroyed feudalism and "corporate" nature of communities and "corporate" nature of communities

Dissension within the church led to prohibition of Dissension within the church led to prohibition of religious plays in Europe (Queen Elizabeth, the Council religious plays in Europe (Queen Elizabeth, the Council of Trent, 1545-1563 – religious plays outlawed.)of Trent, 1545-1563 – religious plays outlawed.)

By late 16th century, drama of medieval period lost its By late 16th century, drama of medieval period lost its force. force.

CONCLUSION CONCLUSION

Medieval rebirth of the theatre gives us a Medieval rebirth of the theatre gives us a lesson: lesson: ““Whenever a society is sufficiently developed to Whenever a society is sufficiently developed to allow its members freedoms of time and allow its members freedoms of time and expression, the celebration of theatre will be an expression, the celebration of theatre will be an important way to explore and expand those important way to explore and expand those freedoms.” freedoms.”

The EndThe End