ROMAN THEATER

1
ROMAN THEATER

• Weak imitation of Greek drama
• Not religion based
• Actors were slaves under control of a manager who
  was often a slave himself
• Roman Senate declared that no citizen could be an
  actor

2
Roman Theater

• Seating was strictly by classfirst recorded use
  of reserved seating
• Claquers were employed by playwright to applaud
• Theater police stood near stage to keep rowdy
  audience in control
• Every effort made to please the public

3
Roman Theater

• Did not use a chorusSenate sat in the orchestra
• Spectacle was important
• Tragedy was copied from the Greeks
• Comedy was marked by bad taste
• Pantomime was the only original contribution of
  the Romans

4
Roman Theater Architecture

• No permanent theaters before 55 B.C.
• Basic design was the same as Greek theaters
• Theaters were built in city centers
• Orchestra was eliminated or greatly reduced
• Skene was developed into an elaborate building
• Developed a front curtain (dropped/raised)

5
Roman Theater Costumes

• Masks were usedcomedy/tragedy/stock characters
• Comic costumes were short tunics and soft shoes
• Tragic costumes were long gowns and platform
  shoes
• Mime costumes were short tunics, no masks, makeup
  and wigs, barefoot

6
Roman Actors

• All male except for some mimes
• Acting was a despised profession
• Shocking scenes were acted outactual
  murders.sex acts
• Christians were not allowed to attend theatrical
  events
• Actors could not be buried in holy ground