History

A brief history of the art of theater

From http://www.ojccc.org/home/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Theater-acting-7007404-1200-9541.jpg

Western Theatre most probably started in Athens, Greece at around 600BC.

-Theatre, then was not just used for entertainment, but also for politics, religious rituals, festivals, athletics, and funerals.

-Theatre of the Ancient Greeks mainly consisted of comedy, tragedy, and satyr

Western theatre then expanded and developed in the Roman era, ataround 400 BC.

- Theatre was a thriving diverse art form at this time

- This ranges from the street performances during festivals to nude dancing to acrobatics.

 Fast forward a couple of centuries, and we have Medieval theatre and Renaissance theatre.

Medieval theatre takes place between the Roman and the Renaissance period.

-Mostly consists of  liturgical drama, mystery plays, morality plays, farces and masques

  

Renaissance theatre derived from several medieval theatre traditions, such as the mystery plays that formed a part of religious festivals in England and other parts of Europe during the Middle Ages.

-This is when the higher class started watching in theatres, while commoners watched in public play houses.

-Playwrites and actors were either important to royalty as entertainers, or looked down upon or considered threats.

Fastforward again and you have your Modern theatre.

-Plays can be written in poetry or prose.

-There is no standard format to be followed

- Topics can vary from the traditional theatrical arts to new controversial and maybe even taboo ideas.

The origins of Eastern Theatre began even earlier than that of Western Theatre.

-Records of Chinese theatre date way back to 1500BC

-This was the Shang Dynasty theatre, which consisted mostly of dancing, musical performances, and clowning.

Then Indian theatre came into play

-Sanskrit theatre estimates to have begun at around 200 BC

- It addresses acting, dance, music, dramatic construction, architecture, costuming, make-up, props, the organisation of companies, the audience, competitions, and offers a mythological account of the origin of theatre.

-Sanskrit theatre was performed on sacred ground by priests who had been trained in the necessary skills (dance, music, and recitation) in a [hereditary process]. Its aim was both to educate and to entertain

Japanese Theatre is one of the Asian theatres, Japanese are one of the most well known for their traditional theatricals. The earliest known scripts were estimated to have been written in the 14th century.

- Most of the arts consisted of music, dance, and puppets.

HISTORY IN THE PHILIPPINES

1910- Theater groups already existed in the University of the Philippines

The first ever recorded performance in the history of theater in the University was Romulo’s “The Real Leader,” produced by the UP Dramatic Club and the English Department.

1930s- Jean Edades began teaching courses in playwriting, stagecraft, acting and directing; and holding theater forums. 

Then they were already presenting original Filipino plays like Romulo’s “Leaves,” Teodoro M. Kalaw’s “The Filipino Rebel,” Jose Ma. Hernandez’s “Panday Pira,” and Vidal Tan’s “Souls in Torment.”

1940s- Wilfredo Ma. Guerrero presented the club’s first performance at the Old Abelardo Hall in Padre Faura entitled "Wanted a Chaperone"

1950s- considered as the "Guerrero era"

1962- The UP Mobile Theater, patterned after Puerto Rico’s Teatro Rodante, was founded  at the instigation of UP President Carlos P. Romulo and Dean Tomas Fonacier of the College of Liberal Arts. 

Before the 70s, theater was based mostly in schools and universities.

1968- Behn Cervantes founded the UP Repertory Company

With the rise of student activism in the late 60s and early 70s, the “theater of the streets” became a major vehicle of protest in the hands of Gintong Silahis (Samahang Demokratiko ng Kabataan) with Cervantes as director and adviser, and the Kabataang Makabayan Teater Group organized by playwright-actor Bonifacio Ilagan.

Among the activist theater were:

- UP Repertory Company

- PETA

- Babaylan Theater Company

- Bulwagang Gantimpala of CCP

After the declaration of martial law in 1972 all activist cultural groups were banned. 

FORMS OF THEATER IN THE PHILIPPINES

Cenaculo- a theatrical presentation of the passion of the Christ

From http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3618/3437195171_ab10d25299.jpg

Moro-moro/ Comedia- relates Christian and Muslim conflict

Zarzuela- a Philippine version of Spanish light opera

From http://i.ytimg.com/vi/1KQkkzhyOU0/0.jpg

Carillo- a shadow drama usually shown after harvest

Sanghiyang (Cavite), Subli (Batangas), Turumba and Pasyon (Laguna)- exemplify the union of folk religion and Catholicism