2. Medieval Theatre

• Medieval theatre began shortly after the Roman Empire ceased to exist.
• The Roman Catholic Church still remained in power within Rome, and Catholic leaders declared the pagan dramatic presentations a sin and took over the practice while banning the general population from performing.
• Religious themed theatrical performances dominated Europe during the Medieval Era
• Primary style for acting at the time = drama
• Negative impact of Catholicism.
• Theatre productions declined during the 2nd century, christianity playing a significant role in its demise.
• Theatre at the time had mocked the emerging church who stuck back by proclaiming thatre arts evil and inmoral.
• Gladiator spectacles became a popular form of entertainment. Theatre was used to enhance these games.
• Theatre was almost non-existent, but for a few traveling jugglers and performers that barely kept this art form alive.
• From here the plays began to be performed specifically on holy days (holidays)
• Performed around towns on carts or pageant wagons. 
• Each story would be dragged around and played to an audience.
• The plays were taken over by the Guilds (e.g. shoe makers take on the story of Christ washing the disciples feet)
• Masks, costume and humour were much prized and people would travel for miles to attend these popular events.
• The audience could stay put or travel about with the carts to watch their favourite plays over and over again.
• Main message : GOOD CONQUERS EVIL

  • Those who are good will be rewarded and the evil punished
• Medieval theatre went from 1066 (Norman inavsion) to the Renaissance (1450)