Bacchae Theatre Experience

Though Brecht shows great engagement in the audience in another, perhaps as effective way. By making the theatre relatable in a real, logical sense. Through creating a “naturalistic illusion”( Brecht, 98), Brecht is capable of having a scene acted as though it was in reality, though there are few to no props/ images of reality to back him up. He is capable of doing this through creating scenes that address politics of the day. Placards are used as a devise to contextualise, rather than acting out a scene, this devise is used in his play “Mother

Another essential group of characters in The Bacchae is the chorus, as within Greek plays the chorus often operated as a popular voice in support of the play’s central idea. Their songs often explain important points, and it’s clear in The Bacchae the songs of the Bacchante chorus uphold ‘sophia’ as the trait most honourable in humanity. As Dionysus exits to convince Pentheus to dress is women’s clothes, the stage is left to the chorus, and they sing: “what is wisdom? What gift of the gods is held in honour like this…” Wisdom is described as a gift from the gods sanctioned amongst men, and thus it is most wise to honour those gods. He who fails to recognise that “humility is wise, humility is blessed,” fails to recognise the greatest quality he can possess in the face of godly power. Thus it is clear that the characters of The Bacchae are essential in conveying the central idea, as

And the picture of you that was out front with all the casting actors, wow you looked gorgeous! Once again I was extremely impressed by the stage design. The back Catholic Church wall was such an amazing structure. The paint and texture that was used to build the wall, gave off the appearance of a real stone wall. The wall design was flawless, and the size and scale it in which it was done in is astounding! Ms. Livingstone office was also well placed; it kept a focus point to the center of the room. The decision to go with a see through glass desk and small offices chairs allow the stage space to seem larger and didn’t block or hide when the actors sat down or walked around the desk. The area with the steps that lead to Mother Ruth desk was also well crafted, but I felt it was not utilized enough. It was barley used and wasn’t sure if it was Mother Ruth office or apart of the church altar. The church pew was a nice addition as well. I was also really impressed with the lighting effects, especially from the church windows. I first thought the stained glassed windows were fixed lights that couldn’t be changed, but once Livingstone took center stage and began to speak the colors changed to a red color (I think). When that happened it felt like the world froze in place while she spoke, and resuming when the light turned back to a bright morning light. I also liked how the lights would change throughout the play to set a different mood. For example, when Ms. Livingstone was hypnotizing Agnes, she told Agnes to imagine herself being in water all of the sudden the room color was

While the original performance context of Greek Theatre called for the actors to use grand and hyperbolic gestures so that the entire audience (which could reach up to fourteen thousand) could see and hear the story, my piece will similarly use exaggerated movements. This will be through the use of the style of ‘In Yer Face’ Theatre, which is defined

Then if read shallowly, the Bacchae also seems to be black and white, in the fact that the story tells of Pentheus earning his fate. The first step would be when strange things started to happen and the arrest of the stranger, Dionysus. Next, and the most important step in him earning his fate would be that Pentheus rejects the belief of Dionysus. Later on, more strange things happen, namely miracles and now Pentheus and Dionysus meet again, this time Pentheus is unable to reject him and starts to fall under his spell. They then meet for a final time and now Dionysus is in total control and humiliates Pentheus. When the chorus sees this, they invoke the "Swift hounds of Frenzy" to bring vengeance on Pentheus for failing to honor the gods. Pentheus is then finally killed by Bacchantes with the aid of his mother Agave. This seems to be a simple story of a man who rejected

Built in 1855 the Longstreet Theater on Greene Street at the University of South Carolina is one of its oldest buildings. Completed two years later than predicted, it was supposed to be a college hall. However, it was first used as a military hospital during the civil war, and then as an arsenal and armory, before being remodeled into a theater house in 1976. Resembling a Roman temple, the theater has four stories; one of which is underground, with access to the surface by an elevator. The theater room is circular, with a “theater in the round” stage that allows the audience to get a full view of what is happening. Nevertheless, in some situations the stage is made into a temporary “thrust stage” according to need. Moreover, the room was dark

In the beginning of the play, (pre-play) Oshoosi Size , Ogun Size , and Elega were on stage dancing to a form of a slow, gradual tone. They all ended their dance by getting their masks and fading into the darkness. That experience was honestly bizarre for me. But I believe the pre-play set the mood for the rest of the play. It did draw the audience into the environment because of the slow trance like tone, which built up, to a lively pace.

For the first performance, the dancers wore all red which represented the feeling of love that was being portrayed in the dance. There were three dancers that danced. The music being played during the first piece phenomenal. The music went well with the plot of the storyline. The dancing was very eye-opening because it was the first ballet performance that I attended. I was pleasantly surprised by how well the performance was and how strong the dancers were.

     Amidst the tone of war around us, and speak of possible defeat, the festival of Dionysos will be held the fall of this great year, 411 BCE. Many ideas of entertainment have been suggested, most of which plays from various credible playwrights. One that has caught my eye in many ways is a work by Aristophanes. It is titled Lysistrata, and is a comedy based on our current status of war. Now considering our present situation, this may seem like a ludicrous idea. The wrong choice of words in a public address can result in a revolt, let alone a play that will be seen by many more citizens than will a public speaking. Why choose such an idea? Well, there are many reasons, and I intend to explain them to you.

Paul Woodruff’s translation of the Greek play Euripides Bacchae tells the story of the primary character Dionysus, who is the son of the Greek God Zeus. Dionysus is out to seek his revenge on his mother’s sisters, his grandfather Cadmus, and also his cousin Pentheus because they have denied that he, Dionysus was born a God. Also important in this play is Pentheus who was made King of Thebes as a young teenage boy by his grandfather who is also Cadmus. Pentheus learns of Dionysus trying to change order in Thebes and Pentheus is determined to stop this form happening at all costs.

For example, the ensemble was comprised of eight male dancers instead of the traditional female dancers. With regards to the choreography, unlike the previous piece, Ballo della Regina, there were palpable unconventional movements not seen in a typical ballet like the walking in parallel feet, using the heal instead of the toe to turn, and utilizing the body as almost an automated, fast-paced machinery instead of displaying it as feathery and delicate. Furthermore, using the element of abruptness and sharpness to exhibit exotic structures and shapes of the body like chains, twists, diagonals, triangles, and boxes. The sharpness of the movements were more prevalent in the ensemble. Interestingly, the ensemble embodied an essence of the Apollonian body displaying symmetry and coordination, whereas the central dancers embodies certain aspects of the Dionysian body displaying chaos and rapidity, which complemented the absurdity of the

After reading the play Oedipus the King, I had various expectations related to how the movie should be performed. The stage presentation of the story fulfilled some of my expectations but failed to satisfy others. Most importantly, the performance was an accurate rendering of the play. The characters in the movie were developed effectively and were portrayed precisely as I had perceived them. I thought that the movie lacked qualities including stage design, clothing, and background music. However, these facets of the performance are insignificant because the story is so powerful that it does not need attractive costumes or ostentatious props to support it.

Throughout the play, I enjoyed the role of music used to set a comic atmosphere and replace the dialogs during comic scenes (e.g. when they chase each other around). I also thought that they made a good use of light to indicate the moment of the day the scene was happening or to set the atmosphere of the scene (e.g. pink colour during the romantic moments). Lastly, I liked the way the play ended. Even though it was a little messy with everyone running after each other off and on stage, and this policeman coming out of nowhere, which really surprised me; I couldn’t think of a better way to end the play.

Throughout the play Aristophanes amuses and informs his audience through the songs of the chorus and the actions and words of his characters. The chorus allows for a humorous and lovely way to sum up what others may have missed. This informs the crowd about what has just transpired while also providing the crowd advice and allowing them to send prayers to the gods. Such as on page 181 when the chorus leader says “We’ll put on serious looks and have our say. And first for those misguided souls I plead. Who in the past to Phrynichus paid heed, It’s history now; their folly they regret. The time has come to forgive and forget.” and when the chorus leader says “This city treats her soundest men today: By a coincidence more sad than funny, It is very much like the way we treat our money. The noble silver drachma, which of old, We were so proud of, and the one of gold, Coins that rang true (clean stamped and worth their weight) Throughout the world have ceased to circulate. Instead the purses of Athenian shoppers. Are full of phony silver-plated coppers”. This is advice given about how Athens treats its people it gets them thinking about this subject long after the play has ended. The chorus is how Aristophanes creates a light way to tell his listeners his ideas about their own society and what they should do about their situation. He also entertains his audience with the physical acts of the play such as when the god Dionysus and his slave are being tested by being spanked to see which of them is actually a god. Through this act Aristophanes is not trying to make fun of Dionysus even though he is shown as cowardly, idiotic and very silly all dressed

Again, the characters did well with remembering their lines, but as far as the script itself, I don't feel this play was suitable to be presented at Bergen Community College. I myself had a very hard time understanding what the characters were saying. Someone who isn't very intellectual or into politics might not have as clear of a description as others. Luckily I was able to comprehend enough to understand the theme.The music that played in between scenes was quite dreary, but from what I remember it suited the play and was not played at a very high volume accept towards the end of the scene when the lights went out, I remember a high pitched melody go off for just a few