Greek theatre was an integral part of everyday life in Ancient Greece. It was a form of entertainment, a way for citizens to express themselves, and an important form of worship for the gods.
Every city-state had its own theatre, where plays were performed at festivals or other special occasions. The audience was a crucial part of Greek theatre, and it is impossible to imagine the performances without them.
The audience was very much involved in Greek theatre. Before the play began, the audience would gather outside the theatre to discuss and debate about the play topic.
They would discuss what they expected from the play, what themes it might tackle, and how they thought it might end. This process created a sense of anticipation within the audience before the show even began.
During the performance, audience members would cheer and clap when they found something particularly enjoyable or exciting. They were also known to shout out their opinions and reactions during certain scenes. This interaction with the actors on stage added to the sense of drama and suspense that made Greek theatre so popular.
At times, audience members could become so immersed in a performance that they forgot their place as observers and intervened in scenes on stage. This happened more often during tragedies than comedies – it was thought that tragedy evoked such strong emotions that some members felt compelled to intervene.
In conclusion, Greek theatre was highly interactive and engaging for its audience members. Through discussion before performances began, cheers during key scenes, and even interventions on stage during tragedies, audience members played an important role in bringing each performance to life.