Greek theatre is one of the oldest theatrical forms and is credited with having had a major influence on modern theatre. It was developed in ancient Greece and performed in open air amphitheatres.
Greek theatre was largely based on the works of Homer and other Greek playwrights, and often focused on mythical or historical stories.
Greek theatre was highly structured and had specific conventions that were followed by actors, writers, directors and audience members. The most important characteristics of Greek theatre include the chorus, which was a group of singers and dancers who narrated the story; the use of masks to represent characters; elaborate costumes and scenery; and the use of music, song, dance, and spectacle.
Chorus: The chorus was an integral part of Greek plays. The chorus served as both narrators of the story as well as commentators on events taking place during the play.
They were usually made up of twelve to fifteen people who sang or chanted in unison to provide background music or commentary.
Masks: Masks were an essential element of Greek theatre as they allowed actors to represent multiple characters at once without needing to change costumes or makeup. These masks could be made out of cloth or leather and were designed to evoke different emotions such as joy, sorrow, anger or fear.
Costumes: Costumes in Greek theatre were highly elaborate with actors often wearing colourful robes with intricate designs to signify their character’s status or profession. Actors would often wear masks along with their costumes to further distinguish themselves from one another.
Scenery: Scenery in Greek plays consisted mainly of painted backdrops that represented different locations during the play. Props such as furniture or weapons could also be used for particular scenes.
Music, Song & Dance: Music played a vital role in Greek theatre with musicians providing accompaniment for songs sung by actors during certain scenes. Choruses would often sing in unison while actors danced around them or engaged in combat scenes.
Conclusion
The main characteristics of Greek theatre are its chorus, its use of masks, elaborate costumes and scenery, and its use of music, song and dance.