K. Thom
Athens
and the
theatre
GCSE
Classics
Revision
The theatre
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The Athenians invented drama
The main theatre was the Theatre of Dionysos
This was built into the hillside of the Acropolis
The theatre was part of the sanctuary of
Dionysos – linking drama and religion
The layout
Two parodoi were
entrances for the
audience AND cast.
The PROSKENE: a
raised stage
Actors would change in the skene + props
were stored here. In front of the skene
were double doors, usually used to
represent a building entrance.
The seating area;
more than 15,000
seats. All with
good views of the
stage + excellent
acoustics.
Where the chorus
sang and acted.
This is also where
the ALTAR was;
sacrifices were
made before every
play, every
morning.
Details
• Limited special effects during plays (so the acting had to be of
a very high standard)...
a) a mekhane; a hoist to make actors fly in the air (usually
used for the role of a god)
b) The ekkuklema; a trolley like device usually had a dead
body on it to represent a murdered character
c) Thunder; possibly rolling large stones under the theatron
seats
d) the main acts would climb on the skene or proskene
(reserved for the role of gods [again])
e) The front of the skene was painted as a temple or palace
Exam Question - 2012
a) Describe briefly the layout of a Greek theatre
[5]
b) Explain how the features of a Greek theatre
helped the audience to enjoy a play. [5]
c) Hoe exciting do you think it was to watch and
listen to the Chorus in a Greek play?. [5]
Did the theatre suit the needs of the
people who used it?
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The size (large) enables it to accommodate a large number of people
Its shape offered superb acoustics + good visibility because of tiered
seating
There was easy access to seats + special VIP seating
The orchestra offered an open, visible space for dancing + processions
The elevated proskene separated actors from the chorus + enhanced
visibility
The skene provided a back drop, changing area, extra platform for
acting, keeping props
The ekkuklema allowed for the revealing of dead bodies
The mekhane would be visually effective and allow for the introduction
on god roles
The scenery and sound effects would enhance the dramatic experience
Problems with the layout...
• Seating was not very comfortable for long
periods of time
• The theatre was open to the elements
• Some of the audience were a long distance
from the actors
• The elevated proskene separated actors from
the chorus
• The scenery could not be changed
Tragedies
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Very serious + grand
Set in the heroic past
Actors would play parts of gods, goddesses, kings and queens
Roles of slaves and soldiers were also common in tragedies
Asks life’s deepest questions: why do people suffer and how much do
the gods look after people?
Main character – a hero who has suffered a major catastrophe and
has to cope bravely
No happy endings 
Tragic costumes + masks = serious and thoughtful expressions
Main item for costumes was a long robe [which were sometimes stiff
and heavy] + clothes were colourful and decorated with patchwork
patterns (often reflecting heroic or royal qualities)
Actors wore soft leather foot wear
Comedies
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Set in the everyday, present Athens
Riotous and hilarious (and rude!)
Masks designed to look ridiculous and over sized
Costumes = short tunic and tights were thickly padded
Mocking the people of Athens especially politicians
and well known figures e.g. Socrates
Use of a large leather phallus was common, worn by
male characters to simulate an erection!
(Dionysus was god of fertility so the phallus was linked
to worship)
Actors rolled around in slap stick fashion
Main roles included: a simple country farmer, a smooth
talking city dweller, a grumpy old man and a clever
slave
Exam Question - 2011
a) What did Tragic actors wear? [5]
b) Explain how their costumes and masks
contributed to their performance on stage.
[5]
c) Imagine you are an ancient Athenian. Would
you rather have watched a tragedy or a
comedy? Explain your answer. [5]
The three actors
• Each play only had three main acts
• The actors played a number of roles (up to 5
distinct characters)
• They wore full head masks to show their
different characters
• The masks are usually made of linen, cork or
wood and had hair on top
The chorus
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Made up of 15 members for a tragedy
24 members for a comedy
All local men selected from Athens (amateurs)
They sang + danced between scenes
Sang and performed on the orchestra
This gave main actors a chance to change costumes + masks
The chorus was used to comment on the play, giving the
audience back ground information or creating tension or
mood e.g suspense
• All wore uniform costumes that depicted their place in society
e.g. An old man would wear dignified robes
• In a comedy the chorus would often dress up as animals
• E.g. Aristotle wrote a plays called Birds, Frogs and Wasps – for
each play the chorus would dress in the relevant animal
costume [great fun for the audience]