Origin of Theatrical Performances

The origin of theatrical performances has been traced to the Grecian custom of celebrating, every Spring, in Athens, a festival in honor of Bacchus. Thespis originated the custom of introducing a single speaker to amuse the company with recitations. He also invented a movable car on which his performances were exhibited in various places. Theatrical performers are still called Thespians. The car of Thespis was soon exchanged for a permanent stage in the Temple of Bacchus. AEschylus added a second speaker and a chorus-a mask-scenery, etc., and is therefore called the Father of tragedy. At the festivals of Bacchus new plays were brought out yearly, in competition.

AEschylus won the prize every year until he was fifty-six years old, when he was defeated by Sophocles.

AEschylus, Sophocles and Euripides represent the highest form of Greek tragedy. Greek comedy derived its origin from the revels of the Comus (god of revelry) during the Bacchic festivals.

Its great master was Aristophanes, 444 B. C. The tragedies of the Greeks deal with gods and mythical heroes-those of Shakespeare deal with human life and human passions.