Theatre is a magical form of art which combines different elements of other performing arts. Theatre as we know it today is the result of a long and elaborate evolution.
The oldest plays that have survived to our day come from ancient Greece, having evolved from staged religious choral performances.
The Greek tradition then influenced the theatre of ancient Rome, where, as with many other literary genres, Roman dramatists tended to translate and adapt from the Greek.
During the Middle Ages, what remained of theatre was initially based on Greek and Roman performing arts: minstrels, mimes and travelling jugglers. Theatre was then reborn as liturgical dramas: plots were based on Bible stories and were performed by priests or church members. Since many of these plays were designed to teach Catholic doctrine, the Protestant Reformation targeted the theatre in order to stop this.
By the end of the 1500s Queen Elizabeth was effectively controlling the stage through a system of patronage, licensing and censorship.
Puritan opposition argued that the stage was pagan and that any play representing a religious figure was idolatrous. In 1642 Protestant authorities banned performances in London, thus crushing what remained of English Medieval dramatic tradition.
Theatre evolved in many other directions throughout the following centuries: Commedia dell’Arte, Theatre of the Absurd, Musicals (with Mamma Mia!, Spamalot and We Will Rock You now playing in London!), Rock Operas and many other genres have contributed to the richness of theatre today. The variety involved in theatre is what makes plays so worthwhile watching: have a look at what is playing, and choose the perfect event for a great night out!
