With billboards, Facebook, movies, televisions and more, our world is awash with visual images. Constant media of all types are vying for our attention. No two ways about it, visual is appealing in today’s culture. We as people of the Word should be readers. God revealed Himself to us through His Word. As Christians we understand the importance of literacy and the treasure of language as no one else will. Media and the arts influence us for better or worse. As believers, we can use the tools of visual imagery to share the Gospel in many creative ways. The purpose of Legacy of Light Productions is to provide and promote Christ-exalting drama. Whether you decide to use these plays or not, it is my hope that this short article on the history of drama and the Church will be beneficial and educational to you. You may consider sharing this information with your cast and crew of any production you may be a part of.
- Where did drama come from?
While acting rituals were a part of many ancient religions, the Greeks were the first to turn the obscure play acting into an art. At first their plays were based around stories of their false gods, and performed at festivals. Contests were held to select the best playwright. These contests showed the plays back to back from sun up to sun down in front of a noisy crowd that talked, ate and drank as the drama continued on. Plays called tragedies that followed very specified outlines were the most popular form of drama. The Greeks used no costumes except every day clothing and no lighting, all plays were performed outside, and all the action such as battles and deaths occurred off stage and then was discussed by the other actors. All the actors wore masks because the Greeks believed an actor wouldn’t be very convincing if you recognized him. It also allowed men to play the role of women and emphasized the emotions to the audience.
Did you know? The first winner of Greece’s famed play writing contests was a man named Thespis, from which our word ‘thespian’ is derived.
- What happened next in the world of drama?
After Rome became prominent, drama continued in popularity. However, unlike the Greeks, the Romans loved a bloody spectacle. In time, condemned criminals would be forced to play parts where they would actually be killed on stage. After the fall of Rome, drama also fell.
Modern drama was re-invented one early morning Easter mass in the 11th century. A few lines sung in the middle of the service was all it took to renew interest in drama. A similar production was planned for Christmas and was so successful the dramas were taken out of the church building and into the streets and squares. From these simple beginnings came the well known Mystery Plays. The purpose of these plays were to teach the common people the Bible, as illiteracy was epidemic. They were also intended to share the ‘mystery’ of the Gospel. Mystery Plays were performed like modern day parades, with each Bible story being performed on a moving stage made from a wagon. From these early beginnings came morality plays, the most famous of which was entitled ‘Everyman’.
After the Reformation morality and mystery plays were still popular, but re-created to be distinctly Protestant. However, in 1558 after the purpose of plays had dissolved into propaganda machines and caused riots, Queen Elizabeth I decreed plays were not to be of a religious or political nature. During the Renaissance Greek culture was rediscovered and classical drama with its various stylistic structures was brought back into prominence. The one who would rock the boat was an obscure man named William Shakespeare.
Despite the popularity of Shakespeare’s plays, Puritan Cromwell declared plays to be immoral after the English Civil War and many of the playwrights fled to France. King Charles II reinstated theatre, but made it solely for the aristocrats.
Did you know? There are over 80 spelling variations on the name Shakespeare.
Modern theatre is known for rejecting society and it’s conventions. Plays are discussions and often are very depressing. The lack of absolutes creates a void and vacuum that only the Gospel of Christ can fill. As light and salt to a dark world, it is our privilege to promote good artistry since we serve the Inventor of Art and share the good news of Christ using every medium available.
Special thanks to the most awesome drama teacher ever- Mrs. Redden! Much of the article is based off of notes from her many classes. For further reading (and used as a reference for the above article) on all kinds of literature, check out 'Reading between the Lines' by Gene Edward Veith.
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