Cultural Context

what were the performance conventions in Sophocles time?

The idea of greek theatre was to play to the highest members of the audience. This was done through dialogue, set design, lighting and sound. Usually, the performance would be done by not connecting all the dots but having subtle innuendos to allow the audience to create their own opinions and ideas of the story. Greek theatre would also have a lesson involved in order to teach and enlighten the audience. Other conventions included the amount of actors allowed on stage, which was usually 3. This is why the chorus was introduced because they could quickly tell parts of the story whilst the actors went backstage to change costume. Because there was a limited amount of scenery to be used in the plays, Sophocles had to describe to the audience what the scenery would be like.

What were the trends or fashions within the performing arts?

When greek theatre was first introduced, the cast had very minimalist costumes and the natural landscapes of greece were often used as the scenery. They then began to use more props and a skene was created as a changing room for the actors, an exit and entrance, and also to store props. There were also technical developments. For example, the Deus Ex Machine, god out of the machine) was a crane that was used to lower and lift actors on and off the stage.

Costume was a very important factor of greek theatre productions, because they could determine the characters gender or social status. For example, rich characters would wear expensive clothes and poor characters would wear rags. Actors who played tragic roles wore boots called buskins that elevated them above the other actors. This would help to show their status compared to other characters as they would be physically above them. When playing female roles, the male actor would put on a wooden structure called prsdernedas in front of the chest to imitate boobs. Masks were used to worship Dionysus, god of theatre, and were meant to let actors 'vanish' into their role. Masks helped one actor play multiple roles as he would not be recognised when wearing different masks, this was useful because usually only three actors took part in one play. These masks had very over exaggerated expressions so the audience could see them from long distances.

Other costumes included:

chiton (robe or tunic)

chlaina (overgarment)

chlamys (short cloak)

kothurnus (short lace-up boots)

himation (overgarment)

peplos (cloak)