The Theatre of Pompeii

The Theatre of Pompeii

by Deanna Okuda

​-Performed during festivals, which happened many times a year

​-During that time, everything was closed so people could enjoy the theater.

​-Men, women, and slaves set off in the early morning to see them

Multiple Choice

Plays were performed in Pompeii everyday.

• True

• False: plays were never performed in Pompeii

• False: Plays were performed once a week on Saturday

• False: Plays were performed at festivals.

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• ​People would bring cushions to sit on as the seats were made of stone and were often uncomfortable

• ​People often brought snacks to eat throughout the performances

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​Town councillors and other important citizens didn't have to hurrt because they had reserved seats.

Multiple Choice

People brought cushions to the plays because:

• They were important people who were allowed to bring cusions

• They wanted to throw them at bad actors

• They wanted to shade themselves from the sun

• The seats were made of stone and uncomfortable

Multiple Choice

The town councilors did not need to hurry to a play because:

• They were not invited to plays

• Their seats were reserved

• Others people would make room for them because they were important

• They were the only ones who were allowed to attend a play.

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• ​All performances were free as they were paid for by wealthy citizens, who provided the actors, the producers, the scenery, and the costumes.

• ​He volunteered to do this to benefit his fellow citizens and would be useful in political elections.

Multiple Choice

Plays in Pompeii were paid for by:

• Ticket sales

• A wealthy citizen

• The actors

• The town council

Multiple Select

A wealthy citizen would put on a play because: (check all which apply)

• He was ordered to do so as punishment for a crime.

• He wanted to benefit his fellow citizens

• His children were actors in the play.

• He wanted to gain popularity in order to be elected

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• ​There would be a series of performances that lasted all day.

• ​To keep the heat off, a large awning was suspended over the theatre.

• ​Audiences also had to make use of hats, sunshades, or being sprinkled with scented water

Multiple Choice

A theatrical performance consisted of a series of plays which lasted all day.

• True

• False: Only one play would be performed each festival.

• False: Theatrical performances were only held at night.

• False: Several short plays were performed, but they were finished by noon.

Multiple Select

Which of the following were ways theater attendees tried to beat the heat? (Check all which apply)

• Slaves waving fans

• An awning which was extended over most of the theater.

• Wearing hats

• Sprinkling scented water

​Pantomime

• ​A production that was a mixture between opera and ballet.

• ​Usually a serious plot which was taken from Greek mths.

• ​THe parts of different characters were mimed and danced by one masked performer, while a chorus sang the lyrics.

• ​An orchestra would accompany the performance

​Comedies

​-Usually just male actors

​-short plays about Italian country life that were filled with rude jokes and slapstick comedy

​-Actors wore masks for different characters

​-Plautus and Terence were known famous for writing comedy plays-

Multiple Select

A pantomime was: (Check all which apply)

• A street performer who gave performances for pocket change

• performed by one silent actor, accompanied by an orchestra

• usually a serious performance taken from Greek myths.

• A short comedic play about slaves

Multiple Choice

Most comedic plays were:

• short plays packed with rude jokes and slapstick

• Used male and female actors

• Used so many unfamiliar characters, that a narrator had to introduce them to the audience

• deep, meaningful performances that inspired the audience.

Multiple Choice

Actors in Roman comedies wore masks which identified which character they were playing.

• True

• False: Roman actors did not wear masks, so their expression might be seen by the audience.

• False: There were too many characters in comedies to be easily recognized by their masks.

• False: Only tragedies used masks.

Multiple Choice

Plautus and Terence were:

• famous actors

• Senators from Rome

• characters in a famous play

• Roman play writers.