WorksheetsThe Moral Interlude and The Early Acting Companies
Total questions: 10
Worksheet time: 5mins
What transformation did Morality plays undergo?
Morality plays became more serious and dramatic in nature.
Morality plays took a more comedic turn, becoming known as the Moral Interlude.
Morality plays were completely abandoned and replaced by other forms.
Morality plays were simplified to short skits without moral lessons.
What opportunities did skilled acting groups have?
They were allowed to perform in local taverns only.
They could gain a lord as a patron and perform at the lord or king’s palace.
They were restricted to performing in their hometowns.
They could only perform for other actors.
What is the plot of John Heywood's play 'Johann, Johann'?
Johann suspects his wife Tyb of having an affair with a priest, invites the priest over, and discovers the affair when he returns with an empty bucket.
Johann is a priest who falls in love with a woman named Tyb, leading to a series of comedic misunderstandings.
Tyb is a witch who casts a spell on Johann, causing him to believe she is unfaithful.
Johann and Tyb are happily married, but their lives are disrupted by the arrival of a mischievous neighbor.
What types of performances did early acting companies give?
They performed moral interludes, songs, or poetry.
They performed modern plays and musicals.
They performed only Shakespearean tragedies.
They performed silent films and documentaries.
What challenges did actors face during the early acting company period?
Actors were well-paid and performed in grand theaters.
Actors were itinerant, made very little money, and traveled from town to town setting up in town squares.
Actors had fixed contracts and performed only in their hometowns.
Actors were supported by wealthy patrons and had luxurious accommodations.
Where did the transformation of Morality plays begin?
In Italy, influenced by Commedia dell'arte.
In England, inspired by local folklore.
In France, inspired by the French farce.
In Spain, influenced by religious dramas.
Name some well-known acting companies by the 16th century.
The Lord Admirals Men, The King’s Men, and The Earl of Leicester’s Men.
The Royal Shakespeare Company, The Globe Theatre Players, and The National Theatre.
The Actors' Company, The London Stage, and The Old Vic.
The New York Theatre Workshop, The Royal Court Theatre, and The Abbey Theatre.
Who was one of the most famous playwrights of the Moral Interlude period?
John Heywood
William Shakespeare
Christopher Marlowe
Ben Jonson
How did acting companies attract audiences?
They set up trestle stages in town squares and called out to passersby, often performing next to inns or pubs.
They advertised their performances in local newspapers and magazines.
They offered free tickets to the first 100 attendees.
They performed in theaters that charged high admission fees.
What significant change occurred in the acting profession during the Moral Interlude period?
Acting became a profession with many acting companies traveling Europe.
Acting was banned in most countries during this period.
Theaters were closed down and actors were forced to perform in secret.
Acting was only performed by women in this period.
