The Medieval Arts

Medieval theatre refers to the theatrical performances and traditions that developed in Europe during the Middle Ages, roughly from the 5th to the late 15th century. This period saw a transformation from the classical theatrical traditions of ancient Rome and Greece to forms that were more aligned with the medieval social, religious, and cultural contexts.

Key features of medieval theatre include: 

Religious Roots: Much of medieval theatre was deeply intertwined with the Christian Church. Initially, it started with liturgical dramas performed within church services. These were religious plays that illustrated biblical stories and were performed in Latin. Over time, these evolved into more elaborate and dramatic forms. Mystery Plays: These were dramatizations of biblical stories and events, from the Creation to the Last Judgment. They were performed in cycles, often by guilds or local communities, and were staged in public spaces like town squares. Miracle Plays: These focused on the lives of saints and their miracles. They were intended to inspire and educate the populace about the lives of holy figures and the divine. Moralities: Moral plays, or morality plays, were allegorical dramas that conveyed moral lessons. The most famous example is "Everyman," which depicts the journey of a person's soul toward salvation. Performance Spaces: Initially, performances took place in churchyards or on stages set up in town squares. Later, more elaborate and permanent theatres were built, and plays began to be performed in more secular settings. Language and Style: Early medieval theatre was performed in Latin, but by the later medieval period, vernacular languages began to be used, making theatre more accessible to the general populace. Costumes and Scenery: Costumes were often elaborate and symbolic, while scenery was minimal and relied heavily on the use of tableaux and symbolic props. Actors and Performance: Acting companies often comprised amateur actors from local guilds or communities. Performance styles were expressive and sometimes rudimentary compared to modern standards.

Medieval theatre laid the groundwork for the later development of Renaissance theatre and drama, influencing the evolution of performance arts in Europe.

During lessons we were tasked with choosing a bible story that we knew and perform without researching the story, in order to understand the way plays were told via word of mouth as most people couldn't read or write during this time period. our group chose Adam and Eve, we were told to emphasize our characters in order to understand how these performances were dramatized.