History Highlights
Chapter One

The Origins of Theatre

Early Rituals
Theatre was born out of myth and ritual. Early societies had rituals that glorified supernatural powers, victories and heroes. Usually supernatural forms would be represented using costumes and masks. Rituals were practiced not only because of duty to the gods, but because they brought entertainment and pleasure. Through these rituals, the first actors of sorts emerged. In addition, the beginnings of acting spaces or auditoriums developed as a result of more elaborate rituals.

Ancient Egypt
The world's earliest report of a dramatic production comes from ancient Egypt. It is in the form of a stone tablet and contains the sketchy description of Ikhernofret, a representative of the Egyptian king, and of the parts he played in a performance of the world's first recorded "Passion" Play. This occurred at Abydos, the most sacred spot in Egypt and dates from at least 2500 B.C. In the case of the Egyptian "Passion" the central figure was the legendary king/divinity Osiris.

Indian Theatre
Indian theatre originated from the ancient custom of reciting the national poetry at social and religious gatherings. The tribes along the Ganges were renowned for their gifted bards. In the rainy season the lecturer's place was in the city temples, but during the rest of the year the evening entertainment was given on the village green.  A fellow actor expounded the Sanskrit verses to the illiterate villagers in their local language. The reading of the "Maha-Bharata" would last several weeks, being continued night after night.  

Chinese Drama
The birth year of Chinese drama is unknown but historians say that music existed in China in 5400 B.C.  We read that during China's second dynasty, between 2205-1766 B.C., religious worship was accompanied by music and dances which represented the occupations of the people, plowing and harvesting, war and peace. These dances illustrated the sensations of working, joy, fatigue and contentment.

Purpose of the rituals
What information we have about the origins of theatre comes from wall paintings, decorations, artifacts and hieroglyphics that show the importance of successful hunts, seasonal changes, life cycles and stories of gods.  From these we see the importance of passing along these experiences as a guide and plan for younger generations, through storytelling and dramatizing events.