| Compared to Greek drama, the state
of Roman theatre was a farce - often literally so.
Few plays were created in Roman times - the audiences wanted spectaculars and pantomime. Characters for these pantomimes were drawn from the lower classes, and acting consisted mostly of amateurish horseplay and obscenity. Performances commonly involved poor imitations of Greek acting, and liberal exaggerations of the costumes and masks that had been mainstays of the Greek comedic theatre. Dedication to the art was not to be expected of the Roman actors - who lacked training, professionalism and the respect of their communities. Acting was a despised occupation - fit only for slaves. And women. Anyone who became an actor forfeited all civil rights. The Romans never matched the Greeks in plays or players but they did give us stage scenery, a front curtain - and actresses. |