PR-2237IRE Ancient Rome

Theatres
Roman Life – Entertainment
1. Use the words below to complete the passage.
masks slaves horns earlier origins speaking entertain presented talk
poets mouth heroes afford enjoyed wealthier characters instruments
actor music actors comedy women audiences legendary performing
Roman
theatre
The
theatres from Greece and the best
The first stage shows were
Actors wore light
1
of theatre date back to around 500 BC, perhaps
2
. The Romans borrowed the idea of actors
3
in
4
in Rome were usually Greeks.
5
during religious festivals.
6
which indicated the
7
they were playing—young children or old 8
, gods or
goddesses, villains or 9
.
The masks had eye holes and also
10
holes for the actors to
11
through. Romans from all classes
12
the theatre though actors weren’t highly thought of by
13
citizens. Many actors were trained
14
or freedmen controlled by a manager.
The
15
could watch dramas, but
16
plays with songs and
horn
pipes
Activity Box
17
were the most popular. Roman pantomimes had an
18
dancing and
miming a
19
story while others sang or played
20
like
cymbals, pipes, castanets and
21
. Unlike today, actors in mimes had
22
roles. Rome’s wealthy citizens could
23
to pay for
artistic performances by actors, singers and
2. Follow the procedure and make your own actor’s mask.
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
25
families and guests.
24
. They were held at home to
Viewing Sample
Cut out the shape of your mask in card. Make eye/mouth holes.
Build up your mask with papier-mâché. Make sure cheeks, eyebrows,
chin and lips are built up high so they can be seen from a distance.
If you are going to use a stick to hold your mask (as in the diagram),
fix it in place on the back.
While it is drying out, fix the mask in a curved position so it will fit round your face.
Paint your mask with vivid colours and when it is dry, give it two coats of varnish.
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