The Evolution of Theatre in the UK

The Evolution of Theatre in the UK

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to understand how theatre has developed in the UK.

What do you already know about the history of theatre in the UK?

Ancient Origins

Theatre in the UK can be traced back to ancient times, with performances at religious festivals and rituals.

Medieval Mystery Plays

During the Middle Ages, mystery plays were performed by guilds and told biblical stories to educate the masses.

Elizabethan Era

The Elizabethan era saw the rise of William Shakespeare and the establishment of permanent theatres like the Globe Theatre.

Restoration Comedy

After the English Civil War, restoration comedy emerged as a popular genre, known for its wit and satire.

Victorian Theatre

The Victorian era brought about a boom in theatre, with the rise of melodrama and the construction of grandiose theatres.

The 20th Century

The 20th century witnessed diverse theatrical movements, such as modernism, naturalism, and the rise of musical theatre.

Contemporary Theatre

Contemporary UK theatre is characterized by a wide range of styles, experimental productions, and diverse voices.

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.