Open Day 2002

Open Day 2002	At this open day the Sewing club also had a demonstration. Find out about it here.
Ancient Greeks visit Year 4! 20th March, 2002 A special Thank you to all the Year 4 models. (now in year 6) You acted your parts very well!! —–Mrs. Snowden	Our display this year was about Ancient Greeks and the Theatre. We also offered our guests Spelt Bread—with either dates, or a combination of Honey and Poppy seed or Honey and Sesame seed. There was also Pita Bread and Apricot or Dried Grape spread.
Sosipater and Epaenetus are both wearing the Chiton, but have large Himations draped around them. The others who have come to the theatre can see by this style that they are Philosophers .	Tryphena and Tryphosa are servants from a rich household. They are wearing the basic Chiton. It is pulled up at the belt so they can work more easily. They would like to offer you some of the bread and sauces, which they have helped to prepare.
These ladies are ready to go to the Theatre. Helen is rich Greek lady wearing a Narrow Himation with a Greek Key Design, over her Chiton. She is a lady of business, and can afford fine expensive material and styles. Phebe and Priscilla are Greek ladies who are wearing Doric Style Chitons called Peplos. Please note the Apotygma, which is the over fold at the top of the Peplos. They carry Himation shawls over their arms.	Hermas and Hermes are servants who are here to run errands or purchase any food or drinks the masters or mistresses may think they need while they are watching the Theatre. Maybe they won’t want much and the servants can watch, too!
*Our Greek play:* Our play has 2 parts. The Tragedy is about a young man telling his father, mother, and sister that he will have to go to fight against the Persians. The Comedy is about their joy when he comes back safe and victorious.	Jason is a soldier in the Greek army. He has just received orders to fight the Persians who are trying to invade Greece. His armour and equipment, the Panoply, are made up of a Hoplon or shield, a sword, a helmet, a Cuirass or breastplate, and protectors on his legs. It has cost him a great deal of money, as it is made of iron and bronze. (About as much as your family car cost!!) There were other people in the plays who wore costumes. They were the Chorus and they dressed all alike.
About Greek Plays: There were two major types of Greek plays. There was Tragedy, which was from the word that means goat. A Tragedy had actors who wore goatskins and danced like goats. The best performers were given a kid goat as a prize. It was usually a sad play. The other type of play was Comedy, which was from the word that means song. A Comedy wasn’t always funny; sometimes it was just happy or cheerful.	Greek actors were called Hypocrits. They were always men. If they had to play a lady, they would put special clothing on. If they had to look important, they would wear tall shoes. There were usually 1 to 3 Hypocrits. The most important part of the disguise was the Mask. These Masks were made simply and they had big holes for the mouth and the eyes. This made it easier for the audience to pay more attention to the Hypocrit’s actions rather than what he looked like. Another reason for wearing the Mask was that the Mask made the Hypocrit’s voice louder, making it possible to hear him everywhere in the Theatre.

To Open Day 2001	Links for more info on Greek Theatre Greek Plays Greek Armour