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History of theatre

  • BurlesqueThe word burlesque first appeared in a title within Francesco Berni's Opere burlesche during the early 16th century. These works circulated widely as…
  • KabukiIn 1603, a former shrine maiden named Izumo no Okuni stood in the dry bed of the Kamo River in Kyoto. She formed a troupe of young female dancers to perform…
  • TragedyIn the 6th century BCE, Athenian tragedy emerged as a dance-drama form during an annual state religious festival honoring Dionysus.
  • TragicomedyThe Roman comic playwright Plautus coined the term tragicomoedia in Latin during the prologue to his play Amphitryon. He used the word somewhat facetiously…
  • Royal entryOn the 5th of April 1127, at twilight, the king and newly elected Count William of Flanders entered Bruges. The canons of Saint Donatian met them with relics…
  • NohIn the mid 14th century, a form of theater known as sarugaku began to take root in Japan. This early performance style included acrobatics, juggling, and…