2. Greek Theatre - 534 BC
• Greek Theatre was where Musical Theatre began.
• They used to have a choir which would sing, Church
Like songs, to tell a story.
• It was mainly rich men who would go to see the
performances and woman were not allowed to see it
on there own.
• There plays would consist of a
Religious theme and would
usually use the God’s at
characters.
3. Ballard Opera – 1728
• Ballard Opera was the first form of Opera.
• Unlike Greek Theatre, they would not have a
choir but would have a chorus of people with
solo’s.
• Ballard Opera started in England.
• A famous Ballard Opera is
‘The Beggars Opera’ which is
still performed on occasions
today.
4. Music Halls - 1830
• Music halls were a place for all classes of
people to go and listen to music.
• Unlike a Ballard opera that would have
benches facing the audience, Music Halls had
chairs and tables that people would sit around
and would chat and drink.
• When it was made illegal to
drink in Music Halls, they
were killed off.
5. Burlesque - 1860
• Burlesque Musicals were comedy
entertainment showing a funny story with
songs.
• Burlesque used to be a short part of the
evening and would be doubled up with a
another musical type.
• Burlesque grew longer
and longer until it became
a musical type which would
last all evening.
6. Vaudeville - 1870
• Vaudeville was a light hearted entertainment and
would include a wide variety of acts.
• There would be a mixture of acts put on in one
evening such as Dancers, comedians, acrobats &
loads more.
• Vaudeville died out as if
failed to adjust to the
changing times and the
public lost interest.
7. Golden Age Musical - 1940
• Golden Age Musicals are, even now, well known
musicals.
• The songs were pacifically written to fit in with a
story.
• They brought in famous actors to take the lead roles.
• The Golden Age was
• also when we first saw Musicals
• take to the screen such as
• ‘Summer Holiday’ with
• Sir Cliff Richard.
8. Musicals post 2000
• The majority of musicals that are around to day are
aimed at Children such as High School Musical.
• Musicals are no longer just stage shows, they are
now also major motion pictures, sometimes making
millions of pounds.
• More Golden age musicals such as ‘Phantom of The
Opera’ or ‘Chicago’ are now being made into films.
