More Theatre Masks and some questions

#theatre masks  THEATRE MASKS

These were found  in Britain and the style suggests they are characters from GREEK DRAMA though they date from the Roman Imperial era. This presents interesting possibilities. Did touring companies of actors visit the provinces and not just the festival circuit in Greece? South Italian ceramics and art from Pompeii and Herculaneum show theatre companies and images from myths that often look like stage settings. London and the other major Roman settlements could have had supported theatre companies which suggests a high level of education in the Provinces. 

Or were these just souvenirs brought or sent from Italy or Greece to a Roman settler? 

Or the equivalent of trendy interior design? Masks as objects of art placed for decoration?

The same way one might display copies of Noh masks? 

Greek Theatre Masks Two

#greekcomedy #thalia #theatremasks

The Muse of Comedy looking at one of the masks used  by male actors.

At least we think most actors were male however the Romans allowed female performers in what they called pantomime and given the diversity of the empire I suspect sooner or later a mosaic or fresco featuring an actress will turn up.

and perhaps the young lady used as a model for this was contemplating writing for the theatre ?

Greek Theatre Masks One

#greektheatremasks #theatre #mask

My ailments flared up again so I'm still behind with blogging.

There will be a Greek NT post next weekend ... meanwhile since its mid week something #classical

Here we have a sculpture showing a a comic poet or possibly an actor contemplating the masks worn on stage a reminder of several aspects of Greek Theatre 

one actor might play multiple roles 

they wore masks not makeup 

dialogue was written around stock roles and characters

actors were male 

more masks next time