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Pantomime and Mime are generally
used interchangeably today by the uninformed public, but originally
was and still does mean two different things. Mime was first,
then later came the Roman Pantomime. Since the dawn of man used
the 'language of gestures', not only to communicate but also to
entertain, this dance form is the oldest known dance. The first
known, Mime is said to be of 'Telestes' in the Aeschylus' - Seven
Against Thebes' in 467 B.C. Comedy arose from the mime in theater
as well as the satire. It is said that the first origin of dancing,
is the mention of the Maneros, which was a slow rhythmical song
accompanied by the distinct movements and phases of a regular
dance mime.
The Athenians (sixth century
B.C.) were the first people of whom there is any real account,
who introduced stage dancing as interludes to the regular drama.
The oldest of these dance dramas was called the "Delian Dance
of the Labyrinth, or the Flight of the Cranes," and was said
to have been introduced by Theseus,
King of Athens. These stage dances were the earliest representations
of the pantomime version which has since been brought to such
great perfection thru the ballet
stage.
The Pantomimus (dancer) was an outgrowth
of the Canticum (singing portion of the comedies,) and
theFabulæ Atelianæ (a painting) and in this an
actor indicated by dramatic dancing or gesture
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the subject of the song. In later republican times this dancing
became a separate branch of the art, and the Roman pantomimic
dance may be said to have reached it's climax when performed and
taught by Palates of Cilicia (Pylades) and Bathyllos
(Bathyllus) of Alexandria, in the time of the early empire.
The subjects of the Pantomimus were again the myths of the gods
and heroes, favorite ones being "The Labours of Hercules,"
and "The surprising of Venus and Mars by Vulcan," Vulcan
being always a comic part.
During the reign of Augustus
Cæsar (63 B.C.-14 A.D.), serious or dramatic and comic pantomime
were brought to great perfection by Pylades and Bathyllus, who
opened a Theater in partnership. Pylades represented solemn and
pathetic subjects which became tragic Pantomime and Bathyllus
became the more gay and animated. And so brilliant and astounding
were their performances, that the people nearly all went wild
with enthusiasm and for a time nearly all other names were forgotten
for those of these celebrated masters of pantomime. Augustus became
the patron of these great dancers, and passed laws for the protection
and privilege of the pantomimists. It was his policy to cultivate
other than political interests for the people, and therefore he
turned his attention to providing them with amusements. The Italic
dance of the Imperial Theatre supported by music and splendid
dresses, was made the great attraction at Rome, and so all the
great dancers were collected here. It for a time supplanted the
older dramas and other amusements.
In 600 B.C., Ancient Mime
(to mimic), originally from Dorian centers of the eloponnesus
with emphasis in Sparta (Greece,) was mainly a silent comedy
with an occasional sound or word thrown in for impact. Mime usually
was about daily life or chores and events. The early Greeks had
what was called phlyakes, which was early mime. These phlyakes
wore animated costumes such as huge rear ends, exaggerated phalluses
and actor's mask. These mimes acted or mimed out everyday life
scenes.
Roman mimes (mimus) would also Juggle
and do acrobatics (as well as serious acting at times).
Women would also be allowed to perform as mimes in Rome, these
mimes were always common folk, never nobility. Roman mimes plots
were often very sexual. The roman mime eventually became the Pantomime.
By the sixteenth century, pantomime was pretty much conventionalized
by dance teachers. John Weaver (1673-1760) was said to be the
father of English Mime (some say John Rich - Covent Garden.)
The pantomime continued in favor till the decline of the Roman
empire, when it was lost sight of in the darkness that for a time
clouded the world.
Mime basically has three forms,
1) Rhythmic, when the mime is done to the rhythm of music accompaniment
(Bind.)
2) Non-Rhythmic, when the mime is not constrained or bind to the
rhythm of the music accompaniment.
3) Nonmusical, where no music is used at all by the mime.
Miming or mimicking can be simple or complicated,
however a good mime will never hear from the viewer: "are
you a tree or a dog?," the viewer will know exactly what
is happening. Ballet-mime
can be quite different however as the dancer is using the idea
of mime or Pas D' Action,
along with other sources of material to execute and focus on.
Mime to the ballet dancer is a valuable tool for expression.
Pantomime is the oldest known dance to date
and actually maybe the original dance form of all dances. Pantomime
originated out of Mime from Greece and landed in Italy where it
became an every day occurrence that was to become very popular.
It is known to have existed among the Chinese, Persians, Hebrews,
and Egyptians and has been observed in many other cultures. During
Caesar's time period (Rome), mime was to be developed into
Pantomime, masked dancers (Pantomimi) would use body
movements and gestures to tell their stories in silence, or maybe
because of a language barrier, to interpret to foreign dignitaries,
these stories were usually about mythology or legend as well as
comedy skits. These Pantomimes became very popular as a form of
entertainment.
On Augustus,
the great aim of Augustus was to gain the favor of the people,
and also to drive all thoughts of politics from them, so he gave
special attention to the theaters and other means of popular amusement,
and passed laws for the protection of the pantomimists. They were
given many advantages and privileges, amongst these being exemption
from the "Jus Virgarum," but it was not long before
they used this freedom against the peace of the city, so that,
in the times of Roman Emperors Tiberius
Augustus (42 B.C - 37 A.D.) and Titus
Domitian (51-96 A.D.) they were severely oppressed and
finally banished. However,
the reigns of Roman Emperors Marcus Trajan
(53 A.D. - 117 A.D.) and Marius Aurelius
(121-180 A.D.,) saw them once more reinstated, and with increased
honor, for they were now made decurians, and had the title of
"Priests of Apollo,"
given to them. But from this time they began to degenerate.
Christmas
pantomimes are called Harlequinades which usually have very little
Mime but are still considered Pantomimes in nature. The modern
dancing craze of the 1980's was called the ">Robot,"
(Rhythmic) done by street dancers to disco music, as well
as Michael Jackson's (actually
James Cagney's) "Moon Walk" (Non-Rhythmic)
and the "wave" (nonmusical) at a football game
are also brief types of Pantomimes.
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