Page 9 - VIS - Newsletter

October/2023

THE AMPHITHEATRE

concept was revisited and venues like the Globe
A familiar sight on our campus holds plenty of
Theatre in London served as open-air
historical significance and most of us pass by
performance spaces for Shakespearean plays.
it completely unaware. It’s our amphitheatre!
The 18th and 19th centuries continued this style of
entertainment, with circuses and opera
Amphitheatres have played a role in
houses adopting the circular design. Today, we’re
entertainment and public gatherings, evolving
all familiar with the likes of Taylor Swift
from
packing enormous stadiums across the globe for
ancient structures to modern venues that have
concerts. The modern era has produced
captivated audiences since the beginning of
amphitheatres that have advanced acoustics,
time.
technology, and spectator comfort. They’re not
The Greeks constructed the earliest prototypes
limited to concerts but also include events like
around 300 BCE, while the Romans
sports, theatrical performances, and public
perfected the design to create the immensely
speeches.
popular Colosseum in Rome that still stands
The appeal of amphitheatres is the communal
today. These arenas were primarily used for
experience. People gather to celebrate
gladiator contests, chariot races, and other
culture, sports, and the arts. Our very own
public spectacles with thousands of spectators
amphitheatre is an example of this as we gather
watching excitedly.
for our special events to cheer each other on and
During the medieval period, amphitheaters fell
connect with one another in an arena that
into disuse, but their influence persisted with
blends the past with the present in seamless
jousting tournaments and plays. It wasn't until the
elegance.
Renaissance that the amphitheatre

Gayathri Sanjay

Academic Coordinator