The Origins of Theatre

Most scholars agree that theatre developed from religious ceremony. When is a religious ceremony a theatrical experience and when is it not? Archaeological evidence supports the idea of early societies dressing up with animal skins, dancing and singing in honour of God or gods. Theatrical elements obviously exist in a religious ceremony but the intention is religious. If there was pleasure and enjoyment taken by the participants and the audience in this religious ritual, then we get closer to something we might call theatre.