The course main aim is to introduce the fundamental elements of the theatrical mechanism, and the modes by which these elements are structured to form an expressive composition that impart theatre its artistic properties. What are the basic principles of the theatrical expression? How does cultural and ideational context effect the formation of these principles? What are the connecting or disconnecting relations between theatre, ballet and opera?  This kind of questions forms the core of the course and will be explored through various exemplary works representing varied styles and different periods in order to reveal the range of modifications in theatrical idiom as both an artistic expression and cultural strategy.