It is implied that Thespis invented
acting in the
Western world, and that prior to his performances, no one had ever assumed the resemblance of another person for the purpose of storytelling. In fact, Thespis is the first known actor in
written plays. He may thus have had a substantial role in changing the way stories were told and inventing
theatre as we know it today. In homage to Thespis, actors in the English-speaking part of the world have been referred to as
thespians. Thespis was the title character in an
1871 comic opera by
W.S. Gilbert and
Arthur Sullivan, the first collaboration between the two men, although the musical score has mostly been lost. The story involves Thespis and his troupe of actors temporarily replacing the
gods of Olympus, while the latter come down to earth to "mingle" with humanity. The actors do a bad job of it, and the gods return angrily to resume their rightful roles. A branch of the
National Theatre of Greece expressly instituted in 1939 to tour the country is named "The Wagon of Thespis" (
Greek: Άρμα Θέσπιδος,
Árma Théspidos) in his honour. The Thespis Theatre Company, which is part of Brimar Entertainment Limited, is named after the actor Thespis and founded by actor Neil Alan Bell. The company logo is a depiction of Thespis, his horse and cart. ==See also==