Final answer:
The first record of a theatrical performance on a stone tablet dates back to Ancient Egypt around 2000 BCE, describing a religious performance by priests of Abydos. This kind of performance aligns with the Egyptian tradition of significant cultural and religious events during the Old Kingdom period.
Step-by-step explanation:
A stone tablet is the first record of a theatrical performance in Ancient Egypt, dating back to about 2000 BCE. It describes a religious performance by priests of Abydos. The significance of this performance is underscored by the use of stone as a recording medium, which coincides with the capabilities of large-scale stone architecture, as evidenced by the construction of massive pyramids during the Old Kingdom era (2613-2181 BCE).
Theatre has been an essential part of various cultures, with Western theatre said to have originated in Ancient Greece around 700 B.C. Greek theatre was highly valued within their society and closely associated with the cult of Dionysus. Similarly, in Ancient Egypt, religious and ceremonial performances would have been integral to their culture, idealized through their architectural and artistic works like the small stone plaque with sunken relief carving, characteristic of the period post-Akhenaten.
It's essential to acknowledge that while the Greeks are credited with the creation of Western theatre, the Egyptians had their unique performance traditions that predate the Greek theatrical activities and those described on Greek vases, such as one from Thebes dating c. 730 B.C.E.