Elizabethan Theater How is theater of the Elizabethan Era different from theater today? What modern...

Elizabethan Theater

How is theater of the Elizabethan Era different from theater today?

What modern day theater districts do you know of?

Theater District• Made up of 9 play houses

or theaters

• Located outside of London’s city

• Pubs

• Taverns

• Bawdy Houses or Brothels - prostitutes.

• Seedy area: pick-pockets & thieves

The Globe: Stats.•Plays produced for the general public•No Roof•Round•No artificial lighting (no electricity)

•Several sections: courtyard with pit surrounded with galleries

The Globe: Seating• Cheapest seats = standing room only

• Groundlings stood in the pit- Tickets only a PENNY!

• Royalty & patrons sat in the galleries

Advertising• Flags were

used to advertise the type of play

• They couldn’t use fliers or posters because most people were illiterate.

Today: An advertisement for the Globe

might look like this

Actors

• Vagabonds or vagrants - traveled

• Perceived a threat - spread disease

• Little time to rehearse - 3 weeks

Props, Effects, & Costumes

• Trap doors

• Pig’s blood & guts

• Harnesses & wires

• Sheets of metal

• Canons

• Elaborate costumes - royal hand-me downs

Main Patrons of the Globe

of the GlobeDo whatever you want, as long as it’s what I want.

Lord Strange Lord Chamberlain King James I Queen Elizabeth I