ELIZABETHAN THEATRE

ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND

Age of enlightenment and exploration (Renaissance)Country unified, trade and commerce flourished Expanding with confidence and reflecting in it the drama of the periodEngland became a dominant force under Elizabeth I (1558-1603)London largest city in Europe. Population 200,000 1559. Doubles again in 50 years.

ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND cont.

The Theatres in London were not on the “better” side of the River ThamesThey were located on the Bishop of Canterbury’s LandSurrounded by brothels,pubs and gaming housesBear baiting,cock fights and tournaments were being held in the same space where the first plays were performed

ELIZABETHAN THEATRE

Elizabethan stage practices were learned from Medieval dramas and the traditions of the pageant wagon (few sets, lots of props).

In the early days, Elizabethan theatre space was located in courtyards and the larger homes of noble patrons.

Due to advances many playwrights were able to write very different plays than the more formal Greeks (though many retained the same basic ideas and adopted similar structures)

Elizabethan Theatre was able to be more expansive and include many more actors and action

No hesitancy to show murder and bloodshed on stage.

THEATRE: A COMMERCIAL VENTURE

No longer state or church supported 6 days a week (NO Sundays)In the afternoon from 2-5 o’clock (no lights)Changed plays often to keep the people comingThey announced what kind of play was showing with flags: Black-Tragedy,White-comedy, Red-HistoryOne play could be performed up to ten times in a seasonNew plays in constant demand

THEATRE SPACE

“the Theatre’ first permanent theatre space built in England

Built by James Burbage father of an actor

Constructed in amphitheatre/thrust style: open air

THE GLOBE THEATRE

One of the most famous Elizabethan theatresSurrounded on three sides by seating “galleries”Shakespeare’s troupe performed here.He was part owner in the theatre The acting company had about 25 actors, all maleHalf of the actors were share holders in the theatre.

Globe cont.

Stage was 43 feet wide

Extended 1/2 way into the yard(about 27 1/2ft)

3 stories of galleries:12ft.,11ft. And 9ft in height

4 separately divided gentlemen’s rooms

Globe cont.

The Globe held about 3000 people

Private boxes for the nobility

Sold refreshments

No restroom, no intermission

PLAYWRIGHTS

Paid by the playShakespeare averaged two a yearOften plays of specific playwright written exclusively for one theatre.William Shakespeare, Sir Walter Raleigh, Christopher Marlowe, Edmund Spencer were all Elizabethan playwrights

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

Born April 1564 at Stratford–upon-AvonFather John Shakespeare was a glove maker and traderMarried Anne Hathaway 1582.She was 26.He was 18Three children:Susanna,Twins:Judith & HamnetWrote 37 plays,poems and sonnets (154)Plays are divided into Histories,Tragedies,Comedies & TragicomedyDied 1616 Left his wife his “second best” bed

THE KING’S MEN

Shakespeare was a member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men.Became King’s Men when James I became king in 1603.Company was given royal patent. Performed at court 12 times a year.

SHAKESPEARE PLAYS

History Plays:Henry IV Parts1&2,4&6Parts 1,2 &3,Richard II and III etc.

Tragedies: Romeo & Juliet, Caesar,Hamlet, MacBeth etc.Comedies:12th Night,Much ado About Nothing,Taming of the Shrew,etc.Tragicomedies: All’s Well That Ends Well, A Winter’s Tale, etc.John Heminge & Henry Condell “First Folio”