Features of Elizabethan theatre

12 features of the theatre form

Pace

Plays were performed quickly - not garbling and rushing off the stage but without the long breaks to change scenes. Actors would have had to use their voices and bodies expressively to convey mood and meaning.

‘Good’ Acting

Good acting was natural but ‘big’, with a lot of energy and sexuality. The acoustics in theatres meant that actors did not necessarily have to shout to be heard, but they would need to speak clearly.

Times of Performances

Plays were performed in the afternoon as there was no lighting for night performances.

The Stage

Stages were round or polygonal and open to the sky although there was usually a canopy over the stage.

Two doors at the back of the stage lead to the dressing rooms.

There were no curtains, the audience could see everything.

Costumes

Costumes were likely to be fashionable and contemporary (at the time)

They were used to indicate the character’s status or profession.

Special Effects

Special effects were a part of the performances. In particular, a bladder filled with pigs blood was used (concealed under a tunic) if someone was to be stabbed and could therefore ‘bleed.’

Fireworks were also used to replicate lightning and give fights on stage more emphasis.

Stage Directions

Shakespeare gave many of the stage directions in the actual text of his plays.

Consider Hamlet’s speech to the players…“speak the speech I pray you”

Acting Style

Actors had to capture and hold the attention of the audience, therefore their actions and gestures needed to be a lot larger than what we see today.

The audience was also very close to the actors on the stage - this was particularly the case at The Globe theatre, where ‘the groundlings’ were directly in front of the stage.

Language and Delivery

Shakespeare wrote in these styles: iambic pentameter (10 syllables to

the line, with 5 strong and 5 weak beats). This mirrors a heartbeat.

Blank verse Rhyming verse

Some of the text is in prose. In order to make sense, the text should be read to the punctuation, not to the end of a line.

Your speech should not sound like you are performing poetry - it should seem as natural speech.

On Stage

Music and dancing were part of the theatre form, as were sword fights.

Elizabethan actors were accomplished at stage sword fighting since it was something that was usual to them.

Audience

The groundlings paid a small entry fee and stood for the duration of the performance in front of the stage.

Wealthy people bought seats in the galleries or sat on the stage itself.

Female Actors?

Women were not permitted to act so female roles were played by young boys whose voices had not yet broken.

Summary

Pace ‘Good’ Acting Times of Performance The Stage Costumes Special Effects

Stage Directions Acting Style Language and Delivery On Stage Audience Female Actors?