Welcome to Elizabethan England.. It’s time to don your doublet!

Welcome to Welcome to Elizabethan Elizabethan

England.England.

It’s time to don your doublet!

Tighten your trussing!

Get on your galligaskins!

Girls, put on your farthingales!

Smooth your stomachers!

Remember your ruffs!

Slip on your shoes!

And grab your gloves!

Ladies?

Gentlemen?

Is everybody ready?

We’re going to the theater!

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare Lived 1564-1616. Lived 1564-1616. Born in Stratford-upon-Avon, EnglandBorn in Stratford-upon-Avon, England Married in 1582 to Anne Hathaway (she was eight Married in 1582 to Anne Hathaway (she was eight

years older).years older). They had three children, a girl named Susanna They had three children, a girl named Susanna

(his favorite; married a doctor), and twins named (his favorite; married a doctor), and twins named Hamnet (died when he was 11) and Judith Hamnet (died when he was 11) and Judith (married a man who was in church court for (married a man who was in church court for getting another woman pregnant).getting another woman pregnant).

Joined the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (later the Joined the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (later the King’s Men), which became the most important King’s Men), which became the most important theater company in London. theater company in London.

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

Acted in productions Acted in productions with LCM and wrote with LCM and wrote play in the 1590s.play in the 1590s.

Mixed reviews – Mixed reviews – “contemptuous as an “contemptuous as an upstart cow” and the upstart cow” and the best tragic and comic best tragic and comic playwright in England.playwright in England.

Successful – had the Successful – had the second largest house second largest house in Stratford.in Stratford.

William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

Made money from the Made money from the theatre companies theatre companies profits and profits and investments. investments.

Seven years after his Seven years after his death the First Folio, a death the First Folio, a collected edition of his collected edition of his plays, was printed by plays, was printed by two of his colleagues.two of his colleagues.

What do we know about Shakespeare?

He has had an amazing influence on our English language.

Have you heard these phrases?Have you heard these phrases?

I couldn’t sleep a wink.I couldn’t sleep a wink.He was dead as a doornail.He was dead as a doornail.She’s a tower of strength.She’s a tower of strength.They hoodwinked us.They hoodwinked us. I’m green-eyed with jealousy.I’m green-eyed with jealousy.We’d better lie low for awhile.We’d better lie low for awhile.Keep a civil tongue in your head.Keep a civil tongue in your head.

They are just some of the many expressions coined

by that master of language, William

Shakespeare.

The Globe TheatreThe Globe Theatre

Many of Shakespeare’s plays were Many of Shakespeare’s plays were performed in the now famous Globe performed in the now famous Globe Theatre in London, England.Theatre in London, England.

The Lord Chamberlain’s Men The Lord Chamberlain’s Men managed the theatre for years…managed the theatre for years…especially one guy in particular especially one guy in particular named Burbage.named Burbage.

The (Globe) TheatreThe (Globe) Theatre

First, the civil authorities were NOT the biggest First, the civil authorities were NOT the biggest fans of the theatre. Back in the day, depending fans of the theatre. Back in the day, depending on who was in charge, theatre was sometimes on who was in charge, theatre was sometimes outlawed (those mischievous thespians!)outlawed (those mischievous thespians!)

Originally, the Theatre (that was the actual Originally, the Theatre (that was the actual name…clever, eh?) was built just outside the just name…clever, eh?) was built just outside the just outside the northern London city limits. outside the northern London city limits.

One actor, Burbage, managed the place and One actor, Burbage, managed the place and rented it from Giles Allen. Aside from paying rented it from Giles Allen. Aside from paying rent, then made profits from their performances.rent, then made profits from their performances.

Here’s the funny part…Here’s the funny part…

The (Globe) TheatreThe (Globe) Theatre

So, in December of So, in December of 1598, Burbage gets 1598, Burbage gets into it with Allen. into it with Allen. Burbage has been Burbage has been bringing in the bringing in the money for years and money for years and feels like he has feels like he has bought his portion of bought his portion of The Theatre. Allen The Theatre. Allen says his lease is up…says his lease is up…too bad…get out.too bad…get out.

The (Globe) TheatreThe (Globe) Theatre Okay, here’s the best part. Burbage, some other Okay, here’s the best part. Burbage, some other

actors, and some friends wait until Allen is busy actors, and some friends wait until Allen is busy and distracted with Christmas stuff on December and distracted with Christmas stuff on December 28th.28th.

The sneak over to the Theatre and dismantle the The sneak over to the Theatre and dismantle the place beam by beam.place beam by beam.

They put the pieces in storage, waited for nice They put the pieces in storage, waited for nice spring weather (1599), shipped the pieces across spring weather (1599), shipped the pieces across the Thames river, and built the Globe. the Thames river, and built the Globe.

Take that, Giles Allen! Take that, Giles Allen! Granted, they had to build it in a rough part of Granted, they had to build it in a rough part of

town, but they got their theatre back.town, but they got their theatre back.

The (Globe) TheatreThe (Globe) Theatre Destroyed by fire Destroyed by fire

in 1613.in 1613. Rebuilt in 1614.Rebuilt in 1614. Closed in 1642 by Closed in 1642 by

the Puritans.the Puritans. Torn down around Torn down around

1644.1644. The one you can The one you can

see today was built see today was built in 1997.in 1997.

Now, let the show begin!

This Is NOT "Family This Is NOT "Family Entertainment."Entertainment."

HERE’S A PREVIEW…HERE’S A PREVIEW…

Shakespeare’s Bloodiest PlayShakespeare’s Bloodiest Play

When we first hear of When we first hear of Macbeth, he has just cut an Macbeth, he has just cut an enemy open ("unseamed") enemy open ("unseamed")

from belly button ("nave") to from belly button ("nave") to throat ("chops"). The king throat ("chops"). The king shouts "Oh valiant cousin! shouts "Oh valiant cousin!

Worthy gentleman!" Worthy gentleman!"


At a party, a witch shows her friends At a party, a witch shows her friends the chopped-off thumb of a ship's the chopped-off thumb of a ship's pilot wrecked on his way home.pilot wrecked on his way home.

Lady Macbeth prays aloud to devils Lady Macbeth prays aloud to devils to possess her mind, turn the milk in to possess her mind, turn the milk in her breasts into bile (!), and give her her breasts into bile (!), and give her a man's ability to do evil. a man's ability to do evil.


Lady Macbeth gripes at her husband Lady Macbeth gripes at her husband and ridicules his masculinity in order and ridicules his masculinity in order to make him commit murder. She to make him commit murder. She talks about a smiling baby she once talks about a smiling baby she once nursed and what it would have been nursed and what it would have been like to beat it to death -- she would like to beat it to death -- she would prefer this to having a husband who prefer this to having a husband who is unwilling to kill in cold blood. Think is unwilling to kill in cold blood. Think about exactly what Lady Macbeth is about exactly what Lady Macbeth is saying. saying.


The Macbeths murder a sleeping man in The Macbeths murder a sleeping man in cold blood, then launder his bloody clothes, cold blood, then launder his bloody clothes, smear blood on someone else, then smear blood on someone else, then slaughter them to complete the frame-up. slaughter them to complete the frame-up.

Horses go insane and devour each others' Horses go insane and devour each others' meat while they are still alive. meat while they are still alive.

Among the ingredients of a witches' brew Among the ingredients of a witches' brew are cut-off human lips and a baby's finger. are cut-off human lips and a baby's finger. It's not just any baby -- it was a child It's not just any baby -- it was a child delivered by a prostitute in a ditch, which delivered by a prostitute in a ditch, which she strangled right afterwards. she strangled right afterwards.


To show Macbeth his future, the witches To show Macbeth his future, the witches add to the brew "grease that's sweated add to the brew "grease that's sweated from the murderer's gibbet." Curious what from the murderer's gibbet." Curious what that is?that is?

The bodies of murderers were left hanging The bodies of murderers were left hanging on the gallows (gibbet) until they were on the gallows (gibbet) until they were skeletonized, which takes weeks. At about skeletonized, which takes weeks. At about ten days in suitable weather, there are ten days in suitable weather, there are enough weak points in the skin that the enough weak points in the skin that the body fat, which has liquified, can start body fat, which has liquified, can start dripping through. There will be a puddle of dripping through. There will be a puddle of oil underneath the body. This is for real. oil underneath the body. This is for real.

Double Bubble, Toil and Double Bubble, Toil and Trouble…Trouble…

Superstitions of ActorsSuperstitions of ActorsNEVER:NEVER:

Whistle backstage Whistle backstage Say “Good luck!" to one another Say “Good luck!" to one another

(hence “Break a leg!”(hence “Break a leg!”Speak the last line of the play (the Speak the last line of the play (the

"tag") in rehearsal "tag") in rehearsal Peek through the curtain to see the Peek through the curtain to see the

audience audience Leave hats on dressing room beds or Leave hats on dressing room beds or

shoes on the floor. shoes on the floor.

A Cursed Play?A Cursed Play?

People refer to the play as "that People refer to the play as "that play,” “the unmentionable," or "the play,” “the unmentionable," or "the Scottish play." It is supposed to be Scottish play." It is supposed to be bad luck to quote from the play or to bad luck to quote from the play or to use any sets, costumes, or props use any sets, costumes, or props from a production.from a production.The evil reputation traces back to a The evil reputation traces back to a long line of disasters back to its long line of disasters back to its premier on August 7, 1606. premier on August 7, 1606.

The superstition follows that any company performing the play will be beset with horrible luck, ranging anywhere from uncanny accidents on the set to actual deaths within the company!

In fact, in many parts, it is not only the production of the play that will strike fear, but quoting from the play or even the mere mention of the name MacBeth inside a theatre, be it the stage, the house, the lobby, or especially the dressing rooms will lose a person aquainted with the stage nearly all his or her theatrical friends.

The Origin: There are many origins for this superstition. Old actors believe the witches' song in MacBeth to possess the uncanny power of casting evil spells.

The Curse of MacbethThe Curse of Macbeth

An actor playing Macbeth in 1672 was said An actor playing Macbeth in 1672 was said to have murdered the actor playing Duncan to have murdered the actor playing Duncan offstage, using his stage dagger. offstage, using his stage dagger.

One of the worst disasters occurred in One of the worst disasters occurred in America in 1849, when a long-standing feud America in 1849, when a long-standing feud between the actors William Charles between the actors William Charles Macready and Edwin Forrest resulted in a Macready and Edwin Forrest resulted in a riot outside the Astor Theater, where fans of riot outside the Astor Theater, where fans of Forrest protested an appearance of Forrest protested an appearance of Macready in the role of Macbeth. The crowd Macready in the role of Macbeth. The crowd swelled to 20,000, forcing the militia to fire, swelled to 20,000, forcing the militia to fire, killing 23 people. killing 23 people.


The boy actor playing Lady Macbeth The boy actor playing Lady Macbeth died back stage on opening night. died back stage on opening night.

In 1934, four actors played Macbeth in a In 1934, four actors played Macbeth in a single week. single week.

In 1937, Macbeth had to be postponed In 1937, Macbeth had to be postponed for three days after a change in directors for three days after a change in directors and because of the death of Lilian Baylis. and because of the death of Lilian Baylis.

In 1954, the portrait of Lilian Baylis In 1954, the portrait of Lilian Baylis crashed down on the bar on opening crashed down on the bar on opening night. night.


In 1937, when Laurence Olivier took on the In 1937, when Laurence Olivier took on the role of Macbeth, a 25 pound stage weight role of Macbeth, a 25 pound stage weight crashed within an inch of him, and his crashed within an inch of him, and his sword which broke onstage flew into the sword which broke onstage flew into the audience and hit a man who suffered a audience and hit a man who suffered a heart attack. heart attack.

In the 1942 Macbeth production headed by In the 1942 Macbeth production headed by John Gielgud, three actors -- Duncan and John Gielgud, three actors -- Duncan and two witches -- died, and the costume and two witches -- died, and the costume and set designer committed suicide amidst his set designer committed suicide amidst his devilish Macbeth creations. devilish Macbeth creations.


In one production of Macbeth, nothing went In one production of Macbeth, nothing went wrong until the fight scene between Macbeth wrong until the fight scene between Macbeth and Macduff. Both actors had round "Celtic-and Macduff. Both actors had round "Celtic-style" shields strapped to their forearms of style" shields strapped to their forearms of their left arms. The fight was very physical. their left arms. The fight was very physical. The actor playing Macbeth made a violent The actor playing Macbeth made a violent move with his left arm and the shield left his move with his left arm and the shield left his arm and flew like a Frisbee for twenty feet arm and flew like a Frisbee for twenty feet across the stage.across the stage.The actor playing Macduff ducked instinctively The actor playing Macduff ducked instinctively and the shield hit the ground about sixteen and the shield hit the ground about sixteen inches from the front of the stage. inches from the front of the stage.


The superstition is not so much about The superstition is not so much about doing the play as about naming it. doing the play as about naming it. You are not supposed to mention the You are not supposed to mention the title in a theatre. title in a theatre.

The most interesting theory is that The most interesting theory is that the play contains the devil in the the play contains the devil in the form of the porter. form of the porter.

What can I do about the What can I do about the Curse?Curse?

The most common remedy to get rid The most common remedy to get rid of the curse is that the offender must of the curse is that the offender must step outside, turn around three step outside, turn around three times, spit, and say the foulest word times, spit, and say the foulest word he/she can think of, and then ask for he/she can think of, and then ask for permission to re-enter the theatre.permission to re-enter the theatre.

The SupernaturalThe Supernatural

Many Elizabethans Many Elizabethans believed in the believed in the supernatural and supernatural and superstitions.superstitions.

Most people believed Most people believed that ghosts were real that ghosts were real and that spirits were and that spirits were unable to rest in their unable to rest in their graves until they had graves until they had returned to earth to returned to earth to complete acts that complete acts that they had not finished.they had not finished.

The SupernaturalThe Supernatural

Do we still believe in Do we still believe in the supernatural the supernatural today? How about today? How about superstitions? superstitions? Ghosts? Psychics? Ghosts? Psychics? Healers?Healers?

Do you have any Do you have any experiences with experiences with something you believe something you believe to be supernatural?to be supernatural?

What do you think? Are curses real?

Documents

Welcome to Elizabethan England.. It’s time to don your doublet!