The Elizabethan theatre emerged in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I between 1558-1603. Plays were initially performed in inn yards but purpose-built theatres soon arose. The Globe Theatre, built in 1599, was one of the most famous playhouses of the time where Shakespeare's works were often performed. It was an open-air, three-story circular structure that could hold up to 3000 people. Major genres during this period included comedies, histories, and tragedies. All roles were played by men since women were banned from performing until 1660.
4. Before the theatres
Actors performed before in Inn Yards and
the Inns of Court
They had a bad reputation and were
designated as „rabbles“
Social change 1558
People were better educated
and wealthier led to the Elizabethian Age
5. The theatre
Actors performed before in the courtyards
of inns and the Inns of Court
Were banished from the London center
1572
Theatres were a space for the congregation
of every social class
6.
7. Inn Yards
Very popular as it provided alcohol and
lodging.
Performances were held in private Inns.
A small fee was charged to playgoers as they
entered the inn-yard.
An additional fee was added onif they wanted
to go up to abalcony level.
The Audience capacity was up to 500 people.
8. Elizabethan Theater
Theater of england between 1562 and 1642.
technical term: English Renaissance theatre
Named after Queen Elizabeth Ⅰ
(reg. 1558–1603)
Social changes 1558 intrest in theatre
Plays were performed publicly
Prohibited under the puritan reign (1642)
9. Genres
Growing emphasis on “real life” situations.
Comedies: usually ended in marriage.
Eg: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Merry Wives of Windsor
Subgenre: city comedy, which deals satirically with life in
London
History plays: depict Englisch or European history,
normally about the lifes of kings.
Eg: Henry V, Henry VIII, Richard II.
Tragedies: ( most popular genre) hero undergoes a series
of unfortunate events which normaly lead in his death.
Eg: Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo & Juliet
10. Actors
All actors were men
Younger boys had to play women and wear
make-up made from lead, which gave them
led poisoning
Not until 1660 that women were allowed to
perform Early actors had a bad reputation-this
changes as the theatre became more popular<br
/>“Players” were a group of actors<br
/>Actors<br />
11. The Plays
New Performance every day
Played for 6 days a week
Repeated plays ( every 2-4 weeks)
Wide spectrum of performances
The sharers made a desicion of which plays
to pick
The workload of the actors were
tremendous
12. Clothes
Imitating the clothes of the respective social
standing of the actor
Costumes were used to recognise characters.
Even though the English Sumptuary Law of
1574, the actors were allowed to wear the
costumes
Colours symbolized class, and costumes were
made to reflect that.
For example, if a character was royalty, their
costume included purple.
13.
14. Sets
Were not really important
Were carried on stage by the actors or
helpers
Used title boards
Someone was bringing the sign on stage
when the scene started
Areas in the Reare were symbolic for the
inside of an house or shop
15. Props
Very important- because of the lack of sets
Certain props meant certain locations
Chairs, tables and drinking cups symbolized a tavern
16. The End of the Theatres
The rising Puritan movement was hostile
toward theatre
2 september 1642, the parlament forbid the
staging of plays in london
The theatres were not closed, but rather used
for other purposes
Allowed after the Restauration of the
Monarchy 1660, new types of plays like the
Restauration comedy
19. The Globe Theatre
• It was constructed in 1599, by the Burbage
brothers
• The Lord Chamberlain’s Men needed a place
to perform
• It was octagon shaped, roofless with a stage and
3 galleries surrounding it
• It was 80x80 ft. and held about 3,000 people
• They do not know what the original Globe
Theatre looked like
20. History of the Globe Theatre
Built in 1598 and opened in 1599
Burned down in1613 from a cannon blast
during the play “Henry VIII”
Rebuilt and reopened in 1614
Closed down by Puritans in 1642 and was
torn down in 1644
In 1996 a replica was built on the original
site
21. Facts about the Globe Theatre
Original Globe was 3 stories and held about
3000 people.
Although most of Shakespeare’s plays were
held there, he only owned 12% of the
theatre.
Located in Southwark near the Thames
River (just outside of London).
22. More Globe Facts
All classes of people attended plays there.
No roof so that they had sunlight.
Thus, plays had to be during the day or
afternoon .
People often skipped work to go.
23. The groundlings
For one penny, the lower and middle class
could stand on the theatre floor.
These people were called the groundlings.
Because it was an open air amphitheatre,
the groundlings were vulnerable to the
elements.
24. Upper class seating
For around 5 pennies, nobles and the upper-
class could watch from the balcony seats.
The highest nobles could pay to sit in the
seats directly above the stage.<br />By
doing this, they would be seen by the
playgoers.