The Theater During Shakespeares Time Elizabethan Theater n

The Theater During Shakespeare’s Time

Elizabethan Theater n n n Called this to honor the queen, Queen Elizabeth I She loved art, music, drama, and poetry She was a patron of the arts n n A patron is a rich citizen of high rank who backed an acting company She liked Shakespeare’s plays and protected him

Important People to the Theater n n The “Master of Revels” was the official censor of plays He approved or censored content A patron sponsored an acting company Acting companies had to be sponsored by a patron

The Globe Theater n n n Built in 1599 In Southwark (near London) Shakespeare was a part owner Burned down in 1613 Rebuilt in 1614 Torn down in 1644 by the Puritans

The Globe n n Octagonal shape Unroofed yard in the center Audience members who paid a penny and stood in the yard to watch a performance were called groundlings Seating capacity of 3000

Parts of the Globe Yard (where Permanent Door (stage entrance and exit) groundlings stood) Platform (main acting area)

Performances n n n Held in the afternoon (2: 00) A flag would be hoisted on the day of a performance The start was signaled by a trumpet sounding 3 times

Acting Companies n n Consisted of 25 -30 actors Female roles played by boys Each company had a clown for comic relief Plays were written with actors and their abilities in mind

Staging and Scenery n n Most plays lasted two hours There was little interruption because scenery wasn’t used Did use some props (lanterns) Setting was established with words

Costumes n n Were colorful and expensive Usually donated by rich patrons

Costumes n n n Would establish a character’s status (wealthy, poor, soldier, king, etc. ) Was symbolic of a character’s morality White = purity Black = evil Red = violence, blood

The Closing of the Theaters n n Puritans closed down the playhouses in 1644 They believed actors were evil and immoral

The New Globe Theater n n 45 million dollar reconstruction Opened in 1997