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 Theater n n n London’s first theater Built in 1576 Owned by James Burbage
James I n n Became king in 1603 Was a supporter of drama James became the patron of Shakespeare’s acting company They changed their company name from Lord Chamberlain’s Men to the King’s Men
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 Permanent Door (stage entrance and exit) (where groundlings /stinkards stood) Platform (main acting area)
Parts of the Globe Chamber (upper stage) Galleries Terras (3 tiers of seats for audience members) (balcony) Study- Tiring House (inner stage) Trap Door (lead to an area beneath the stage known as Hell)
Parts of the Globe Canopy (heavens) (represented the sky) Musician’s Gallery Flag Huts (represented the Heavens)
Performances n n Held in the afternoon (2: 00) A flag would be hoisted on the day of a performance Color told type 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
Shakespeare’s Acting Company n n n Originally Lord Chamberlain’s Men (later became The King’s Men) Richard Burbage (a great tragic actor in Shakespeare’s company) Will Kempe (a famous comedian in Shakepeare’s company) Richard Burbage Shakespeare
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
- Slides: 18