Elizabethan Elizabethan AgeAgeTheatreTheatre1558-16031558-1603

Origins of Elizabethan Origins of Elizabethan AgeAge

Named for Queen Elizabeth I of EnglandNamed for Queen Elizabeth I of England

QE was a strong supporter of the arts QE was a strong supporter of the arts (literature, visual art, theater, music)(literature, visual art, theater, music)

Artists were supported by the noblesArtists were supported by the nobles

PlayhousesPlayhouses

Playhouses were first located in London’s Playhouses were first located in London’s city limitscity limits

James Burbage built the first playhouse: James Burbage built the first playhouse: The Theater (1576)The Theater (1576)

Puritans and Politicians were against Puritans and Politicians were against playhouses because of the content and playhouses because of the content and the crowds they drewthe crowds they drew

Playhouses (continued)Playhouses (continued)

1597 – timber from The Theater was 1597 – timber from The Theater was ferried across the Thames River to ferried across the Thames River to Southwark and used to build The GlobeSouthwark and used to build The Globe

No advertising of the plays in the city – No advertising of the plays in the city – managers used flagsmanagers used flags Black – tragedyBlack – tragedy White – comedyWhite – comedy Red - history Red - history

Playhouses (continued)Playhouses (continued)

Playhouses held 1500 – 3000 spectatorsPlayhouses held 1500 – 3000 spectators Spectators were ferried across the riverSpectators were ferried across the river Admission cost – 1 penny to stand in the Admission cost – 1 penny to stand in the

(mosh) “pits” or more to sit in the tiers(mosh) “pits” or more to sit in the tiers 1648 – Puritans order that all playhouses 1648 – Puritans order that all playhouses

be torn downbe torn down 1660 – Playhouses reopen1660 – Playhouses reopen

DramaDrama

Only men were allowed to performOnly men were allowed to perform The parts of women were played by The parts of women were played by

young boysyoung boys Audiences cheered – talked to the actors Audiences cheered – talked to the actors

– threw things at the actors– threw things at the actors Plays were performed in the afternoonPlays were performed in the afternoon Realistic costumes and special Realistic costumes and special

Drama (continued)Drama (continued) Stage was round so that the actors could Stage was round so that the actors could

directly address the audience through directly address the audience through soliloquies and asidessoliloquies and asides

Heavens, trapdoors, inner and outer Heavens, trapdoors, inner and outer stage areasstage areas

Natural lighting (daytime performances)Natural lighting (daytime performances)