Elizabethan Theatre Understand and explain what theatre was like in the time Shakespeare was writing.

Instructions Glue the picture of the Globe Theatre into your book. Underneath it write ‘The Globe Theatre’ Listen carefully to the information you are given and use it to label the different parts of the theatre on your picture. Add any additional notes to your Shakespeare mind-map.

Roughly circular building – designed on the courtyard of an inn. No stage lighting – plays were held at 2:00 in the afternoon Open-air theatre – performances depended on the weather Performances lasted about 2 hours

Women did not act in the theatre; young boys played the women’s parts. Book holders kept the scripts as each actor usually only received his own lines and not a complete script. Bookholders would help if an actor forgot his lines.

Orchestra The orchestra played in an area above the stage (3rd level). Today they play in the pit. (orchestra pit) There was a main curtain used for various purposes throughout the play.

Stage Area The stage area stuck out into the centre audience area. There was a door on either side of the stage for exits and entrances.

Trap Door The Trap Door was used for certain entrances and exits. Fireworks were often used as actors entered and exited through the trap door.

Balcony The balcony was also used as part of the staging area. (i.e. Romeo and Juliet)

Inner Stage The theatre had an inner stage which was usually concealed by a curtain. Certain scenes would be acted out in this inner stage.

Pit Area The yard below the stage was known as the pit. Here the poor or common people would stand to watch The floor of this area would often be covered with straw. The poor were called groundlings, penny knaves, and stinkards.

Galleries The wealthy filled the galleries which encircled the yard. Gallery seats were just hard wooden benches without backs. Royalty would occasionally sit on the stage itself in the earlier days of the theatre.

Audience Audience interaction and participation was expected. Some parts of the scenes were even acted out in the audience. Unlike modern theatre, the audience did not remain silent to watch the play. They would be shouting and heckling the actors, and if they didn’t like the play, they would throw things too. There would also be people selling food and drink throughout the performances.

Review galleries orchestra doors balcony curtains Inner stage Trap door stage Pit area

Task Imagine that you have travelled back in time to the Elizabethan days. Write a description of your visit to the Globe Theatre. Show your understanding of what the theatre was like in those times. Use the 5 senses and other descriptive techniques. Write at least 10 sentences.