The Elizabethan Era 1558-1603, England War victories over Spanish Armada Exploration Success Literary Success Trade markets expanded All of this resulted in a very strong English pride

Theatre Players & Haters Lord Mayor, Puritans & Other Civil Authorities: Crowds would spread disease & start fights “dens of iniquity” Hated theatre Closed them down after Elizabeth I- James I- Charles I’s reigns Arrested actors & audience members Queen Elizabeth I: Commanded court performances Court sponsorship Approved of dramatic activity

Elizabethan Theatres: The Elizabethan Era Elizabethan Theatres: The Theatre- -First theatre built during this time -Built in 1576 by James Burbage -Held 1,500 people -Built outside of London -15,000 theatre goers per week

Elizabethan Theatres: The Elizabethan Era Elizabethan Theatres: All had a wooden O structure Round or octagonal shape 2-3 tiers of galleries Open court in the middle

Elizabethan Theatres: The Elizabethan Era Elizabethan Theatres: The Stages: -large platform with trapdoors -elevated by 4-6 feet -discovery spaces: a space hidden by doors onstage that could be opened to reveal another scene. -tiring houses

Elizabethan Theatres: The Elizabethan Era Elizabethan Theatres: The Stages: -4 Levels >2nd: “inner above” balcony & terrace >3rd: Musician space >4th: “the hut” held stage machinery for special effects

Elizabethan Theatres: The Elizabethan Era Elizabethan Theatres: The Productions: -held in the afternoon (daylight as lighting system) -Raised Flag (white: comedy, black: tragedy) -Plays= movies, novels, radio, tv, newspapers, internet, etc. all rolled into one

Elizabethan Theatres: The Elizabethan Era Elizabethan Theatres: The Productions: -atmosphere: loud & boisterous -groudling: a poor spectator in the cheap standing room section of an Elizabethan Theatre. -lords & ladies: sat in the seats in the galleries & sometimes onstage -Everyone attended (Rich & Poor) -Food sold & sometimes thrown

Elizabethan Theatres: The Elizabethan Era Elizabethan Theatres: The Productions: -Used some sound effects >cannon that burnt down the Globe in 1613 -Costumes were normally clothes from the era >due to the patrons that funded them >except for fairies, witches, lawyers & churchmen

Elizabethan Theatres: The Elizabethan Era Elizabethan Theatres: The Actors -All men & young boys whose voices had not yet changed -strenuous job >due to the singing, fighting, fencing, & dancing normally involved -Edward Alleyn & Richard Burbage were two of the most popular actors of the time

The Elizabethan Era The Playwrights -Different types of writing Wrote with great freedom Did NOT focus on unities of time & place Had violence onstage Mixed things up -Different types of writing -Comedy & tragedy

The Elizabethan Era The Fashion Ruffles= status in society Wanted to look as petite as possible Wanted to look like the men: broad shoulders, wide hips, slim waists

The Elizabethan Era The Fashion Gorgeous and elaborate Queen Elizabeth= the perfect model - 300 gowns several hundred other costumes/ state apparel Puffy sleeves Dresses with tight-fitting bodices mirroring the prosperity and energy of the age English dress became increasingly exaggerated, following the eccentric tastes of the aging queen

The Elizabethan Era The Food -Dinner @ 11 or 12 Generally, people ate 2 meals: -Dinner @ 11 or 12 -Supper @ around 6 Sweets were popular with nobility Poorer people had a healthier diet Bread was always readily available mirroring the prosperity and energy of the age English dress became increasingly exaggerated, following the eccentric tastes of the aging queen

The Elizabethan Era Project Perform a Scene from an Elizabethan Play Elizabethan Food Elizabethan Fashion Theatre Design mirroring the prosperity and energy of the age English dress became increasingly exaggerated, following the eccentric tastes of the aging queen Advertising for an Elizabethan Play Elizabethan Sports

The Elizabethan Era Project http://www.erasofelegance.com/history/elizabethan.html http://www.elizabethan- era.org.uk/elizabethan- england.htm http://www.bardweb.net /england.html http://www.elizabethaneng landlife.com/index.html mirroring the prosperity and energy of the age English dress became increasingly exaggerated, following the eccentric tastes of the aging queen http://www.fordham.edu/hal sall/mod/1577harrison- england.html http://www.elizabethaneng landlife.com/index.html