THE THEATRE “All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players. They have their exits and their entrances; And one man in his time plays many parts.” -William Shakespeare, As you Like It, II.vii

THEATRE BEFORE THEATRE Originally a mobile, amatur activity performed on a yearly cycle these often put on by townspeople or guilds often a whole town affair with everyone participating in some sort Private shows could be put on for the nobility or royalty, or in school schools especially favored Greek plays

THE THEATRE In London, the first successful theater to open was the Theatre, which opened its doors in 1576. It was owned by James Burbage and a few of his fellow actors. It was so popular that the Curtain opened a year later. By the late 1580s, theatres had become a popular source of entertainment. Soon there were competing troops trying to attract crowds. James Burbage and Edward Alleyn are often considered the best actors of the day. James Burbage, with the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, played at the Globe. Edward Alleyn, with the Admiral's Men, played at the Rose. Photo Credit: [The Swan Playhouse] wikimedia retrieved on 2/1/2015 from wikipedia.org.

THE LIBERTIES However, because of the heavy Puritan influence in London, theatres were built in “Liberties”, which were “outside the jurisdiction” and “not bound by London law”. Many of these “Liberties” were located south of the Thames River (de Grazia & Wells, 2010). The appeal of the theatre stemmed from its accessibility to all “classes” (Allen et al, 2008). Standing room in the courtyard cost just a penny while those with wealth could pay for a seat. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Globe-Theatre

THE GLOBE At one point, the Theatre had to be relocated because it was on rented land. The actors took apart the Theatre and rebuilt the Globe on the other side of the Thames (de Grazia & Wells, 2010). Soon to be the most famous playhouse, the Globe could hold nearly 3,000 people, though it was usually closer to 2,000. It was an “open-air” playhouse, with no roof, a raised stage, a pit, and three floors of seating (Allen et al, 2008). Photo Credit: Me!

AN INSIDE PEAK Photo Credit: Me! Photo Credit: [The Globe] wikipedia retrieved on 2/1/2015 from wikimedia.org

SOUTHWARK The south side of the Thames River was known for its “light-hearted entertainment” as well as its more “dubious pleasures”. This included: -puppet shows -performing animals -dancers -bear-baiting -cockfighting -pubs and alehouses -prostitution -plays (de Grazia & Wells, 2010) Photo Credit: [Map of London] wikimedia retrieved on 2/1/2015 from wikipedia.org.

http://www.elizabethan-era.org.uk/elizabethan-london.htm

THE STAGE Photo Credit: Me! Compared to many productions today, those originally put on in these theatres were very sparse. Actors relied on their words and actions in order to convey scene to their audience (Allen et al, 2008). Historical accuracy was not a main concern. However, people expected elaborate costumes, discernible characters, music, showmanship, theatrical tricks, and props. Audiences wanted to be entertained. Playgoers desired plays with strong dramatic plots that focus on the highs and lows of human emotion. Even in tragedy, though, comedy was important. Even the most violent and tragic plays had comic scenes. Elizabethan audiences cared greatly about the language. Often the best written plays, with the highest quality words, are the ones that drew crowds again and again. Photo Credit: Me!

THE THEATRE Because of the open yard, many individuals came to the theatre to be seen. They wanted to see and to be seen. This influenced also where you sat. The richer you were the closer you sat to the stage. Though this often decreased the quality of the viewing experience, it meant that everyone in the yard and seats, could see you in all your wealth and finery. https://www.emaze.com/@AFCWWQCL/The-Globe%C2%A0Theater

THE THEATRE Heaven -an “internal roof” -helped to amplify the actors voices Earth -the stage itself Hell -the area beneath the stage (de Grazia & Wells, 2010)

THE STAGE Photo Credits: Me!

THE ORIGINAL GLOBE Photo Credit: Me! In the Elizabethan theatre there were far fewer individuals beyond the writers, actors and owners. There were “no understudies”, “no conceptualizers”, and “no directors”. The Master of the Revels was the man who read all plays before they were performed and approved them for the playhouse audience. Boys were taken on as apprentices who played as young boys and all female roles (de Grazia & Wells, 2010). In a week, a single company could put on six different plays, adding a new play into the mix at every two weeks. Photo Credit: Me!

CHARACTERS Because Shakespeare wrote for a company of actors he knew well, he “shaped his characterizations to the skills of his colleagues”. Therefore, “he regularly repeats character types”: the fool, the “gullible old man”, and wily, “charismatic villain” (de Grazia & Wells, 2010). James Burbage played both Lear and Hamlet, while William Kempe repeatedly played the fool. Photo Credit: [Merchant of Venice] flikr retrieved on 2/1/2015 from flikr.com

CLOSING The theatre’s were officially closed in 1642; however, this was years after Shakespeare’s death.

Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. RESOURCES Allen, J., et al. (2008). McDougal Little Literature. Evanston, IL: McDougal Little. De Grazia, M., & Wells, S. (2010). The New Cambridge Companion to Shakespeare. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.