The world of the theatre Compact Performer - Culture & Literature Marina Spiazzi, Marina Tavella, Margaret Layton © 2015

1. London’s permanent theatres Towards the end of the 16th century, several theatres were built. The Theatre (by James Burbage, 1576) The Curtain (by James Burbage, 1577) The Globe (by Cuthbert Burbage, 1599) Compact Performer - Culture & Literature

2. The Architecture of Theatres The playhouses: were round or octagonal in shape; were 12 metres high; had a diameter of 25 metres; had a rectangular stage. Compact Performer - Culture & Literature

3. Internal layout The same basic structure consisted of: a stage covered by a roof supported by two pillars and projected into a central area. The stage had no curtain. Compact Performer - Culture & Literature

3. Internal layout There were three tiers of galleries around the stage where rich people sat. There was a roof to protect them The poor people stood in the pit that had no roof. They paid a penny The actor’s tiring house room was behind the stage. There was no scenery and there were few props. Compact Performer - Culture & Literature

4. The audience The spectators ate and drank during the performance. They freely expressed their emotions with laughter or tears. They liked and long speeches. Compact Performer - Culture & Literature

4. The audience They liked strong emotions. They loved metaphors and extremes. They enjoyed horror and violence. They loved chronicles and history plays with heroic deeds (strong national feeling). Compact Performer - Culture & Literature

5. The actors They had to vary their repertoire. They had little time to prepare a new play. They should have excellent memory. Compact Performer - Culture & Literature

6. Female roles Women couldn’t act because it was considered immoral. Companies included some boys to play female roles until their voices broke. Contemporary audiences found them very convincing. Compact Performer - Culture & Literature