Only write what’s underlined The Globe Theater Only write what’s underlined

Total capacity of between 2,000 and 3,000 spectators No lighting Performances at the Globe were conducted, weather permitting, during the day (probably most often in the mid-afternoon span between 2 P.M. and 5 P.M.) Because most of the Globe and all of its stage was open air, acoustics were poor and the actors were compelled by circumstances to shout their lines, stress their enunciation, and engage in exaggerated theatrical gestures.

Costumes and props were utilized; however, there were no backgrounds or scenery. Scene changes were indicated explicitly or implicitly in the speeches and narrative situations that Shakespeare wrote into the text of the plays. The playhouse did not have curtains. Actors had to change their costumes backstage.

The Globe Theater was the most sophisticated theater in England during this period. The Globe company used massive props like fully working canons, although it would of course had to be left on stage for the entire performance of the play.  The Globe company used special effects: smoke effects, the firing of a real canon, fireworks (for dramatic battle scenes) and spectacular 'flying' entrances.

The stage floor had trap-doors allowing for additional surprising incidents. Music was another addition to the Globe productions. 

Towering above the Globe was a small tower with a flag pole, for advertisement purposes. Flags were erected on the day of the performance which sometimes displayed a picture advertising the next play to be performed. Color coding was also used - a black flag meant a tragedy, white a comedy, and red a history. 

Elizabethan theater and the acting companies that animated it were looked at as evil by at least some conservative elements in England. The acting profession was considered a precarious way. Most stage players were vulnerable to arrest on charges of vagrancy (homelessness) if they were not under the protection of a powerful sponsor. Young boys played the parts of main female protagonist like Juliet.

It was against English law to dress in clothing that was outside of your class; for example, peasants must wear peasant clothes they cannot dress up like a princess. However, actors could wear the clothes of Kings, Queens, Noblemen, and Noblewomen.

Globe audiences would pay one penny for a view of the play by standing on the ground, in front of the stage. These people were called “groundlings”. And consisted of house servants, unskilled workers, and unemployed people.

They would sit/stand, talk, throw food, etc, while the play was being performed. To sit on the first gallery would cost another penny in the box which was held by a collector on the front of the stairs. Skilled artisans, high-ranking landowners, merchants and military officers were seated here.

To sit on the second gallery, you put another penny in the box held by the man at the second flight of stairs. Aristocrats, ladies of the court, and nobles sat in this area.

Elite society looked down on attending the theater; therefore, upper class man and women would wear a mask to disguise their identity. The subject matter of the plays would often be vulgar and sexual.

The theatres didn’t just show plays The theatres didn’t just show plays. Some also served as a brothel and gambling house when plays were not being performed. Crime increased at the theaters and following the performances the crowds were noisy and unruly.