Lasted from the first tragedy written in blank verse in 1561 to 1642 when theaters were shut down by Parliament

Theatrical life was centered in London but there were also touring companies throughout England and Europe

Plays were performed in repertory The same play was almost never performed two days in a row and rarely even twice a week Instead, a company would have as many as 20 plays in rotation and would perform a different play each night with the same company of actors

Actors were only male Young men between the ages of played all of the female roles and were apprentices in the company Performers were working class and were considered just slightly better than vagabonds and wanderers

English Renaissance Theater Structures Theatres from the period were three stories high and with a large open area in the center - the Pit Wealthy patrons sat higher up and commoners (poor people) could pay 1 penny to stand in the Pit The people standing in the Pit were called “Groundlings”

The first theatre was named “Theatre”! Other famous theatres: The Globe Theatre – Shakespeare’s Theatre The Rose The Curtain The Red Bull

Going to the theatre was a part of daily life Men and women both went, although wealthy women sometimes wore masks to hide their faces Audiences shouted, threw fruit and tried to climb on stage

Costumes were mostly modern dress Sets were very minimal Because there was no artificial lighting, plays were performed in the afternoon Time and place were communicated instead through “verbal scene painting” (i.e. describing location, weather, time of day)

Hamlet BERNARDO 'Tis now struck twelve; get thee to bed, Francisco. FRANCISCO For this relief much thanks: 'tis bitter cold, And I am sick at heart.

Thomas Kyd – Wrote The Spanish Tragedy, the most popular play of the era Christopher Marlowe – Wrote Dr. Faustus, wrote a book with criticized the bible which brought him under suspicion of the court, killed in a bar fight (paid government assassins?) Ben Jonson – Also an actor, buddies with Shakespeare, killed another actor in a duel, often kicked out of court for bad behavior

Born April in Stratford-Upon Avon Parents were initially wealthy and respected but then fell on hard times Shakespeare probably went to school (focusing on Latin) until age 14 or 15 At 18, married Anne Hathaway who was 26 and pregnant Had three children: Susanna and twins Judith and Hamnet

Moved to London and became an actor and playwright (not much is known of his life for about 10 years) In 1594, Shakespeare became a founding member, actor, playwright and shareholder of the Lord Chamberlain's Men (a theatre company) Wrote 40 plays and was a favorite at court Was a very good businessman and amassed wealth and property Died on April 23 rd (his birthday) in years after his death, two of his actors publish his plays

The rising Puritan movement was hostile toward theatre, as they felt that entertainment was sinful In 1642, The Parliament banned all plays to “appease and avert the Wrath of God” Theatres remained closed for 18 years, until the monarchy was restored in 1660 The period that followed is called The Restoration Many nobles fled to France during Puritan rule and came back with sophisticated tastes