Shakespearean Theater London 1599 “The Play’s the Thing”

Basic Shakespeare Facts Born: April 23 rd,1564 Died: April 23 rd, 1616 Married Anne Hathaway 1582 –(he was 18, she was 26) They had 3 children Susanna, Hamnet and Judith (twins)--- Hamnet died as a child.

The Age of Shakespeare He wrote from during the Renaissance or the Elizabethan Age This time period is known for its theater and thriving literature

Queen Elizabeth and King James of Scotland were great supporters of literature and the arts- they both supported Shakespeare during their reign This time period also brought economic and social growth to England Shakespeare’s Patrons

“players” were not always greatly accepted by the cities they visited because play-acting was considered sinful by some communities. In 1574 players were banished from London The Lives of Actors

Theaters To get around this, James Burbage built the first public playhouse or theater in England leading to the development of other theaters Shakespeare’s company performed at Burbage’s theater, until building their own Shakespeare (along with other company shareholders) built his theater in he called it the “Globe”- and he referred to it as the wooden “O” The Globe was a circular building with three levels overlooking a courtyard with a platform stage

The Wooden O Day time, outdoor performances only Flags were used to show that a play was being held--black tragedy, white comedy, red history 1613 a cannon caught the Globe fire It was rebuilt in 1614 It was demolished in 1644 by the Puritans because it was immoral

The Wooden O Three main parts: the building proper, the stage-Pit (5ft above the ground), and the tiring house-used for dressing Heaven, decorated with a zodiac and Hell-upper and lower trap doors 3 stories high 3000 people

The Cost 1 shilling to stand 2 shillings to sit in the balcony 6 shillings for the galleries- Private/Lords Room 1 shilling was 10% of their weekly income

Actors Elaborate costumes, but props were minimal- scene changes were announced by actors Characters were performed by males only-even the female parts Had to have great memorization skills for 2 hour long plays

Customers Play seekers ranged from Queen Elizabeth I to Queen Mary (Bloody Mary) to the poorest of the land Acted privately for people of the highest nobility The audience were allowed to throw rotten food at bad actors

Plague The Black or Bubonic Plague killed millions throughout Europe and Asia Theaters were closed; however, Shakespeare presented plays for King James during this time

Flag Trap Door Heaven Tiring House Upper StageGalleries Stage Inner Stage Yard Pillars Entrance Foundation