1. During Shakespeare’s Time
The Theater
During Shakespeare’s Time

2. Elizabethan Theater Called this to honor the queen, Queen Elizabeth I
She loved art, music, drama, and poetry
She was a patron of the arts
A patron is a rich citizen of high rank who backed an acting company
She liked Shakespeare’s plays and protected him

3. Important People to the Theater
The “Master of Revels” was the official censor of plays
He approved or censored content
A patron sponsored an acting company
Acting companies had to be sponsored by a patron

4. The Globe Theater Built in 1599 In Southwark (near London)
Shakespeare was a part owner
Burned down in 1613
Rebuilt in 1614
Torn down in 1644 by the Puritans

5. The Globe Octagonal shape Unroofed yard in the center
Audience members who paid a penny and stood in the yard to watch a performance were called groundlings
Seating capacity of 3000

6. Parts of the Globe Yard (where groundlings stood) Permanent Door
(stage entrance and exit)
Platform (main acting area)

7. Performances Held in the afternoon (2:00)
A flag would be hoisted on the day of a performance
The start was signaled by a trumpet sounding 3 times

8. Acting Companies Consisted of 25-30 actors Female roles played by boys
Each company had a clown for comic relief
Plays were written with actors and their abilities in mind

9. Staging and Scenery Most plays lasted two hours
There was little interruption because scenery wasn’t used
Did use some props (lanterns)
Setting was established with words

10. Costumes
Were colorful and expensive
Usually donated by rich patrons

11. Costumes
Would establish a character’s status (wealthy, poor, soldier, king, etc.)
Was symbolic of a character’s morality
White = purity
Black = evil
Red = violence, blood

12. The Closing of the Theaters
Puritans closed down the playhouses in 1644
They believed actors were evil and immoral

13. The New Globe Theater
45 million dollar reconstruction
Opened in 1997