1. Cambridge Plays By Sarah Bowler

2. Background on Queens’ College Founded in 1448 by Margaret of Anjou, and then again in 1465 by Elizabeth Woodville Founded in 1448 by Margaret of Anjou, and then again in 1465 by Elizabeth Woodville Part of Cambridge University, one of Britain’s most distinguished universities, Part of Cambridge University, one of Britain’s most distinguished universities, Cambridge operates many colleges inside the structure of the University Cambridge operates many colleges inside the structure of the University Famous Alumni: The late Queen Mum graduated from Queens’ College Famous Alumni: The late Queen Mum graduated from Queens’ College

3. Queens’ College Theatre Constructed from 1546-1547, and 1548- 1549 Constructed from 1546-1547, and 1548- 1549 Erected annually in the College Hall, which served as the dining room Erected annually in the College Hall, which served as the dining room Survived for 90 years Survived for 90 years Constructed with a series of timbers that would be assembled in the college hall after the tables were moved away Constructed with a series of timbers that would be assembled in the college hall after the tables were moved away

4. Structure of Queens’ College Theatre Stage platform- runs from one side of the hall to the other, probably more towards the middle to back of the room Stage platform- runs from one side of the hall to the other, probably more towards the middle to back of the room Stage houses- a structure with two or more stories that had a railed platform on top Stage houses- a structure with two or more stories that had a railed platform on top Scaffold seating-for important visitors and dignitaries of the college above the stage, towards the front of the hall, and for students and other spectators towards the back Scaffold seating-for important visitors and dignitaries of the college above the stage, towards the front of the hall, and for students and other spectators towards the back 3 available openings that could be used as doorways 3 available openings that could be used as doorways

5. The Old Hall at Queens’ College

6. Background on Trinity College Founded in 1546 by Henry VIII ( Everybody’s favourite monarch) Founded in 1546 by Henry VIII ( Everybody’s favourite monarch) He wanted the college to produce future leaders of the reformed Anglican Church He wanted the college to produce future leaders of the reformed Anglican Church It was an amalgamation of King’s Hall and Michealhouse It was an amalgamation of King’s Hall and Michealhouse Currently the largest college in Cambridge Currently the largest college in Cambridge

7. Trinity College Theatre This stage was similar to the one at Queens’ in it’s construction, only larger This stage was similar to the one at Queens’ in it’s construction, only larger The plays took place in the Great Hall, and was completed in 1608, before the completion of this Hall, plays were performed in the Old Hall which was part of the Michealhouse part of the college The plays took place in the Great Hall, and was completed in 1608, before the completion of this Hall, plays were performed in the Old Hall which was part of the Michealhouse part of the college It was used annually by the college until 1642 It was used annually by the college until 1642 Many of the plays performed here were specifically written for noble or royal visits Many of the plays performed here were specifically written for noble or royal visits A throne platform was built into the theatre for use when the king or prince came to the play A throne platform was built into the theatre for use when the king or prince came to the play The Great Hall is almost unchanged since 1608 and is an authentic Jacobean theatre The Great Hall is almost unchanged since 1608 and is an authentic Jacobean theatre

8. Great Hall, Trinity College, Cambridge

9. Cambridge Plays Around 60 plays that survive today were written specifically for the Cambridge theatres Around 60 plays that survive today were written specifically for the Cambridge theatres With these there are 25 cast lists With these there are 25 cast lists 474 professional plays in London, and 15 cast lists 474 professional plays in London, and 15 cast lists Leander, Labrynthus, and Cancer are three plays that were performed in the Trinity College Theatre Leander, Labrynthus, and Cancer are three plays that were performed in the Trinity College Theatre All have complete stage directions, and are very similar in structure All have complete stage directions, and are very similar in structure

10. Cancer; A representation of a stage plan The play Cancer probably contains more original stage directions than any other play from the English Renaissance The play Cancer probably contains more original stage directions than any other play from the English Renaissance 4 houses: Ursilia, Sempronius, Rodericus, Granchio 4 houses: Ursilia, Sempronius, Rodericus, Granchio Offstage exits towards the bachelors of medicine (Stage left) & senior Dean (Stage right) Offstage exits towards the bachelors of medicine (Stage left) & senior Dean (Stage right) Entrance through an alley in between Ursilia and Sempronius Entrance through an alley in between Ursilia and Sempronius This is a fairly sophisticated set of directions for a play that was written in 1613 This is a fairly sophisticated set of directions for a play that was written in 1613

11. Characteristics of the Academic stage All the action in the play took place on one city street- fixed local setting All the action in the play took place on one city street- fixed local setting An upper-level window was very important to the setting of the play, An upper-level window was very important to the setting of the play, Window had working shutters, and the doorways had wooden doors with hinges Window had working shutters, and the doorways had wooden doors with hinges Also often there were elaborate props on stage- ie coffins, trees, etc Also often there were elaborate props on stage- ie coffins, trees, etc Pastoral plays were also performed in this way, but the stage houses would be covered by cloth Pastoral plays were also performed in this way, but the stage houses would be covered by cloth Action of the play was projected outwards towards the audience on the ground Action of the play was projected outwards towards the audience on the ground Cambridge plays were mainly comedies Cambridge plays were mainly comedies

12. Quiz Time Given your recently gained knowledge on the stage structure of the Cambridge plays, why is it odd that the action of the play would be projected outwards? Given your recently gained knowledge on the stage structure of the Cambridge plays, why is it odd that the action of the play would be projected outwards? Why is a upper-level window necessary to aid in the action of the play? Why is a upper-level window necessary to aid in the action of the play?

13. Conclusions The Cambridge academic plays were characterized by the fixed local of the action on stage. This traditional way of performing was maintained despite the construction of the New Hall at Trinity. The Cambridge academic plays were characterized by the fixed local of the action on stage. This traditional way of performing was maintained despite the construction of the New Hall at Trinity. How does the Cambridge tradition of drama contribute to our understanding of the evolution of English drama? How does the Cambridge tradition of drama contribute to our understanding of the evolution of English drama?

14. Bibliography Nelson, A.H.”The Universities;Early Staging in Cambridge.”A New History of Early English Drama. Ed. John cox and David Scott Kastan. New York: Columbia UP,1997. www.trin.cam.ac.uk www.qns.cam.ac.uk