English Renaissance Theatre 16– 17th century Queen Elizabeth (Reign 1558-1603)

Where have we been? Coming out of Medieval era; Remember, Medieval era was God-centered Medieval Theater focused on teaching morals or religion

When theater moved out of the church, it got out of the church’s control. By the end of the 15th century, actors were considered vagabonds and rogues unless they were attached to a court.

1558 - Queen Elizabeth banned all plays with religious subject

Can I get a comeback? Universities develop: Classical learning Students study Roman plays & perform them Students write plays

Can I get a comeback? Educated boys with nothing to do People moving into cities from farms More $$ = More free time = Need for entertainment

The city of London is run by city council. Didn’t want any part of theatre Strong Puritan influence (Middle Class)

So public theatres were located outside of the city.

BUT in palaces, theatre was very popular!

In 1572, the actor was legally recognized BUT: Actor & theatre had to get a license. Theatre was under control of a council.

All scripts had to be read & approved by council. Acting troupe had to be under the patronage (sponsorship) of a nobleman.

Bear baiting was a very popular form of entertainment. Bear chained to a stake and dogs attack. Bear baiting pit – flat, circular, outdoor area with fence

Richard Burbage: Needed a place to act 1576 - rented a bear baiting pit – called it The Theatre Could easily be turned back into bear baiting pit

The Theatre: Very successful!! Fixed place = fixed audience = need for more scripts After 20 years, could not renew lease Burbage took the stage & moved it to a new space - The Globe.

Let’s talk about space.

DeWitt Sketch (1596) Swan Theatre Discovered in 1880

Physical theatre structure: Flat, thrust stage Two side entrances Two columns with a roof Second story platform; balcony

Physical theatre structure: 5. Discovery space (inner below) – recessed area at the back of the stage used to reveal/conceal characters or places.

DeWitt Sketch (1596) Swan Theatre

Yard: area where audience members stood Groundlings: those who stood Gallery: area where audience members sat Claques: paid applauders / participants

Characteristics of Elizabethan theatre: All actors were men Simple sets, but elaborate costumes Emblematic signifiers –props or symbols the audience knows

Sam Wannamaker: American who moved to England Surprised to find very little on Shakespeare’s theatre.

1989 - decided to research The Globe & rebuild it. They found The Globe foundation. Researched the remains, altered his ideas, & built The Globe. (1997)

Fun Facts! Never went to college Wife - Anne Hathaway Lived in London while his family lived in Stratford 3 kids – Susanna, Hamnet, & Judith

William Shakespeare (1564 – 1616): Shareholder, actor, and playwright in the Lord Chamberlain’s Men & The King’s Men Eventually became part owner of The Globe

William Shakespeare: First Folio –1623 his plays were published; some had never been printed before Wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets.

Hamlet: It was very common for writers to borrow from earlier literary works

Renaissance Humanism: a new interest in human experience, and also an optimism about the potential scope of human understanding So.. God-centered focus (Medieval) transitioned into man-centered (Renaissance)

The purpose of cultivating reason was to lead to a better understanding of how to act By the 16th and 17th centuries a more skeptical view of Humanism had developed. Stressed limits of human understanding

The world was a world of appearances; human beings could never hope to see past those appearances into the “realities” that lie behind them