The Theater During Shakespeare’s Time

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

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

The Theater London’s first theater Built in 1576 Owned by James Burbage

James I Became king in 1603 Was a supporter of drama James became the patron of Shakespeare’s acting company They changed their company name from Lord Chamberlain’s Men to the King’s Men

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

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

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

Parts of the Globe Trap Door (lead to an area beneath the stage known as Hell) Galleries (3 tiers of seats for audience members) Study (inner stage) Terras (balcony) Chamber (upper stage)

Parts of the Globe Musician’s Gallery Canopy (represented the sky) Huts (represented the Heavens) Fla g

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

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

Shakespeare’s Acting Company Originally Lord Chamberlain’s Men (later became The King’s Men) Richard Burbage (a great tragic actor in Shakespeare’s company) Will Kempe (a famous comedian in Shakepeare’s company) Shakespeare Richard Burbage

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

Costumes Were colorful and expensive Usually donated by rich patrons

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

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

The New Globe Theater 45 million dollar reconstruction Opened in 1997