Theatre History English Renaissance

What medieval institution is credited with the rebirth of western theatre? The Christian church.

What was a tropes? The tropes was a verbal embellishment of the Mass, similar to the dithyrambs of ancient Greece.

During which Christian festival were these early playlets performed? The earliest tropes were included in the Easter Mass. Within short periods of time, similar playlets were added to the Christmas and Epiphany services.

What was the source of the stories which were dramatized? The Bible.

How were these plays staged inside the church? Originally, they were staged on the high alter. As the playlets were extended and additional scenes were added, they were staged on a number of small platforms around the church.

What was a mansion or station? The mansion or station was the scenic façade used to locate the action of the play.

The plateau? The plateau was the neutral playing area on which actors performed.

Who were the actors? The priests.

Why, during the 13th century, were these plays moved out of the church? As the plays became longer and more complicated, it became more and more difficult to stage them indoors. There was also the feeling that the action of some of the plays was too violent to be presented within the church.

Who produced these plays after they left the church? Much like ancient Greece, these plays were produced by the trade guilds.

What is a pageant wagon? A pageant wagon held the mansion, the plateau, and a dressing area on one structure. This wagon stage would be moved from one gathering of audience to the next, much like a float in a parade.

In which country was it used? England.

What is the difference between a mystery play, a miracle play, and a morality play? Mystery Play. The plot and characters were drawn from the books of the Bible. Miracle Play. Built its plot around the lives of the saints. Morality Play. These dramas were based on the spiritual trials of the average man.

What was the “Second Shepard’s Play”? The Second Shepard’s Play (mid 15th century) was a mystery play from the Wakefield Cycle or the Passion Play which draamatizes the last week of Christ’s life.

What was the “Fleury Play-Book”? Fleury Play Book (13th century) dramatized the life of St. Nicholas.

What was “Everyman”? Everyman (late 15th century) told the story of “Everyman” as he is visited by Death. He is told he can take one friend with him on his long journey. He approaches Fellowship, Kindred, Cousin, Goods, Knowledge, Discretion, Strength, Beauty, and Five Wits. All refuse. Only Good Deeds will join him on his journey.

What is the significance of “Gorboduc”? Gorboduc was the first “true” English tragedy. The authors, Thomas Sackville and Thomas Norton, drew their characters from English legends. Much like the work of Shakespeare, it was written in blank verse – unrhymed iambic pentameter.

Who was the first major English playwright? Christopher Marlow.

What types of dramas did he write? Historical tragedies.

What is the title of his most often revived work? Doctor Faustus.

Who was the most popular Elizabethan playwright? William Shakespeare.

What is his most recognized tragedy? Romeo and Juliet.

What are considered to be his four greatest tragedies? Hamlet Othello Macbeth King Lear

What is considered to be his greatest comedy? The Taming of the Shrew.

What was his greatest fantasy play? A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

Why do educational institutions have difficulty staging Shakespeare’s works? They are LONG. The running time for Hamlet is close to five hours long. They require large, mostly male casts. Many of the major roles are difficult, usually beyond the scope of a high school student. The language is difficult to understand or speak.

What was the name of the first English playhouse? Theatre.

When was it built? 1576.

By whom? James Burbage.

Why was it not built in the city of London? The city would not permit professional theatres. Actors were considered rouges and vagabonds.

What was the relationship between the Theatre and the Globe? The Globe was built from the timbers of the Theatre. When the lease ran out for the Theatre, it’s landlord threatened to destroy the structure. Burbage dismantled the Theatre, took it across London, and rebuilt it south of the Thames River as the Globe.

What was the yard or pit? The courtyard, where the audience stood to watch a performance.

The forestage? That part of the stage where most of the action occurred. This section jutted into the center of the pit.

The inner below? The curtained area at the rear of the forestage.

The inner above? The curtained area above the inner below on the second level (or balcony).

The heavens? The roof over the forestage.

Who were the groundlings? The poorest members of the audience who paid 1 penny to stand in the pit. The wealthy paid an additional penny for the right to sit in the galleries.

Who played the women’s roles? Young boys (age 10 to 20) played the women’s roles as women were not allowed on stage.

How did this affect the Elizabethan playwrights? Elizabethan playwrights included very few women in the casts of their plays. For example, Hamlet’s cast includes 27 men and 2 women.

Who closed the theatres in 1642? Oliver Cromwell, the Lord General of the English Commonwealth. He led Parliament in a revolt against Charles I’s more liberal society. Charles I was killed in the revolution and the theatres were closed to “appease and avert the wrath of God.”