1. The world of the theatre
Compact Performer - Culture & Literature
Marina Spiazzi, Marina Tavella,
Margaret Layton © 2015

2. 1. London’s permanent theatres
Towards the end of the 16th century, several theatres were built.
The Theatre (by James Burbage, 1576)
The Curtain (by James Burbage, 1577)
The Globe (by Cuthbert Burbage, 1599)
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3. 2. The Architecture of Theatres
The playhouses:
were round or octagonal in shape;
were 12 metres high;
had a diameter of 25 metres;
had a rectangular stage.
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4. 3. Internal layout The same basic structure consisted of:
a stage covered by a roof supported by two pillars and projected into a central area. The stage had no curtain.
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5. 3. Internal layout
There were three tiers of galleries around the stage where rich people sat. There was a roof to protect them
The poor people stood in the pit that had no roof. They paid a penny
The actor’s tiring house room was behind the stage.
There was no scenery and there were few props.
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6. 4. The audience The spectators ate and drank during the performance.
They freely expressed their emotions with laughter or tears.
They liked and long speeches.
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7. 4. The audience They liked strong emotions.
They loved metaphors and extremes.
They enjoyed horror and violence.
They loved chronicles and history plays with heroic deeds (strong national feeling).
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8. 5. The actors They had to vary their repertoire.
They had little time to prepare a new play.
They should have excellent memory.
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9. 6. Female roles Women couldn’t act because it was considered immoral.
Companies included some boys to play female roles until their voices broke.
Contemporary audiences found them very convincing.
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