1. Renaissance Theatre

2. Renaissance = “rebirth” of art and learning; began in Italy in the 1300s and spread throughout Europe
(1300s – 1600s)

3. The Renaissance
Roman Catholic Church has lost much of its power and influence
Less emphasis on “religion,” more emphasis on man = humanism

4. The Renaissance
Important for people to be educated and well-rounded (“renaissance man”)
Renewed interest in Greek and Roman influence
Invention of the printing press (Gutenberg) allows more people to read and gain access to publications (i.e. Aristotle’s The Poetics)

5. Some People of the Renaissance…
Da Vinci
Michelangelo
Shakespeare
Galileo
Columbus

6. Theatre During the Renaissance

7. Italian Renaissance Theatre
Theatres are indoors (for wealthy).
The proscenium and proscenium arch develop.
Moving scenery (chariot and pole; shutter and groove –like sliding doors)

10. Italian Renaissance Theatre
A scenographer was someone who designed everything from scenery to costumes
Actors were male and female

11. Italian Renaissance Theatre
Court masques
written for the wealthy and nobility; often performed in their homes
music, poetry, dance
extravagant scenery and costumes; special effects

13. Italian Renaissance Theatre
Other types of public (but expensive plays)
Comedy
Tragedy (heroic)
Intermezzi
Based on mythology
Extravagant costumes and scenery
Chorus
Evolved into opera

14. Italian Renaissance Theatre
Commedia dell’arte
The common person’s theatre
Improvised comedy
Very physical and often sexual
Based on scenarios
Used stock characters
Slapstick comedy

15. Commedia dell’arte Not much is known about how it began
Clearly inspired by two ancient Roman writers of comedy: Plautus and Terence.

16. Commedia dell’arte Usually 10-12 actors per troupe (male and female)
Quick and witty
Acrobatic, or at least able to do physical comedy

17. Commedia dell’arte Actors are given a scenario
They improvise the dialogue

18. Commedia dell’arte Slapstick comedy Pratfall Double-take Spit-take
Exaggerated action and violence

19. Commedia dell’arte
Another major element of Commedia is the use of stock characters.
A stock character is
a stereotype of a person
recognized by audience immediately

20. What “types” of characters do you recognize here?

22. Commedia dell’arte
In Commedia, stock characters are identified by their costumes and masks; they are “types” of people that we still see today

23. Commedia dell’arte Innamorati Young lovers Wealthy and attractive
                                                                             
Innamorati
Young lovers
Wealthy and attractive
Do not wear masks

24. Commedia dell’arte The Masters Pantalone Greedy, sour old man Dottore
Doctor who is clueless
Likes to hear himself talk
Capitano
Usually Spanish
Bragging soldier and coward
Driven by sex
A loner

25. Commedia dell’arte Zanni (the Servants/Workers) Arlecchino
Rascal servant
Also called Harlequin
Carries slapstick; very physical
Columbina
Clever servant
Sometimes Arlecchino’s mistress
Flirtatious but very smart

26. Commedia dell’arte Brighella Cunning, looks out only for himself
Usually a high-ranking servant or tavern owner (worked hard to get there)
Pulcinello
Cruel servant
Often pretends to be stupid
becomes “Punch”
Scaramouche
Buffoon; boastful clown

27. Commedia dell’arte

28. The English Renaissance
Sometimes referred to as the Elizabethan Age or “the Golden Age” of England
Queen Elizabeth I ruled from 1558 to (Henry VIII; Bloody Mary)

29. The English Renaissance
For years, England was divided by religious unrest
When Elizabeth I came to the throne in 1558, she had to deal with this
Eventually government banned religious theatre
Licensing Acts of 1559 – allowed for theatre under governmental control

30. Development of English Renaissance Theatre
Actors had a bad reputation – vagabonds and thieves
During Bubonic Plague, regulations restricted travel—had to have a license

31. Development of English Renaissance Theatre
Entertainers also needed licenses
English noblemen would buy licenses for their group of actors (acting troupe or company) – this protected them from harsh laws
The nobleman was their patron, and they performed to please him

32. Development of English Renaissance Theatre
Sometime acting companies/troupes would perform in courtyards of inns and taverns (inn-yards)

33. English Renaissance Theatre
Private theatre
For the wealthy and nobility
Indoors, candlelight, expensive
By invitation only
Organized by the Master of Revels
Resembled proscenium stages in Italy
Often performed court masques

34. Development of English Renaissance Theatre
Then there were 9 public theatres*
The Rose -The Fortune
The Globe -The Theatre
The Swan -The Hope
The Curtain -and 2 others…
*The theaters were built outside London city limits; flag announced play
*All built in a similar style

35. Development of English Renaissance Theatre
The first permanent public theatre in England was built in It was called the Theatre.
The design of it and other theatres was inspired by the Greek and Roman amphitheaters.

37. Famous Playwrights from the English Renaissance
Christopher Marlowe
Thomas Kyd
Ben Jonson
But probably the most well-known was, yep, William Shakespeare!

38. English Renaissance Theatre
Types of plays popular during this time period:
Comedies
Tragedies
History Plays

39. English Renaissance Theatre
only men and boys were allowed onstage
young boys whose voices had not changed played women’s roles
it would have been considered indecent for a woman to appear on stage

40. English Renaissance Theatre
no scenery—depended on language to set the scene
elaborate costumes (actor’s responsibility; often hand-me-downs from the wealthy)
open roofs—dependent on daylight and good weather!

41. English Renaissance Theatre
Audience size = about 2,000-2,500
general admission = 1 Penny entitled a spectator to be a “groundling” (someone who could stand in the yard/pit)
more expensive seats were in the roofed galleries

42. The Globe Theatre

43. The Globe Theatre
built in 1599 on the banks of the Thames River in Southwark, London (built from pieces of The Theatre!)
Shakespeare was part owner; many of his plays were performed here
His acting company was the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (and then the King’s Men)

44. flag
tiring house
heavens
hell
trap door
galleries
pit

45. The Globe Theatre
Burned to ground in 1613; rebuilt but then destroyed in 1644
A brand new Globe was built in 1997, close to the original location

46. The English Renaissance
Especially during the rule of Elizabeth I, England was a great nation
Elizabeth I helped to make theatre popular and appreciated in England
Theatre was England’s greatest contribution to the Renaissance
Theatre continued to evolve in England until Oliver Cromwell came along…BOO, OLIVER CROMWELL!!!