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Shakespeare’s time
(last part of the 16th and the early 17th century).
Shakespeare’s London
The Globe Theatre
What did the City fathers think of
theatres?
Authorities thought theatre had a bad
influence on people because:
They encouraged working people to idleness and
taking time off from their work.
They kept them from going to church.
They influenced immoral behaviour, particularly
women!
Since people gathered together in a small space, the
plague could easily spread.
What did Queen Elilzabeth think of
theatres?
Queen Elizabeth, on the other hand, loved
watching plays and helped the theatre
become popular.
What happened in areas around
theatres?
As time went on more and more popular
theatres emerged outside city walls. This was
considered an unsafe area with crime and
prostitution.
How was the structure of theatres?
1. Theatres were open arenas that had room for up to three
thousand people.
2. They were structures made mainly of wood.
3.There was no heating and actors got wet when it rained.
4. The stage was higher and there was an open pit in front of it
where most of the people could stand in.
5. The performances took place in the afternoon
because it was too dark at night.
Who was the audience in London
theatres?
The theatre in Shakespeare’s time was much
different than it is today.
Authors wrote plays for the masses, especially
those who couldn’t read or write. But every
level of society went to the plays.
Where did the audience sit?
How did it cost?
The Lower Classes, the Commoners,
were called “the Groundlings” or
“Stinkards”, and would have stood in
the theatre pit and paid 1 penny
entrance fee.
The Nobles - Upper Class Nobles would
have paid for the better seats in the Lord's
rooms paying 5 pennies for the privilege.
They sat in the covered galleries.
A cushion to make watching the play more
comfortable cost a further penny.
During the performance…
Shakespeare’s theatre was full of life.
People did not sit all the time and it was not quiet
during the performance.
The audience could walk around, eat and drink
during the play. They cheered, booed and
sometimes even threw objects at the actors.
How was the scenery?
There was almost no scenery because the
dialogue was the most important part of the
play.
How were the actors’ costumes?
Colourful and well-designed costumes were very
important and told the people about the status of a
character.
What about women in plays?
Women never performed in plays (because it was
immoral) so young boys played female characters.
Women could attend the theatre although this was not
formally approved.