The Elizabethan theater were primitive concerns, large wooden sheds, partly cover of roof with material and rushes, a flagpole on the roof, and enclosed by a long, narrow ditch. They gave rise to a good deal of vexation to quiet citizens in the neighborhood. Around these play-houses in the afternoons, the narrow winding streets were so crowded by noisy, frivolous groups of people that business suffered in the shops, processions and funerals were thwarted, and continuous causes of complaint happened.In spite of objections by the residents and the Puritans, theater multiplied rapidly. In 1633 there were nineteen permanent theaters in London which for a town of 300,000 inhabitants sufficiently indicate the keen interest taken in the drama.

Two Types of Theaters:

The private theaters were designed on the model of the Guild Halls ; These were were more comfortable, being fully decorated, ornamented and seated. In the public theaters, the auditorium, as in ancient Greece, was open to the sky, only the stage being roofed but not being seated. Thus the pleasure of seeing the play in the bad weather was marred.

There were no tickets. An amount of five pence in modem reckoning admitted a customer to standing room in the yard.

Rich spectators watched the performances from boxes on each side of the stage, paying about twelve shillings for the privilege (VIP) of a seat. In an upper box was the orchestra of the Globe theater, the largest in London, composed of ten performers with different instruments.

The fashionable part of the house was on the stage itself. There sat the royal families of the Essex and Southampton, with their friends and relatives.. Most important of all from our point of were the shorthand writers, in the pay of piratical booksellers, o took down the dialogue, under presence of criticizing it, and is preserved for posterity many play that otherwise would have been lost. There was a perpetual chatter of conversation between the fashionable spectators on the stage, interspersed with calls for drinks, and lights for their pipes. Smoking went on throughout the performance. The actors and the audience, however, accepted these interruptions without much protest.

You Must Know The Important Aspects Of Elizabethan Theater.

A trumpet-blast started the performance. Then came the prologue, spoken by an actor in a long black coat. The performance of a tragedy was signalized by draping the stage with black ; for a comedy, blue hangings were substitute d A placard, hung upon one f the stage doors,. With the change of scene, the placard was changed. To keep up the spirits of the audience, there was a jester to dance between the acts.

No women ever appeared on the stage, and very few women went to see the performances. IT was far too rough a place or decent women.

The Queen called the players to Court on special occasions; and Shakespeare’s company often gave a Command” performance. Hence in some of the plays like Midsummer Night Dream and The Merchant of Venice flattering allusions are made for the benefit of the Queen.

The stage consisted of a bare platform, with a curtain across the middle, separating the front from the rear stage. On the rear stage, suspense scenes or characters were performed to the audience by simply drawing the curtain aside. The actors had to be realistic enough to make the audience forget its shabby surroundings. By Shakespeare’s day, however, painted scenery had appeared as great role in every play. Thus the stage was no longer colorless or dull. It was hung with tapestries and curtains which affected the emotional response of the audience.

The actors wore splendid clothes, largely inherited from noblemen; music, fireworks, guns and thunder were all used to suggest atmosphere and to give color to eye and ear. There were contrivances for descents from heaven and for mounting aloft; there was the spectacle of processions and tableau, and there were properties which could be used to perform imaginary scenes. The audience was expected to imagine a lot, and to respond to an aesthetic experience as the result of seeing a stage and the properties representing imaginary scenes in which actors created character and incident by making the words of an author come alive.

The Golden Age of Drama: Elizabethan Theatre History and Its Defining Characteristics

The Elizabethan era, named after Queen Elizabeth I who reigned from 1558 to 1603, was a time of cultural flourishing in England. Among its most celebrated accomplishments was the rise of English theatre, especially the form that came to be known as Elizabethan theatre. This period gave birth to iconic playwrights like William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe and laid the foundation for modern drama. Let’s dive into the history of Elizabethan theatre and uncover what made it so distinctive.

🌟 Elizabethan Theatre History: A Cultural Renaissance

1. Origins and Influences

Elizabethan theatre did not emerge in isolation. It evolved from medieval mystery plays and morality plays that were typically performed in churches or marketplaces. These early forms were didactic, aimed at teaching Christian values. However, by the late 15th century, public interest began shifting toward more secular and entertaining forms of drama.

2. Patronage and Protection

The support of the monarchy and noble patrons was essential for the theatre’s growth. Queen Elizabeth I herself was a lover of drama. Her support provided legitimacy to theatrical performances, helping to elevate drama as a respected art form. Playwrights often sought the patronage of nobles to protect their companies from censorship and legal challenges.

3. The Rise of Professional Playhouses

The late 16th century saw the construction of the first permanent theatres in England. Key venues included:

The Theatre (1576) – built by James Burbage, it was the first permanent playhouse in London.
The Curtain Theatre (1577)
The Rose (1587)
The Globe Theatre (1599) – associated with Shakespeare’s company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men.

These theatres marked a major transition from makeshift stages to permanent, professional venues that could host paying audiences.

4. Playwrights and Drama Explosion

This period birthed legendary playwrights such as:

William Shakespeare – Arguably the most influential writer in the English language.
Christopher Marlowe – Known for Doctor Faustus and Tamburlaine.
Ben Jonson – A master of satire and comedy.
Thomas Kyd – Author of The Spanish Tragedy, a precursor to the revenge tragedy genre.

Their works explored complex themes like love, ambition, betrayal, and political power, making theatre a central part of Elizabethan culture.

🎭 Elizabethan Theatre Characteristics

Elizabethan theatre had unique traits that set it apart from both earlier and later dramatic traditions. Below are the defining features:

1. Open-Air Amphitheatres

Most Elizabethan theatres were open-air with circular or octagonal shapes. The stage projected into a yard where the “groundlings” (commoners) stood to watch the play, while wealthier patrons sat in galleries under a roof.

2. Minimal Scenery, Maximum Imagination

There was little to no scenery on stage. Instead, the dialogue and costumes did the heavy lifting. Audiences were expected to use their imagination, aided by the poetic richness of the language.

3. All-Male Casts

Women were not allowed to perform, so young boys played female roles. This led to interesting dynamics, especially in romantic or tragic scenes.

4. Costumes Over Sets

Since scenery was minimal, costumes were lavish and historically inaccurate, often reflecting Elizabethan fashion rather than the actual time period of the play.

5. Interactive Audiences

Theatres were lively places. The audience was vocal and reactive, often cheering, booing, or throwing food. Playwrights had to craft compelling narratives that held attention from start to finish.

6. Blank Verse and Iambic Pentameter

Elizabethan playwrights favored blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter). This poetic form allowed for a natural rhythm while maintaining a sense of elegance and drama.

7. Themes and Genres

Elizabethan plays covered a wide range of themes:

History plays dramatized the lives of English kings (Richard III, Henry IV).
Tragedies explored fate and human flaws (Hamlet, Macbeth).
Comedies involved mistaken identities, love triangles, and happy endings (Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing).

8. Breaking the Fourth Wall

Characters often addressed the audience directly, especially in soliloquies or asides, breaking the illusion of the “fourth wall” and creating a more intimate connection.

Legacy of Elizabethan Theatre

Elizabethan theatre left an indelible mark on the world. It gave rise to a golden age of English drama and continues to influence modern storytelling, acting, and stagecraft. The Globe Theatre has even been rebuilt in London and serves as a vibrant center for Shakespearean performance today.

Five Facts About Elizabethan Theater