1604 – law passed saying only royalty can form an acting troupe› Queen Elizabeth: 4-5 plays/year› James (cousin): 17 plays/year› Prince Charles: 25 plays/year

Earl of Licester’s Men (pronounced Lester)

› Led by James Burbage The Lord Admiral’s Men

Earl of Licester’s Men (pronounced Lester)› Led by James Burbage

Best Producer/Manager of the time› Used a theatre called “The Theatre”

The Lord Admiral’s Men› Led by Henslowe› Plays by Christopher Marlowe› Lead actor was Edward Alleyn

The Lord Chamberlain’s Men (The King’s Men)› Led by James Burbage› Plays by Shakespeare› Lead actor was Richard Burbage (James’ son)› Comic actor was Will Kempe

The Chapel Boys› Later called “The Queen’s Revels”

The Beasten Boys› Led by Beasten

Many playwrights write plays for the children’s companies, but not Shakespeare.

Shareholder› As Shareholder in the Globe, Shakespeare

made 50 pounds/year Hired Men

› On contract for 1-2 years; 5 pounds/year Apprentices

› From 6 to 14 years old› Played young women until their voice changes

Either change profession or play men afterwards› Paid with room and board

Older/Comic women played by adult men Prompters fed actor’s their lines

The Theatre (Burbage)› First permanent outdoor theatre

The Blackfriars (Burbage)› first permanent indoor theatre

The Globe (Burbage)› Burnt down and rebuilt many times

The Swan, The Rose, The Hope, The Swan, The Bear Garden

Most of London is on the East Bank of the Thames, but most of the theatres are on the West bank.

The Globe Theatre (1599-1613)› Burnt down during a performance of Henry

VIII The Second Globe (1614-1644)

› Burnt down during the reformation The Third Globe (1980s-present)

Plays started at 2 in the afternoon to catch the daylight, and performed without intermission.

FLOOR SEAT BOX

Outdoor 1p 2p 3p

Indoor 6p ? Up to 46p

The Queen would attend indoor theatres, but not outdoor ones.

Goodies would be sold to people standing in the pit, called “Groundlings.”

5 types of costumes:› Ancient

anything older/out of style› Antique

Classical – togas over clothes› Fanciful

Ghosts, Sprites, Witches, Gods› Traditional

Robin Hood, Tambourlaine Richard III› National/Racial

Moors wore turbans, Jews had red beards, Spaniards wore all black

Famous Scene Designer› Very minimal sets

a branch represents a forest

Stressed the importance of stage combat, music, and dance in performances