Shakespearean TheaterShakespearean TheaterLondon 1599London 1599

““The Play’s the Thing”The Play’s the Thing”

Basic Shakespeare Basic Shakespeare FactsFacts

• Born: April 23rd,1564

• Died: April 23rd, 1616

• Married Anne Hathaway 1582 – (he was 18, she was 26)

• They had 3 children Susanna, Hamnet and Judith (twins)--- Hamnet died as a child.

The Age of ShakespeareThe Age of Shakespeare

• He wrote from 1585-1616 during the Renaissance or the Elizabethan Age

• This time period is known for its theater and thriving literature

• Queen Elizabeth and King James of Scotland were great supporters of literature and the arts- they both supported Shakespeare during their reign

• This time period also brought economic and social growth to England

Shakespeare’s PatronsShakespeare’s Patrons

• “players” were not always greatly accepted by the cities they visited because play-acting was considered sinful by some communities.

• In 1574 players were banished from London

The Lives of ActorsThe Lives of Actors

TheatersTheaters• To get around this, James Burbage built the first

public playhouse or theater in England leading to the development of other theaters

• Shakespeare’s company performed at Burbage’s theater, until building their own

• Shakespeare (along with other company shareholders) built his theater in 1599- he called it the “Globe”- and he referred to it as the wooden “O”

• The Globe was a circular building with three levels overlooking a courtyard with a platform stage

The Wooden OThe Wooden O• Day time, outdoor

performances only• Flags were used to show

that a play was being held--black tragedy, white comedy, red history

• 1613 a cannon caught the Globe fire

• It was rebuilt in 1614• It was demolished in

1644 by the Puritans because it was immoral

The Wooden OThe Wooden O• Three main parts: the

building proper, the stage-Pit (5ft above the ground), and the tiring house-used for dressing

• Heaven, decorated with a zodiac and Hell-upper and lower trap doors

• 3 stories high• 3000 people

The CostThe Cost

• 1 shilling to stand• 2 shillings to sit in the

balcony• 6 shillings for the

galleries-Private/Lords Room

• 1 shilling was 10% of their weekly income

ActorsActors• Elaborate costumes,

but props were minimal-scene changes were announced by actors

• Characters were performed by males only-even the female parts

• Had to have great memorization skills for 2 hour long plays

CustomersCustomers• Play seekers ranged

from Queen Elizabeth I to Queen Mary (Bloody Mary) to the poorest of the land

• Acted privately for people of the highest nobility

• The audience were allowed to throw rotten food at bad actors

PlaguePlague

• The Black or Bubonic Plague killed millions throughout Europe and Asia

• Theaters were closed; however, Shakespeare presented plays for King James during this time

Flag

Trap Door

Heaven

Tiring House

Upper Stage Galleries

Stage

Inner Stage

Yard

Pillars

Entrance Foundation