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Dive into the golden age of theater during Shakespeare’s time in the Elizabethan era, exploring the patronage of Queen Elizabeth I, the dynamics of acting companies, the iconic Globe Theater, and the enduring legacy of this theatrical period.
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The Theater During Shakespeare’s Time
Elizabethan Theater • Called this to honor the queen, Queen Elizabeth I • She loved art, music, drama, and poetry • She was a patron of the arts • A patron is a rich citizen of high rank who backed an acting company • She liked Shakespeare’s plays and protected him
Important People to the Theater • The “Master of Revels” was the official censor of plays • He approved or censored content • A patron sponsored an acting company • Acting companies had to be sponsored by a patron
The Globe Theater • Built in 1599 • In Southwark (near London) • Shakespeare was a part owner • Burned down in 1613 • Rebuilt in 1614 • Torn down in 1644 by the Puritans
The Globe • Octagonal shape • Unroofed yard in the center • Audience members who paid a penny and stood in the yard to watch a performance were called groundlings • Seating capacity of 3000
Parts of the Globe Yard (where groundlings stood) Permanent Door (stage entrance and exit) Platform (main acting area)
Performances • Held in the afternoon (2:00) • A flag would be hoisted on the day of a performance • The start was signaled by a trumpet sounding 3 times
Acting Companies • Consisted of 25-30 actors • Female roles played by boys • Each company had a clown for comic relief • Plays were written with actors and their abilities in mind
Staging and Scenery • Most plays lasted two hours • There was little interruption because scenery wasn’t used • Did use some props (lanterns) • Setting was established with words
Costumes • Were colorful and expensive • Usually donated by rich patrons
Costumes • Would establish a character’s status (wealthy, poor, soldier, king, etc.) • Was symbolic of a character’s morality • White = purity • Black = evil • Red = violence, blood
The Closing of the Theaters • Puritans closed down the playhouses in 1644 • They believed actors were evil and immoral
The New Globe Theater • 45 million dollar reconstruction • Opened in 1997