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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
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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