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Elizabethan Theatre. By Amy Engle. A Brief History. Began as “Inn-yards” The first theatre, “The Theatre,” was made by James Burbage in 1576 The theatre business soon become popular, allowing for an increase in playwrights and new plays. Typical Theatre Description.
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Elizabethan Theatre By Amy Engle
A Brief History • Began as “Inn-yards” • The first theatre, “The Theatre,” was made by James Burbage in 1576 • The theatre business soon become popular, allowing for an increase in playwrights and new plays
Typical Theatre Description • Octagonal or circular amphitheatre • Walls made of timber and stone, thatched roofs • Lighted by sun, and at times candles • Open area called pit, or “yard” • Stage was 3-5 feet above the ground and took up about half the pit • House-like structure on back of stage
More Descriptions • Box Office for money boxes • Trapdoor • “Heavens” using ropes and rigging • One entrance • Staircases on either side of the theatre • Three tiers with three rows of wooden seats • No toilet facilities
The Audience • Every one paid penny to enter • An extra penny was paid at foot of stairs for balcony seats • Groundings or “stinkards” stood in the pit • Capacity: 1500-3000 people
Costumes • Actors wore clothing of their own time • The quick turnover left little time to create new costumes for every play • Each color had its own meaning: a character could walk on stage and the audience would know a bit of information about him
Playhouses • Indoor halls (winter plays) • More exclusive since it cost more (2-26 pennies) • More money=more comfortable seats • More luxurious • Scenery is introduced • Lighted by candles • Hold 500 people
Other Facts • It took around 6 months to construct a theatre • Theatres were also used for bear bating, gambling, and other immoral activities • They were closed during the outbreak of the plague • Music was added in the 1600s • The Puritans abhorred the theatre
Work Cited • Elizabethan Costume. Elizabethan Era. Web. Oct. 23, 2010. • Elizabethan Playhouses. Elizabethan Era. Web. Oct. 23, 2010. • Elizabethan Theatres. Elizabethan Era. Web. Oct. 23, 2010. • Elizabethan Theatre Facts. Globe Theatre. Web. Oct. 23, 2010. • Frampton. “Typical Elizabethan Theatre.” Image. Yuzbick, David. Elizabethan Stage: A • Wonderful Space of Infinite Possibility.WikiSpaces. Web. Oct. 23, 2010. • Maps and Sites of Elizabethan Theatre. Elizabethan Era. Oct. 23, 2010. • Whimpey, Jim. The Theatre. WordPress. Web. Oct. 23, 2010.