The Elizabethan theatre
At the beginning of the 16th century many plays were based upon religious themes. These were called 鈥榤orality plays鈥 and showed good and bad conduct. Others, called 鈥榤iracle plays鈥 showed scenes from the Bible.
The main exception to this were the plays put on by wandering groups of actors, known as 鈥榮trolling players鈥. The plays put on by these groups were often far from religious and the authorities tried to ban them.
The themes of plays changed during Elizabeth鈥檚 reign and English playwrights began to write comedies and tragedies. By the end of her reign playwrights such as Marlowe, Johnson and Shakespeare were writing the plays for which they are now famous.
As the watching of plays became more popular, theatres were built instead of using the courtyards of inns. The popularity of stage plays led to the building of the Rose, Swan and Globe Theatres in London between 1587 and 1598.
The main features of an Elizabethan theatre
- The theatre was open and plays had to be performed in daylight.
- A flag would be flown from the top of the theatre to show a play was going to be performed.
- People sat around the stage in galleries.
- The cheapest place was in front of the stage where ordinary people stood. They were known as 鈥榞谤辞耻苍诲濒颈苍驳蝉鈥.
- There was very little scenery 鈥 a character would tell the audience where the scene was set.
- Women鈥檚 parts were played by boys.
- Long speeches gave actors a chance to change their clothes.
- There was generally plenty of violence in the plays 鈥 Tudor audiences loved it.