Elizabethan Theathre

A detailed Summary of Elizabethan Theathre

Drama and theatrical presentation in Elizabethan England is not acknowledged and remembered today because of individual plays, but for the physical plant itself, its facilities, social attendance, general themes, and writers of the time. Plays were important and vital to the time period, but the playhouse and factors surrounding it, really characterize the Elizabethan period. Writers and actors alike all play an important part in the theatre, and very important is the structure of the playhouses.

By far the most famous, or better-said, well known theatre of Elizabethan theatre has to be the Globe. The Globe influenced and affected all other playhouses of the time. One reason that the Globe is so famous is because of the close connection with Shakespeare. Once the Globe opened its design and equipment were so good, that it surpassed all its rivals. Within a period of five years all other theatres of its type had to be closed or replaced. In short the Globe playhouse witness and helped create the essence of the Elizabethan theatre.

The shapes and dimensions of Elizabethan theatres were strongly influenced by the shape, size and structure of the playhouse as a whole. On thing that is extremely impo

One aspect of the theatre, which is sometimes overlooked, but indeed important, is the stage curtain. The playhouse curtains in Elizabethan theatre specifically were suspended from a fixed rod upon which the sections were caused to move laterally. Evidence concerning the mechanical details of this suspension is few. Some sources do explain that ironwork was used to hand the curtains and a whole piece of cord to draw the actual strings. The material used was very valuable (rod, rings, actual curtain) and very sturdy. Curtains were adopted from performances of mystery in England and France. The colors were various, but the most popular colors were green and yellow. Designs were sometime engraved into the curtains, usually the curtains made out of silk, rather than harsh tapestry. Flanking the lower-stage curtains and placed in the oblique walls of the theatre were the outer-stage doors, which really seemed abundant and not necessary.

Elizabethan drama is remembered so vividly and respectfully for a number of reasons. One being that so much work and effort was penetrated into each and every play that was acted. Another one being that the playhouses themselves lent to such good stage directions and maneuvering of actors. One very important reason is because of how it attracted all types of people. Plays were not restricted to one kind of people. The lower class and middle class alike loved going to watch plays. Royalty was also a big part of Elizabethan drama. Not only was royalty portrayed in plays, but also it was very affectionate with the theatre and supported it.

One way to view the accommodations is to basically list them and compare them as a whole to the theatre. The actual stage is the first accommodation, then the gentlemen's room, the two-penny rooms, and the two-penny galleries, and the yard. The is no contemporary estimate for the exact capacity of a Elizabethan theatre, but it is noted that the Swan playhouse supposedly was able to accommodate 3,000 people. Compared to the whole theatre, the two-penny rooms are the biggest ones. And although the biggest it wasn't the greatest accommodation.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Shakespeare Globe, England France, Civil War, Overall Elizabethan, John Lyly, Elizabethan England, Juliet Elizabethan, Royalty Elizabethan, Shakespeare Shakespeare, Globe Globe, elizabethan theatre, elizabethan drama, lower class, stage directions, playhouses usually, dropped penny, size mechanical, octagonal shape, writers plays, playhouse flag,

Approximate Word count = 2077
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English