Elizabethan Popular Theatre
Elizabethan Drama
Elizabethan Popular Theatre
To perform plays, new theaters were created due to high demand. Audiences included people from all social levels.
Elizabethan theaters, known as playhouses, provided social entertainment.
There were two types of performances:
- Private: Held at universities, court, and noble halls.
- Public: Took place in inn yards and playhouses.
Playhouses were the first modern theaters built during the Renaissance, primarily for entertainment and leisure.
Between 1576 and 1600, seven playhouses were built in the ‘Liberties,’ a designated area outside of London’s city limits for entertainment. This location was chosen due to Puritan opposition to theatre within the city.
One notable playhouse was The Globe, where Shakespeare’s mature plays were performed. Built in 1599, it was destroyed by fire in 1613. The Globe was hexagonal on the outside and circular in the inside. A modern reconstruction exists today, closely resembling the original.
The Globe Theatre
Shakespeare’s Globe, built in 1599 and destroyed by fire in 1613, was hexagonal on the outside and circular on the inside.
Structure of the Elizabethan Playhouse
The stage was divided into:
- Outer Stage: A large platform with three doors, a canopy, and a basement (hell).
- Inner Stage/Back Stage: The tiring house (changing room/resting area).
- Upper Stage/Heaven: A hut or turret with a flag.
Key Characteristics of Elizabethan Drama
Innovation and Experimentation
Playwrights constantly experimented with new characters and theatrical patterns. Shakespeare, for example, continually sought new ways of writing plays.
Competition and Commercial Dimension
Competition among playwrights was fierce. Money was a significant motivator, and writers like Marlowe and Shakespeare competed for popularity and financial success.
Popularity and Artistic Quality
Playwrights had to balance popular demand with artistic quality. There was a strong connection between writers and audiences, and success depended on adapting plays to public taste. The demand for new plays was high, with audiences wanting fresh material constantly.
Collaboration
Collaboration between playwrights was common. Even established writers like Shakespeare collaborated with others, combining their originality to create new works.
Strong Puritan Opposition
Puritans viewed theatre as immoral and sought to suppress it. As a powerful political force, they published pamphlets condemning theatre and actors. This opposition led to occasional theatre closures.