Elizabethan Theater

How is theater of the Elizabethan Era different from theater today?

What modern day theater districts do you know of?

Theater District• Made up of 9 play houses

or theaters

• Located outside of London’s city

• Pubs

• Taverns

• Bawdy Houses or Brothels - prostitutes.

• Seedy area: pick-pockets & thieves

The Globe: Stats.•Plays produced for the general public•No Roof•Round•No artificial lighting (no electricity)

•Several sections: courtyard with pit surrounded with galleries

The Globe: Seating• Cheapest seats = standing room only

• Groundlings stood in the pit- Tickets only a PENNY!

• Royalty & patrons sat in the galleries

Advertising• Flags were

used to advertise the type of play

• They couldn’t use fliers or posters because most people were illiterate.

Today: An advertisement for the Globe

might look like this

Actors

• Vagabonds or vagrants - traveled

• Perceived a threat - spread disease

• Little time to rehearse - 3 weeks

Props, Effects, & Costumes

• Trap doors

• Pig’s blood & guts

• Harnesses & wires

• Sheets of metal

• Canons

• Elaborate costumes - royal hand-me downs

Main Patrons of the Globe

of the GlobeDo whatever you want, as long as it’s what I want.

Lord Strange Lord Chamberlain King James I Queen Elizabeth I