English Renaissance Theatre

Lasted from the first tragedy written in blank verse in 1561 to 1642 when theaters were shut down by Parliament

Theatrical life was centered in London but there were also touring companies throughout

England and Europe

Plays were performed in repertoryThe same play was almost never performed two days in a row and rarely even twice a weekInstead, a company would have as many as 20 plays in rotation and would perform a different play each night with the same company of actors

Actors were only male Young men between the ages of 10-20 played all of the female roles and were apprentices in the company

Performers were working class and were considered just slightly better than vagabonds and wanderers

English Renaissance Theater StructuresTheatres from the period were three stories high and with a large open area in the center - the PitWealthy patrons sat higher up and commoners (poor people) could pay 1 penny to stand in the Pit The people standing in the Pit were called “Groundlings”

The first theatre was named “Theatre”!Other famous theatres: The Globe Theatre – Shakespeare’s TheatreThe RoseThe CurtainThe Red Bull

The Globe Theatre

Going to the theatre was a part of daily lifeMen and women both went, although wealthy women sometimes wore masks to hide their facesAudiences shouted, threw fruit and tried to climb on stage

Costumes were mostly modern dressSets were very minimalBecause there was no artificial lighting, plays were performed in the afternoonTime and place were communicated instead through “verbal scene painting” (i.e. describing location, weather, time of day)

Verbal Scene Painting

Hamlet

BERNARDO'Tis now struck twelve; get thee to bed, Francisco.

FRANCISCOFor this relief much thanks: 'tis bitter cold,

And I am sick at heart.

Playwrights

Thomas Kyd – Wrote The Spanish Tragedy, the most popular play of the era

Christopher Marlowe – Wrote Dr. Faustus, wrote a book with criticized the bible which brought him under suspicion of the court, killed in a bar fight (paid government assassins?)

Ben Jonson – Also an actor, buddies with Shakespeare, killed another actor in a duel , often kicked out of court for bad behavior

Shakespeare’s Early Life

Born April 23 1564 in Stratford-Upon AvonParents were initially wealthy and respected but then fell on hard timesShakespeare probably went to school (focusing on Latin) until age 14 or 15 At 18, married Anne Hathaway who was 26 and pregnantHad three children: Susanna and twins Judith and Hamnet

Shakespeare in London

Moved to London and became an actor and playwright (not much is known of his life for about 10 years) In 1594, Shakespeare became a founding member, actor, playwright and shareholder of the Lord Chamberlain's Men (a theatre company)Wrote 40 plays and was a favorite at courtWas a very good businessman and amassed wealth and propertyDied on April 23rd (his birthday) in 16167 years after his death, two of his actors publish his plays

The rising Puritan movement was hostile toward theatre, as they felt that entertainment was sinfulIn 1642, The Parliament banned all plays to “appease and avert the Wrath of God”Theatres remained closed for 18 years, until the monarchy was restored in 1660The period that followed is called The RestorationMany nobles fled to France during Puritan rule and came back with sophisticated tastes

Restoration Comedy