Elizabethan Theatre

Question 1

No permenant theatres in England till 1570s (2)

Answer 1

Companies of actors travelled around performing in villiage squares/courtyard inns

First theatres built in London in 1570s e.g. the curtain & the theatre

Question 2

Why theatre become permenant (3)

Answer 2

Actors seen as threat to law & order so acts passed against them in 1572

Actors needed be more organised as needed building lisence built theatres (need certain place to act & theatre was their home)

No longer seen as vagabonds/criminals to same extent

Question 3

Play type change (2)

Answer 3

Move from religious plays (e.g. mystery plays/saint (bible story) plays to non-religious (secular) plays (e.g. commedies & tradgedies)

Happened as Elizabeth thought religious plays could cause religious violence so gov stopped them

Question 4

Elizabeths reign golden age for playwrights (7)

Answer 4

Many plays written in her reign still performed today (e.g. Shakespears plays (most famous playwright of time) e.g. macbeth)

Acting companies rellied on fund/promote performances & protect them from opponents in theatre (some even supported by privy council

Plays performed had shareholder system:
Members of companycontribute to costs & recieve share of profits
2 of most importsnt comps Admiral’s Men & Lord Chamberlain’s men (Sharkespears company)

Women weren’t allowed to act on stage so all actors male (men played female roles)

One most famous actors Richard Burbage (played lead ij many shakespears plays

Question 5

Theatre popular (3)

Answer 5

Apeal to rich & poor (tickets start at 1 pence so affordable for all)

Social groups sit in different parts of theatre so not usually mix

Elizabeth enjoyed plays but not attend public plays, had them perform in court (supported own acting company (queens men)

Question 6

Flag (2)

Answer 6

Signalled performance that day

Above the Lords

Question 7

Lords rooms (2)

Answer 7

Above stage

Most expensive

Question 8

Stage (2)

Answer 8

Where play take place

Rich people sometimes sit here

Question 9

Pillars

Answer 9

Half way over pit

Question 10

Pit/yard (5)

Answer 10

Audience called groundlings
Noisy & smelly conditions
Badly behaved (may throw things at actors
Infront of stage
Cost 1 penny

Question 11

Galleries (5)

Answer 11

Take up to 2000
Thatch roof protect them from weather
Cost 2-3 pennies
Extra penny paid for cushion
Seats that span sround the edges

Question 12

Heavens (2)

Answer 12

Roof above stage
Actors could be lowered onto stage from here

Question 13

Trapdoor (2)

Answer 13

On stage floor
Ctors could enter stage here aswell

Question 14

Trilling house (2)

Answer 14

Behind stage
Actors dress here & wait to enter

Question 15

Size

Answer 15

Some large e.g. Globe, could hold 3000