Theatre Flashcards
What was the initial attitude of local authorities towards travelling actors in Elizabethan England?
They considered them a threat to law and order and treated them as vagabonds.
Many local authorities aimed to punish groups of travelling actors.
Who supported groups of actors in London during Elizabethan England?
Powerful nobles, like the Earl of Leicester, provided financial and legal support.
This support allowed plays to continue being performed for the city’s population.
What was the first theatre built in Elizabethan England, and when did it open?
The Theatre, opened in 1576 by James Burbage.
It was the first theatre built since Roman times.
What were the names of two theatres that followed The Theatre?
- The Curtain (1577)
- The Rose (1587)
These theatres were built shortly after The Theatre due to its success.
What was the name of the most famous theatre that opened in 1599?
Shakespeare’s Globe.
This theatre became iconic in the history of English drama.
How did social class affect the experience of attending a theatre performance?
Entrance fees varied: * 1 penny for the pit (groundlings) * 2-3 pennies for covered galleries * Upper classes sat on stools on the stage.
Groundlings were known for being noisy and getting wet if it rained.
Who was the first famous Elizabethan playwright?
Christopher Marlowe.
He is known for works like The Jew of Malta.
What themes are explored in Marlowe’s The Jew of Malta?
Religious conflict, intrigue, and revenge.
It is also noted as the first successful black comedy.
What concerns did some Elizabethans have about the theatre?
They believed it would encourage idleness, spread disease, and create unrest.
Puritans viewed theatres as the work of the Devil.
What action did the Lord Mayor of London take regarding theatres?
He asked the Privy Council to control the theatres.
The councillors were only willing to close theatres during plague threats.
What was Queen Elizabeth I’s relationship with the theatre?
She invited actors to Court to perform plays for her.
She enjoyed the plays but was also concerned about political and religious messages.
What censorship measures were introduced in 1572?
All acting companies needed a royal licence, and play scripts had to be submitted to the Master of Revels.
This was to prevent any criticism of her government.
