Theatres And Their Opponents Flashcards
What were ‘miracle plays’ and why were they banned?
‘Miracle plays’ were performed on carts and showed scenes from the Bible. They were banned because they were seen as a Catholic tradition
Why did actors have to be part of an established company with a noble patron?
Roaming actors could be arrested as vagabonds so needed to be part of a company
When and where did ‘The Theatre’ open?
‘The Theatre’ opened in Shoreditch, just outside London’s walls, in 1576
In 1599, ‘The Theatre’ was dismantled beam by beam and rebuilt on backside as _____ _________
In 1599, ‘The Theatre’ was dismantled beam by beam and rebuilt on backside as ‘The Globe’
Name a popular Elizabethan playwright
William Shakespeare
Why was the Theatre enjoyed by all sections of society?
Standing tickets were cheap and those who were wealthier could pay for more exclusive seats, higher up in the building
Why were plays popular?
There were a wide variety of themes, which appealed to a large audience. Themes included: kingship, magic, superstition, love, cruelty, violence, exportation and the Renaissance
When were plays performed?
Plays were performed in the afternoon, as there was no artificial lighting
Where did the poor stand?
The poor stood in the pit and were known as groundlings. They paid a penny to enter
How did people know that plays would begin?
A trumpeter and a flag warned people that the performance was about to begin
Where did the wealthy sit?
The wealthy paid extra to sit in the galleries. This was covered seating for 2,000 richer citizens
Who opposed the theatre?
London authorities
Puritan preachers
Why did London authorities oppose the theatre?
- Feared it attracted rogues, thieves and prostitutes who would commit crime and spread the Plague
- Claimed it enticed servants and apprentices away from work
- Feared that disorder in the suburbs of Bankside and Shoreditch might spread into the city
Why did Puritan preachers oppose the theatre?
- Puritanism was strong in London and the theatre was seen as pagan (a non-Christian set of beliefs)
- Theatres reminded Puritans of Catholic miracle plays
- Thought theatregoing and plays encouraged sinful behaviour, particularly sex outside of marriage
