WEEK 4 - THEATRES, ACTORS AND ACTING IN SHAKESPEARE’S TIME

QUESTION: What were the theatres or ‘playhouses’ of Shakespeare’s time like and how were plays staged in them?

QUESTION: Who were the actors of Shakespeare’s plays and how did the experience of being an actor differ from the experience today?

http://www.folger.edu/Content/Discover-Shakespeare/Shakespeares-Theater/

Use the Globe’s fact sheets on Actors and Playhouses

http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/education/discovery-space/fact-sheets

Question 1:

During shakespeare's time plays were not restricted to the stage, they were visitille, the same production could be put performanced at an outdoor playhouse, indoor theatre, a tour etc.  

Many of Shakespeare’s plays were performed in a playhouse theatre. In 1567 the first playhouse, the Red Lion was built,  by a John Brayne. As it was built, so long ago there isn’t a lot of facts or information about it, however it thought to be the kick start to many other playhouse opening.  

Almost 10 years later in 1576 Brayne and a man called James Burbage built the theatre, which was located just outside the city walls. This was one of the first playhouses in England since the Roman era. The structure was very similar to other playhouses of that time, it was a multi-sided structure with a central uncovered yard, this surrounded by a tiered sitting on each 3 sides, with a raised stage at one end of the yard. Shakespeare’s company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, was one of many to perform and the Theatre, around the time on 1594. A couple years down the line, the lease to the theatre was lost, so the construction of a bigger and better playhouse was built, The Globe. It Opened in 1599, and became the home of some of shakespeare’s most well known plays, the first being Julia Caesar in 1599, and others such as Hamlet, Macbeth and As you like it.

Question 2:

In shakespearean times being a professional actor was only an opportunity for men and boys, women weren’t allowed in this profession. This meant men would play all the female roles, such as, Ophelia and Desdemona. Like some actors in today’s time actors would start there training as young children. They could go one to join a company as an apprentice, and be mentored by an older actor.  The expected skill set of an actor were as follows, sword fighting, singing, dancing and a good memory for line learning.

The average day for an Shakespearean actors, is that they would perform during the afternoon as that was the best time for natural lighting,  and was spend the mornings rehearsing, however they did not have much rehearsal time. Most actors would often be in several plays with many parts at the same time. This is much unlike actors now days, they would spend several months prior to the show rehearsing the they would spend months putting on the same show, a matinee and evening performance. Now days it’s also highly unlikely they would be in more than one acting job at a time.

One of the main difference between actor in our time and in shakespearean times, is the way they learnt the part. Due to copyright issues they was not copies of the script, instead each actor was given a roll/scribe with their line and their cue line on it. However actors now will just be given a full script. This was a challenge for shakespearean actors, as it meant they always had to be alert to make sure they didn’t miss their line, and they always had to present in the moment.

WEEK 3 - SHAKESPEARE’S LONDON AND ELIZABETHAN AUDIENCES

QUESTION: What was London like in Elizabethan times and who were the people attending the theatre?

You can start by reading the ‘London’ and ‘Audiences’ factsheets on the Globe website.

http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/education/discovery-space/fact-sheets

In Elizabethan times London had a fast growing population, which was some what manageable due to its large size. The growth in population was mainly down to the high amount number of migrants moving to London from the countryside and Europe. It is estimated that between the years 1550-1600 the resident number went from 50,000 to over 200,000. During this time period London was a very built up area, if there was any available space, there was a building work happening on it, it would get some busy that you simply wouldn’t be able to walk on the streets, which brought thieves and disease.

One of the most impacting thing that happened in Elizabethan London was the outbreak of the plague. It mainly arose in the summer as the heat and over crowdedness made it easier for bacteria the speed. The biggest outbreak happened in 1593, when around 10,000 people died from it. Due to the rapid spread of the plague everyday life couldn’t continue as normal, and places such as theatres had to shut down.

London wasn’t only one of the biggest and most populated city in England it was also the richest, it housed the first permanent playhouse, which is another term for a theatre, for example The Globe. It was also home the many wealthy people such as traders and manufacturers. Elizabethan houses were known for their recognizable structures, and can still be seen in today's society, which proves how sturdy they were. They used massive upright timbers, supported by diagonal ones, which white wash walls. This created the famous black and which half-timbered Elizabethan houses.

The theatre was a big part of Elizabethan London, and was a leisurely experience enjoyed by many. Surprising the theatre was available to almost any, although generally more men went then women.  The price of the theatre varied depending your allocated viewing area. In an open air theatre the cheapest price was only 1 penny, this meant you were with the groundings, standing in the yard which was surrounding the stage. For an extra penny you could watch the performance from the bench seat in the lower gallery, again for another penny you could seat which a cushion for extra comfort.  The most expensive was in the lord’s room, which is where the rich people would sit. For this the starting price was 6 pence.  

The audience used to get involved in the performance going on, on stage, and they more often than not didn’t sit in silence. They clapped the heroes and booed the villains, and cheered the special effects, not really like theatre today where everyone is more respectful.

Thieves were also common in the audience, and sometimes even fights broke out, but . In 1612, magistrates banned music at the end of plays at the Fortune, saying the crowd had caused ‘tumults and outrages’ with their dances.

Other all the theatre was an experienced of the theatre was an enjoyable, and due to it’s variety in prices it was available to a wide range of people, which meant it was extremely popular form of entertainment.