Elizabethan Theatre in Shakespeare's Time

Introduction to Elizabethan Theatre

• Time Travel Setting: The lecture is set in London, 1600, exploring theatre during Shakespeare's era.
• Shakespeare's Career: At this time, Shakespeare is in his late 30s and has co-founded the Lord Chamberlain's Men, a leading acting company.
• The Globe Theatre: Recently established, the Globe becomes a central landmark for plays.

Early Theatre in London

• Lack of Theatres: 25 years prior, London had no dedicated theatres.
• Inn Performances: Larger inns like the Boar's Head Inn hosted plays to boost sales, with actors performing for collections from the audience.

James Burbage's Impact

• Burbage's Contribution: Known as the father of the English theatre, Burbage, a carpenter, created 'The Theatre' inspired by Roman models and bear baiting arenas.
• The Theatre: Accommodated about 2000 people, paving the way for modern English theatre.

The Growth of Theatre Industry

• Popularity and Challenges: By 1600, several theatres existed, but they faced opposition due to attracting criminal activity and health concerns.
• Health Concerns: The plague prompted closures of theatres to contain outbreaks.

Opposition to Theatre

• Moral Opposition: Puritans criticized theatres on moral grounds, opposing the portrayal of roles by actors.
• Economic Success: Despite opposition, successful companies like the Lord Chamberlain's Men thrived financially, earning significant profits.

Theatre Operations

• Admission Fees: Penny admission allowed standing room, while tiered seating required additional payment.
• Performance Schedule: Frequent rotation of plays attracted repeat audiences, with companies performing numerous plays each year.

Rise of Professional Writing

• New Demand for Plays: High demand for new plays led to the emergence of professional playwrights.
• The University Wits: Early playwrights, often university-educated, wrote grand tragedies with rhetorical style.
• Shakespeare's Role: Despite being labeled an upstart by contemporaries, Shakespeare's works gained prominence.

Cultural Impact of Theatre

• Cultural Renaissance or Idle Entertainment?: The debate on theatre's value ranged from high literary expression to mere entertainment.
• Societal Influence: Theatre helped shape national identity and reflected societal changes, like the evolving roles in society.

Conclusion

• Reflection on Identity: Theatre questioned and reflected the changing nature of identity and society in Elizabethan England.
• Famous Quote: Shakespeare's "All the world's a stage" summarizes the fluidity of roles and identities.

• Reflection Question: How do you perceive the world as a stage, and what roles will you play?