1. Where about in London were the Theatres located? Why?
In the "Liberties ",
outside the City walls and on the south bank of the river , called Southwark. Because
the City Council (guilds) together with the Puritans did not approve of the
playhouses.
2. Name the most important theatres during Elizabethan times.
Fortune, Globe , Hope, Red Bull ,
Rose, Swan , Theatre & the
Whitefriars Theatre
3. Which was the first playhouse in London ? Who built it ?
The Theatre was the first public
playhouse of London, located in the parish of St. Leonard's, Shoreditch. It was
designed and built by James Burbage (the father of actor Richard Burbage).
4. When was it built ? When was it closed ?
It opened in 1576. After the death
of James Burbage in February 1597, the theatre's lease ended. In 1598 the
building was dismantled.
5. Describe the particular shape of the theatres . Where did they take
this shape from?
The theatres were circular, open-air
buildings, surrounded an open yard (like the Inn-Yards) with the stage at one
end, jutting out into the audience to about half the depth of the theatre; the
width was considerably more.
The original Theatre was designed in
a mix of traditions. Its name drew attention to the Roman theatre tradition.
6. Who controlled the performances on behalf of the government?
The person who controlled the
performances of plays on behalf of the government was the Master of Revels.In
the 1590s this was a man called Edmund Tilney.
7. Why could the theatres be closed down ?
Playhouses could be closed for many
reasons, among them outbreaks of the plague, sedition and immorality, which
would certainly have included women appearing on stage.
8. Who played the parts of women on stage ? Why ?
Young men , as it was thought
immoral for women to act in plays , even to attend the playhouses.
9. Did women attend the theatre?
Yes, women did attend the theatre
although this was not formally approved of. In fact, every level of society
went to the plays including apprentices, law students, craftsmen, pickpockets,
ballad sellers, merchants and nobility.
Even legend says Queen Elizabeth
attended the Globe secretly some times.
10. How much did it cost to stand in the yard? And to sit in a gallery?
And to have a cushion? And to sit in the lords’ room ?
It cost one penny to stand in the
yard of the playhouse and a further penny for a seat in one of the covered
galleries. A cushion to make watching the play more comfortable cost a further
penny and a seat in the Lords' room cost approximately sixpence.
To stand in the yard - One penny
To sit in the gallery - Two pennies
To have a cushion - Three pennies
To sit in the Lords' room - Sixpence
