Drama and theaters

Welcome

Let’s start exploring theatres!

Trace the history of theatres from Roman amphitheatres through the centuries to twentieth century designs and beyond World War II theatrical institutions.
Be inspired by the drama of a theatre building. Discover the varied styles of theatre decoration, from Jacobean detailing to twenty-first century façades.
Uncover the different types of stages and auditoria that contribute to the feel and scope of the theatre and its productions.
Find out exactly what makes a theatre. The auditorium may be the focal point of a theatre, but from front of house areas to backstage facilities, all areas support the efforts of those creating the production.
Have you ever thought about the people whose job takes them into the world of theatres, why not find out about who works in a theatre?

Shakespeare's or Elizabethan Era

William Shakespeare

Short Biography of the life of William Shakespeare - Poet, Playwright, Dramatist and Actor

The early life of William Shakespeare was filled with mystery due to the lack of documented facts about the early years of the great Bard. He was born in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1564 - the exact date has only been estimated as April 23. John Shakespeare and Mary Arden were the parents of Shakespeare. William was the third of eight children, although the two born before him had died possibly of the Bubonic plague. At least two more of his siblings died of the plague which Shakespeare had a life-long fear of. William Shakespeare attended the Grammar school at Stratford-upon-Avon until he was about 13/14 years of age. He married Anne Hathaway in 1582 - Anne was 6 months pregnant. Shakespeare had three children. He left Stratford-upon-Avon and his young family to go to London - no one really knows the reason why but there were rumours that he had been accused of theft. He joined the London theatre scene - and history was born. He became part owner of the Globe theatre and wrote plays, poems and masques. A collection of his works did not appear until 1623 (a full seven years after Shakespeare's death on April 23, 1616) when two of his fellow actors, John Hemminges and Henry Condell, posthumously recorded his work and published 36 of William’s plays in the First Folio.

Elizabethan Times

Elizabethan Daily life

Elizabethan Daily lifeDaily life in Elizabethan England varied according to status and location.  It was the time of the Renaissance - new ideas in science and technology. The Introduction of the theatre and the work of playwrights such as William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe and great poets such as John Donne and Edmund Spenser. Changes in leisure and entertainment, increase in trade, changes in the countryside with the wool trade and discoveries in the New World. For specific facts and information about America please refer to Colonial America.

Elizabethan Daily life - the MonarchyQueen Elizabeth I ruled England. She was a popular monarch and the English people loved her. She was the daughter of King Henry VIII  and well versed in the art of rhetoric. She inspired the English people with some great speeches which confirmed her position as a strong leader of the country. one of her finest speeches was made when she addressed to the English army at Tilbury Fort, when invasion by the mighty Spanish Armada was imminent:

"...I know I have but the body of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart of a king, and of a king of England, too; and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realms: to which, rather than any dishonour should grow by me, I myself will take up arms..."

Queen Elizabeth had never married and therefore never been subject to the wishes of a husband - she had not brought a foreign prince to influence the everyday lives of the English people. Her leadership skills provided a sense of security and stability to the people of England and Elizabethan Daily life.

Elizabethan Daily life - ReligionPrior to the reign of Queen Elizabeth had England undergone massive religious changes. The break with Rome and the establishment of the Church of England by her father led to massive changes in Elizabethan Daily life. This major event occurred in 1531 when the Commons acknowledged the king as their "only and supreme lord and, as far as the law of Christ allows, even supreme head." In the Act of Supremacy of 1534, the caveat "as far as the law of Christ allows" was deleted.  England no longer answered to the Pope in Rome. The Dissolution of the Monasteries by King Henry VIII  followed between 1536 and 1540 put vast sums of money into the royal coffers and saw Monks and Nuns homeless and many poor people without a place of refuge. These events had a profound effect on Elizabethan Daily Life. In just a few short years from 1531 religion in English Daily life changed according to the reigning monarch. The following information highlights the swift changes in religion which were dictated by the Kings and Queens of England immediately prior to the reign of Queen Elizabeth
 

1509 -1547	King Henry VIII - Catholic then established the Church of England in 1531 adhering to many Protestant doctrines
1547 -1553	His son, King Edward VI, adhered to the Protestant religion. Edward died young and was succeeded by his Protestant cousin Lady Jane Grey
1553	Queen Jane only reigned for nine days and was replaced by Edward's sister Mary
1553 -1558	Queen Mary was a staunch Catholic - she obtained the name Bloody Mary for her persecution of Protestants
1509 -1547	Queen Elizabeth succeeded Mary. She adhered to the Protestant religion but was tolerant to Catholics

Queen Elizabeth provided stability to Elizabethan Daily life

Elizabethan Daily life - EducationGrammar schools were available to the Middle classes. The development of printing produced more books and cheap pamphlets which were in the reach of most Englishmen. Between 1550 and 1570 many of England's famous schools and colleges were founded.

Elizabethan Daily life - Career OpportunitiesThe Medieval Feudal system had broken down. Outbreaks of the plague had reduced the population - even peasants were paid for their labour. The wool trade provided opportunities for Englishmen. There were opportunities for young Englishmen to become apprentices and learn a trade which would bring them a good standard of living. A Wealthy Merchant class was emerging in England. Elizabethan Daily life provided many opportunities which had been denied to previous generations

Elizabethan Daily life - LeisureThe Elizabethan era saw the introduction of the Theatre. A cheap form of entertainment for the Lower Classes. A means to influence the masses ( which was therefore tightly regulated). The history of England was played out in the vivid historical plays by playwrights such as William Shakespeare.

Elizabethan Food
Elizabethan Food and Drink varied according to status and wealth. In the early Medieval era meat was a sign of wealth. But as the population rose, this was supported by improving agricultural techniques and inventions. The Elizabethan era also saw the introductions of different food from the New World. For specific facts and information about America please refer to Colonial America. And the Elizabethan period saw the expanded use of sugar.  Increased cultivation of fruit trees and bee hives was also seen during the Elizabethan era increasing the range of foods available. The section and era covering Elizabethan Food includes sections on Daily Meals, Elizabethan food preservation, Elizabethan food and diet, food availability, food served at a Banquet or feast and food from the New World. There is also a separate section containing old Elizabethan recipes.

Elizabethan Clothing

The section and era covering Elizabethan Clothing and Fashion includes extensive  information regarding all elements of clothing and fashion during the Elizabethan era. The subjects range from the type of clothing regarded as Upper Class Fashion - rich, sumptuous materials and elegant styles to clothes worn by the lower classes using basic materials. Each item of Elizabethan clothing has been designed.  Elizabethan Women's Clothing - gowns, hats, corsets, underwear, collars, ruffs and shoes. Elizabethan Men's Clothing - doublets, breeches, underwear, collars, ruffs, hats and shoes

                

Elizabethan Theatre 

The history of the theater is fascinating. How plays were first produced in the yards of inns - the Inn-yards. The very first theater and the development of the amphitheatre! The Elizabethan Entrepreneurs ( the men with the ideas and the money!). The building, design and construction of a London Elizabethan Theatre. The plays, the playwrights, the politics and the propaganda all play an important part in the history of the Elizabethan Theatre. The Elizabethan Theatre was a booming business. People loved the Theatre! The Elizabethan plays and theatres were as popular as the movies and cinemas of the early 20th century. Vast amounts of money could be made! The inn-keepers increased their profits by allowing plays to be shown on temporary stages erected in the yards of their inns (inn-yards). Soon purpose-built playhouses and great open theatres were being constructed. The great success of the theatre and what led to its downfall. 

Elizabethan Music
Elizabethan music had developed into sophisticated and varied forms. The introduction of the theatre during the Elizabethan era was enhanced as the plays were accompanied by music. Elizabethan music played in the theatre therefore need to be  capable of communicating many different moods reflecting the plots of the plays and heightening the drama.