Elizabethan Theatre. Reflection: Unit 2 PreTest-Medieval, Renaissance, and Elizabethan Theatre 1. Asides or private conversations and soliloquy are used to engage with the audience and became quite popular. Elizabethan Period is generally regarded as the greatest in the history of English Literature. Elizabethan theater had not yet developed a structure in which different jobs were given to different people. Its popularity matched that of 5th Century Greece. Elizabethan theater had several characteristics that differ from today's theater-going experience, though there are troupes today that try to recreate it in what is called "original practices." Blackfriars Theatre The name Blackfriars actually refers to two successive theatres. This was the spark that ignited the passion that led to Charlotte Marlowe, Ben Jonson and Shakespeare and his famous “The Globe” in the future. The theatre (as Elizabethan Drama) as entertainment flourished and became popular in. There was an emphasis on visual with the designer gaining importance in this age. Comedy often played upon this with Shakespeare writing comedies in which boys dressed as girls who disguised themselves as boys. Built in 1567, by John Brayne, formerly a grocer, this theatre was a short lived attempt to provide a purpose built playhouse for the many Tudor touring theatrical companies. Elizabeth I was a powerful, resolute monarch who returned England to Protestantism, quelled a great de… Other Elizabethan instruments used in the theater included recorders, lute and fife. The last chapter is about Elizabethan drama (tragedy, comedy), theatre and their impact during the Elizabethan age. The most important characteristic of the Elizabethan age was the comparative religious tolerance and social contentment,intellectual liberty,unbounded patriotism and peace at home and abroad.The age appealed to the imagination and intellect, and literature instinctively turned to the drama and brought it rapidly to the highest stage of its development. Acting troupes in the Elizabethan era took their shows on the road and performed in barns, innyards, nobleman's houses, from the backs of wagons or in city squares. Use of Blank Verse without the iambic pentameter was also used profusely in Elizabethan plays. Click to go to larger version with more information). It was on the outskirts of the city of London, and only hosted troupes of actors as they were passing through. Use our Globe Theatre PowerPoint Presentationto introduce your KS3 English class to the iconic theatre! It is a period when Men broke out of the rules and regulations of the church in order to seek for knowledge. They were mostly open air and looked like an O from above. One characteristic of English Renaissance theater was the actual construction of permanent theater buildings. Although it is generally agreed that the period began at the commencement of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I in 1558, the ending date is not as definite. Such an age of thought, feeling & vigorous action, finds its best expression in the drama; & the wonderful development of the dr… A permanent theater, The Red Lion, opened in 1567. The facial features, body language and more garments of an actor were cleverly manipulated to establish drama in his/her personality. Characteristics of the Medieval Period Literature, Neoclassical Period in English Literature. There were also satirical plays for the likes of Ben Jonson etc who preferred the substance over show. The development of the proscenium stage was attributed to this age only. di A. Stefania Santoro. Before Queen Elizabeth I … Historically, Elizabethan theatre refers to plays performed in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1558-1603). It was common for actors to form companies, usually under noble sponsorship. ~ The Globe Theatre was very famous as Shakespeare's business owned it and all of his famous plays were performed in it. People, most of whom stood throughout the play, talked back to the actors as if they were real people. Instead, shows were put on in the courtyards of inns by traveling troupes of actors. Short 2. The theatres were open-air and most of the plays were enacted in the afternoons under the natural sunlight. The Red Lion Theatre The Red Lion was an Elizabethan playhouse located in Mile End (part of the modern Borough of Tower Hamlets), just outside the City of London. It is true that adolescent boy actors played female roles, and the performances were held in the afternoon because there was no artificial light. Renaissance Period influenced many properties of the theatre like actors were attached to companies that performed throughout the country. characteristics of poetry during the Renaissance era. There were scare props so costumes became lavish with loud and extravagant appearances. Actors created all sound effects using theatrical devices for such sounds as rain or cannons. There was also no scenery to speak of, and the costumes let the audience know the social status of the characters. Theatre performances during the Elizabethan Age had many interesting qualities worth reading. One of the most successful was Christopher Marlowe, who many contemporaries considered Shakespeare's superior. Playwrights performed as actors. Some actors became permanent company members and shareholders in their own right. It is considered to be the most brilliant period in the history of English theatre. The tragedy became the most popular genre and was replete with violence, horror and gore. Its popularity matched that of 5th Century Greece. Clever wordplay and puns were employed like in Romeo and Juliet to incite a level of layering to the characters. Spaces were craftily used to create the scenes of heaven and hell etc. In response, actors would talk and interact with the audience. Along with the economics of the profession, the character of the drama changed towards the end of the period. Royal Shakespeare Theatre. The stage had trapdoors to move actors, and props were normally used for aid in actions and scenery. The performances were held in open like the public courtyards, inns etc with lavish entrances behind them and windows. Women were not allowed to perform until 1660. The first plays of this era were not performed in permanent theaters – there were none at that time. A typical company had shareholders and managers, actors and apprentices. They had their own companies and with the advent of proper theatres, they began holding shares of the same. 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