The reputations of
Elizabethan actors were that of vagabonds and thieves. Travelling throughout the era was restricted and required a
license. Regulations restricting actors soon followed and
Licenses were granted to the nobles of England for the
maintenance of troupes of players. Thus the Elizabethan
Acting Troupes were formed and the History of the
Elizabethan Theatre started.
The History of the
Elizabethan Theatre - the Inn-yards
The travelling actors played to their
audiences in the courtyards of taverns - called inn-yards. Temporary
stages had to be erected and the actors moved around from one venue to
the next. The biggest of the Inn-yards had a maximum capacity of 500
people. There were no purpose built theaters
until 1576 when a theatrical entrepreneur called James
Burbage (father of the actor, Richard Burbage) decided to
capitalize on the growing popularity of plays. James Burbage
obtained a lease and permission to build 'The Theatre' in
Shoreditch, London. The Lord Chamberlain's Men use it from
1594 to 1596 and thus begins of the History of the
Elizabethan Theatre.
The History of the
Elizabethan Theatre - the Ampitheaters
The 'Theatre' was built in a similar style to the Roman
Coliseum, but on a smaller scale. The Elizabethan
amphitheatre was designed to hold a capacity of up to 3000
people. Similar amphitheatres were later built to house
blood sports, such as bear beating at the 'Bear Garden' and
Bull Beating at the 'Bull Ring'. In 1577 Another open air
amphitheatre called The Curtain opens in Finsbury Fields in
Shoreditch, London followed by the Rose in 1587.
The History of the
Elizabethan Theatre - the Bubonic Plague
During the Elizabethan era there were constant outbreaks of
the deadly Bubonic Plague (The Black Death). The large
audiences who were attracted to the massive theaters posed a
real health hazard to the largely populated city of London
and in 1593 Theatres were close due to the Bubonic Plague
(The Black Death).
The History of the
Elizabethan Theatre - London's authorities ban plays in the
City of London
The major outbreak of the Bubonic Plague and the rowdy
crowds attracted by the theaters were causing real problems
in the City of London. Many Londoners were strict
Protestants - Puritans in fact, who abhorred the theatres
and many of the people they attracted. Objections to the
theaters escalated from the Church and the City of London
Officials. Respectable London citizens added even more
objections about the rise in crime and the bawdy nature of
some of the plays, fighting, drinking not to mention the
risk of so many people and the spread of the Bubonic Plague.
Finally, in 1596 London's authorities were unwilling to
ignore the growing complaints any longer and the public
presentation of plays and all theaters within the City
limits of London were banned. All theaters located in the
City were forced to move to the South side of the River
Thames outside the City of London limits
The History of the
Elizabethan Theatre - The Globe Theatre
In 1599 the Globe Theatre is opened on Bankside - to the
South of London. William Shakespeare is a co-owner of the
Globe and a prolific writer of plays. The Globe Theater is a
huge success. Winter performances are staged in indoor
theaters called Playhouses.
The History of the
Elizabethan Theatre - The Bubonic Plague strikes again.
In 1603 the Bubonic Plague (The Black Death) again ravages
London killing 33,000 people and all theatres are closed
until the deadly outbreak subsides.
The History of the
Elizabethan Theatre - Fire at the Globe
On June 29 1613 a huge fire broke out at the Globe Theatre.
It was started by the firing of a cannon during one of the
plays. In 1614 the Globe Theatre was rebuilt on original
foundations but this time the roof was tiled, not thatched.
William Shakespeare dies on
April 25 1616
The History of the
Elizabethan Theatre - The English Civil War and the Puritans
In 1642 The English Civil War beaks out between the
Parliamentarians (Puritans) and the Royalists and on
September 2 1642 the Puritan Parliament issues an ordinance
suppressing all stage plays. The Puritans demolish the Globe
Theatre in 1644. In 1647 even stricter rules are passed by
the Puritans restricting the staging of plays and in 1648
the Puritans order that all playhouses and theatres are to
be pulled down, all players to be seized and whipped, and
anyone caught attending a play to be fined five shillings.
In 1649 The Civil War finally leads to the terrible
execution of King Charles I by the Parliamentarians. The
Elizabethan theater is halted until 1658 when Oliver
Cromwell dies and the power of the Puritans starts to
decline. In 1660 King Charles II is restored to the throne
of England. The Restoration, and the demise in the power of
the Puritans, sees the opening of the theatres once again.