Picture of "Inn Yard" Theatre

 

Bell Inn

  • Interesting Facts and information about the Bell Inn Elizabethan Theatre
  • People and events - Bell Inn Theatre
  • Famous Elizabethan Inn-yard
  • The Cobbled Courtyard was the site of Elizabethan plays

Bell Inn
The Bell Inn one of the most Famous London Inns which was used as a venue for Elizabethan plays and theatre prior to the opening of Playhouses and purpose built Elizabethan Amphitheatres in London such as the Globe Theatre.

Picture of "Inn Yard" Theatre

 

The Bell Inn - Elizabethan Theatre
The known facts about the Bell Inn, which was used as one of the venues for early English Elizabethan Theatre, are as follows:

  • London Location of the Bell Inn - Eastcheap, London
  • Elizabethan plays were performed in the courtyards of the Bell Inn - 1576 - 1594
 
 
 
  • The Elizabethan Acting Troupes would negotiate with the owner, or vintner, of the Bell Inn in order to stage a performance at the Bell Inn
  • The Cobbled Courtyard of the Bell Inn was the site of Elizabethan plays - a temporary stage would be erected on trestles
  • People who wanted to watch the plays at the Bell Inn were charged a small fee as they entered the courtyard - they had to pay extra if they wanted a view from the balcony.
 

In 1574 the City of London started regulating the Inn-yard activities which lead to the development of the covered Playhouses and the open Amphitheatres and the ultimate replacement of the Inn-yards for venues of Elizabethan plays and theatres.

Bell Inn - Interesting Facts and Information about Inn-Yard
Elizabethan Theatres

Interesting Facts and information about the Bell Inn Elizabethan Theatre

  • Name of this type of Elizabethan Theatre taken directly from the yard of an Inn
  • Elizabethan plays were performed in the cobbled courtyard
  • Audience capacity of an Elizabethan Inn-Yard - up to 500
  • There was gambling and there was even bear baiting in some of the Inn-yards
 
 

Queen Elizabeth's Coat of Arms

 

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Queen Elizabeth's Coat of Arms

Bell Inn

 

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