Shakespeare's Theatre: Historical Performance Context
Year 7 English Exploring Elizabethan and Jacobean Theatre Understanding Performance in Shakespeare's Time
The Elizabethan Era (1558-1603)
Reign of Queen Elizabeth I Golden Age of English theatre First permanent playhouses built in London Theatre became popular entertainment for all social classes
The Globe Theatre: Shakespeare's Stage
Theatre Audience: Then vs Now
{"left":"Elizabethan audiences were loud and interactive\nPeople threw food and heckled actors\nPerformances happened in daylight (afternoon)\nAll social classes mixed together in the theatre","right":"Modern audiences sit quietly in darkness\nWe applaud politely at the end\nPerformances use electric lighting\nTickets are often expensive, limiting social mixing"}
Actors and Performance Style
All actors were male - including female roles Young boys played women characters Actors used exaggerated gestures and loud voices No microphones - had to project to 3,000 people Costumes were elaborate and expensive
Video Analysis: A Midsummer Night's Dream
Watch clips from different productions Look for: staging techniques, audience interaction, costume choices In groups of 5: list 3 features you notice Compare Elizabethan-style vs modern productions
Think and Discuss
How might the loud, interactive audience have influenced Shakespeare's writing? Why do you think theatre was so popular in Elizabethan times? What are the advantages and disadvantages of performing in daylight vs artificial lighting?
Why This Context Matters Today
Understanding original performance helps us interpret the plays Shakespeare wrote for his specific audience and theatre Modern directors make choices about how to present his work Knowing the history helps us appreciate the innovation We can better understand the language and humor