第82期 The Age of Shakespeare 07/0

The Age of Shakespeare begins as William Shakespeare was born. It overlaps with the golden age for English literature in English History. During this era, England experienced peace and prosperity while the arts flourished, and this is when Shakespeare’s play and other men of letters started to shine. The theatre changed a lot during Shakespeare’s lifetime. The authorities didn’t like it and didn’t allow acting in the city itself. They thought it had a bad influence on people and kept them from going to church. Queen Elizabeth, on the other hand, loved acting and helped the theatre become popular.

Large open playhouses like the "Globe" were set up. They were marvelous in the right weather, but indoor theaters can operate year-round, out of the sun, wind, and rain. They also offer a more intimate setting with the use of artificial light. Shakespeare's company planned for years to operate its indoor theater, a goal that was finally achieved in 1609 when the Burbages took over London's Blackfriars theater.

1576 The Theatre, Finsbury Fields, Shoreditch, London.

1576 Newington Butts Elizabethan Theatre, Southwark, Surrey.

1576 The Bear Garden Elizabethan Theatre  Bankside, Surrey.

1576 The Bull Ring  Bankside, Surrey.

1577 The Curtain Elizabethan Theatre, Finsbury Fields, Shoreditch, London.

1587 The Rose Elizabethan Theatre, Bankside, Surrey.

1595 The Swan Elizabethan Theatre, Paris Garden, Surrey.

1599 The Globe, Bankside, Surrey.

1600 The Fortune Elizabethan Theatre, Golding Lane, Clerkenwell.

1600 The Boar's Head Elizabethan Theatre, Whitechapel, London.

1604 The Red Bull Elizabethan Theatre, Clerkenwell.

1614 The Hope Elizabethan Theatre  Bankside, Surrey.

One of the very first amphitheaters of the era was built in 1576 by John Burbage one of the many entrepreneurs combatting the new regulations set by the City Of London to stop them from performing plays in Inn-yards. As a result, many purpose-built wooden theatres were built so that they can continue performing.

This theatre was extremely simple, made from ordinary timber and nails with thatched roofs. Also, there weren’t any indoor toilets which meant that the audience relieved themselves outside by the road. The artificial lighting was very minimal utilizing the natural light during the day and candles at night (usually for special effect). The people who attend this amphitheater were usually very wealthy women. In those days it was believed that the performers utilized special effects such as smoke which was very amazing in those days.

The "Globe" built-in 1599, John Burbage used the building materials from his first amphitheater named ‘The Theatre’ which was dismantled due to leasing complications. It was constructed by the company of performers which included William Shakespeare himself. It was one of the most well-known amphitheaters of that era and included performances of most of the works of the world-renowned playwright William Shakespeare.

This amphitheatre had an open roof which means that it can only be used during the Summer when the audience was less affected by the elements. It was usually crowded as the plays performed here by William Shakespeare was well known. As it is a reconstruction, this theatre featured a more polished interior design and included designated rooms for wealthy guests and better views of the performance.