Shakespeare Oral

Shakespearean Theatres
Good afternoon/morning class and Mrs Fellowes. William Shakespeare was a legend. He was an actor, a poet and a play writer one of the most famous in all of London. Plays were performed in theatres in the Elizabethan era, this was the way to entertain the family on a boring day, this was the trend. London was the most famous city to be when plays were taken in account. This city consisted of about 5 most popular theatres. These theatres were: The Globe theatre, The Swan, The Curtain, The Rose and the Hope Theatre. They all functioned the same and had the same rules and regulations just like any other theatre. Theatres in this era were grouped into three categories. Outdoor theatres, indoor theatres and inn yards. Before theatres were made, plays were always performed in inn yards but when theatres were discovered, this was the most popular thing to attend. Most theatres in this era functioned the same and comprised with the same rules and regulations. All theatres had a very important rule; this rule was that no women were allowed to be on the cast in any play. The men had to dress up as a women and act like one too depending on what character this female role was. The only thing women could do were be spectators or to do the daily chores like doing the washing and the clothes whilst the men did their jobs to earn food on the table. Each theatre could fit between 2000 to 3000 people. Most of these common theatres were indoor, indoor meaning an open roof but covered were people sat, this meant that there was no lighting. The manager of the play would decide which day the play is performed; if it is raining of course the play would not happen as the roof is open. All plays were performed between 2pm and 5pm, and were forbidden on Fridays and Saturdays. Inside theatres consisted of the stage and many rooms above. There was a room called the upper room which was built above the stage which was used to make sound effects like a cannon being fired. This was unfortunately the reason why the Globe Theatre was burnt to the ground in 1613. In the Elizabethan era, there were commoners, men and women of higher ranks and of course Queen Elizabeth and all had there own seating arrangements in theatres. Commoners stood exactly in front of the stage which made it difficult to see as you would always have to look up when watching the performance. The more wealthy people sat above the stage, sitting on cushions. These people sat in a room called the ‘Gentlemen’s Room’ which was located one each of the above sides of the stage. The Shakespearean theatres were famous throughout the whole of England. Without these theatres, plays in this time would not have been as remarkable. Thank-you for listening.

Madeleine Gregory