Shakespeare's Theatre

When did the “building of theatres” begin in London

shortly before Shakespeare wrote his plays in the 1590s.

What two types of theatres were there?

Indoor private theatres and outdoor public theatres.

where else were plays performed? (3)

court (Whitehall, Hampton Court), halls at universities (Cambridge, Oxford), and Inns of Court (legal societies buildings)

(technically) first permanent English theatre name

“Red Lion”

Red Lion context:

short-lived, owner John Brayne (brother-in-law to James Burbage)

First outdoor theatre (officially) name

“The Theatre”

“The Theatre” built when

1576

where was the “Theatre” built

Shoreditch (outside the center of London)

Who was the founder of the “Theatre”

James Burbage

famous public theatres (Northside)

Theatre, Curtain, Fortune,

famous public theatres (Bankside, across the Thames)

Rose, Swan, Globe, Hope

Curtain bio

• built in 1577 near the Theatre

• proprietor Henry Lanman

• rectangular (not round as depicted)

• premier venue of Lord Chamberlain’s Men

Rose bio

• built 1587

• built by Philip Henslowe

• First theatre across Thames

• Titus Andronicus and Henvy VI pt 1 performed here

• circular thrust stage

Two other famous playwrights at the time

Thomas Kyd, Christopher Marlowe

1st Globe bio

• built 1599

• built on Bankside by Lord Chamb’s Men

• burned down during a production of Henry VIII (cannons at the beginning set the roof on fire, was demolished within an hour)

2nd Globe bio

• built 1613

• Built on top of og site

• first theatre to be closed down by Parliament in 1642

more Globe info

• 6 shareholders:

  • Richard Burbage (and brother) owned double shares (25% each)

    • Richard — son of James Burbage (founder of the Theatre)

  • Shakespeare and the rest owned single shares (12% each)

    • Shakespeare’s diminished to 7%

theatre swap

• Theatre to Globe

• then Rose to Fortune

Blackfriars versus Globe pricing

• Globe: penny to stand in the yard, sixpence for the best seats in the house

• Blackfriars: sixpence entry fee, 5x sixpence (1/2 crown) for the best seats

Which theatre did both bearbaiting and plays

The Hope

Jacobean indoor theatre

door, door, revealing space, thrust stage (no curtains) — same as the Blackfriars