Popular entertainment

• Importance of Entertainment

  • Majority of the people had little time of work, only Sundays.
  • Life was hard so entertainment was seen as an act of escapism.
• Cruel Sports

  • Bear and Bull baiting
  • Cock fighting
  • Accessible for everyone
• Bear and Bull baiting

  • Arenas where bears and bulls were attacked by dogs.
  • Dogs were released around the bear to make it angry in attempt to kill it.
  • Spectators would place bets.
• Cock Fighting

  • A pair of birds would fight.
  • Spectators would place bets.
• Entertainment for the rich

  • Hunting
  • Great hunt picnics were arranged and Elizabeth nobles had their own deer parks for hunting.
  • Hawking
  • Involved the use of a trained falcon to fly off the trainers arm to kill selected prey and then return with food.
• Dancing

  • Popular amongst all classes.
  • Lower class enjoyed traditional country dances and the upper class enjoyed employing musicians to play foreign popular dance tunes.
• Bands of strolling players

  • It was common for wandering band of players to tour the country, stopping at towns to perform plays.
  • A common theme for these early performances was the adventure of Robin Hood where poorer elements of society triumphed the rich.
  • However, these themes worried the authorities.
• Fear amongst authorities

  • Concern that many of the wandering players were classed as vagrants and beggars.
  • Also a health issue, that large crowds spread diseases such as the plague.
  • 1572, a law was passed banning strolling players from touring the countries.
• Design of Theatres

  • First playhouse was round in shape, with an open stage in the centre.
  • The inside was full of colour.
  • Prices were low to ensure that the poorer sections were able to afford cheaper tickets.
  • A flag was flown or a cannon sounded to inform Londoners that a play was about to be performed.
• Actors

  • Bands of professional actors of men and boys were developed.
  • Women were not allowed to act.
  • Actors were expected to be multifunctional.
• Richard Burbage

  • A good tragic actor
  • Performed many leading roles in Shakespeare plays.