Theatre

• • Theatre became popular during Elizabeth's reign as England had no theatres before 1555
• • Patrons supported actors by building theatres where troupes could perform
• • Elizabeth established the Queens Men in 1583
  • She did not attend the theatre herself
  • Theatre companies performed for her in the royal court
• • London allowed for building of theatres in 1567
• Experience:

  • Theatre was attended by all classes
  • Working class stood in pit, closest to stage
  • Rich paid for best seats
• • Women were not allowed to act
  • Female roles were played by boys
• Types of plays:

  • Theatres performed non religious plays
  • Comedies were popular as plays usually contained rude humour
  • Mystery plays acted out stories of saints and stories from Bible
  • Protestants didn't like mystery plays as they were Catholic interpretations of Bible
  • Elizabeth's government stopped mystery plays to prevent violence between Protestants and Catholics
• • The theatre's popularity made it a propaganda tool for Elizabeth
  • The theatre could be used to spread political messages and warn dangers of religious conflict
  • Censorship was introduced in 1572
  • Theatre companies needed royal licence to operate
  • Scripts were read and approved by government
• Opposition:

  • Sinful - was a place to indulge in food and alcohol
  • Immortal - prostitutes were often present
  • Dangerous - crime was common
  • Unhygienic - disease was spread quickly
  • Ungodly - was seen as distraction from focusing on faith