from the Globe to the West End

From the Globe to the West EndFrom the Globe to the West End

Liceo “P. Virgilio Marone

Avellino

C1 FSE 2010-2246

Country unified, trade and commerce flourished

Age of exploration

Expanding with confidence and reflecting in it the drama of the period

England became a dominant force under Elizabeth I (1558-1603)

London largest city in Europe. Population 200,000 1559. Doubles again in 50 years.

The Theatres in London were not on the “better” side of the River Thames

The were located on the Bishop of Canterbury’s Land

Surrounded by brothels, pubs and gaming houses

Bear baiting, cock fights and tournaments were held in the same space where the original theatre was performed

In the early days, Elizabethan theatre space was located in courtyards and the larger homes of noble patrons.

Due to advances many playwrights were able to write very different plays than the more formal Greek examples

Elizabethan theatre was able to be more expansive and include many more actors and

actionsNo hesitancy to show murder and bloodshed on

stage

No longer state or church supported

6 days a week (NO Sundays)

In the afternoon,(2-5)No lights

Changed plays often to keep the people coming

They announced what kind of play was showing with flags: Black-Tragedy, White-comedy, Red-History

One play could be performed up to ten times in a season

New plays in constant demand

“The Theatre” first permanent theatre space built in England

Constructed in amphitheatre style: open air

Built by James Burbage, father of an actor

One of the most famous Elizabethan theatres

surrounded on three sides by seating “galleries”

Shakespeare’s troupe performed here. He was

part owner in the theatre

The acting company had about 25 actors, all male

Half of the actors were share holders in the

theatre.

Stage was 43 feet wide

Extended 1/2 way into the yard (about 27 1/2ft)

3 stories of galleries

4 separately divided gentlemen’s rooms

The Globe held about 3000 people1c admission for standing room

Higher price for gallery seating

Private boxes for the nobility

Sold refreshments

No restroom, no intermission“Box Office”

The Globe theatre was burned to the ground in 1613

Fire started when a prop cannon exploded during the first night performance of Henry VIII.

Rebuilt on the same site.

Was demolished in 1644 when theatres were closed.

Paid by the playShakespeare averaged two a year

Often plays of specific playwright written exclusively for one theatre.

No copyright laws; use of sides

William Shakespeare, Sir Walter Raleigh, Christopher Marlowe, Edmund Spencer were all Elizabethan playwrights

Born April 1564 at Stratford–upon-Avon

Father John Shakespeare was a glove maker and trader

Married Anne Hathaway 1582.She was 26. He was 18

Three children: Susanna, Twins: Judith & Hamnet

Wrote 37 plays, poems and sonnet (154)

Plays are divided into Histories, Tragedies, Comedies

Died 1616

Shakespeare was a member of the Lord Chamberlain’s Men.

Became King’s Men when James I became king in 1603.

Company was given royal patent.

Performed at court 12 times a year.

History Plays: Henry IV Parts1&2,

Henry V , Henry VI Parts1,2 &3,Richard II and III etc.

Tragedies: Romeo & Juliet, Caesar, Hamlet, Macbeth etc.

Comedies:12th Night, Much Ado About Nothing, Taming of the Shrew, etc.

John Heminge & Henry Condell “First Folio”

Many of Shakespeare’s plays have been adapted into other forms

They are some of the most quoted plays of all time still very popular today

Greatest actor of the time period

Shakespeare wrote parts for him: Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Anthony and others

Father built “The Theatre’

Educated at Cambridge

Atheist, homosexual, tavern brawler

Associated with the darker side of the Elizabethan period

Died in a tavern fight at 28

Most famous play “The Tragical History of Dr. Faustus”

Most influential after Shakespeare

Had strong convictions about what audiences should like

Arrogant, quarrelsome, volatile temper

Imprisoned 2 times

Most famous works: Volpone, The Alchemist, The Devil Is an Ass

1st”poet Laureate of England

Restoration theatre

The theatre was closed in 1644 and all theatre was banned through the Cromwell period in England.

When Charles II was restored to power he re-opened the theatres in England.(1660) Noted for its Comedies

Cynical View, witty dialogue, sophisticated sexual behavior

“Virtuous” characters no matter the situation. “Honor” depended on wit not reputation

Depicted the conventions of the Courtly society where elegance of phrase and appearance were highly prized over sincerity and morals.

William Congreve(1670-1729) Love for love, The way of the World

William Wycherley(1640_1715) The Country wife

Oliver Goldsmith: She stoops to Conquer

Restoration was first to use women in female roles

By the 1700(Queen Anne) there was a revival of classical style and morality. The change was slow at first but by 1730 (George I) the hero/heroine was becoming more virtuous.

Carbone PaolaCelano MiriamColucci Maria RitaDe Luca Vittorio De Mattia MichelaDente AntonellaFruncillo GerardinaGiliberti MartaGuerriero AdrianaInfante MarianaMamone Capria StefanoManzo RobertaPalumbo EdoardoTroisi ChiaraTulino Rossella