Development of elizabethan theater history

Theatre of England between and

The English Renaissance theatre or Elizabethan theatre was the theatre of England from to Its most prominent playwrights were William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe and Ben Jonson.

Background

The term English Renaissance theatre encompasses the period between —following a performance of Gorboduc, the first English play using blank verse, at the Inner Temple during the Christmas season of —and the ban on theatrical plays enacted by the English Parliament in

In a strict sense "Elizabethan" only refers to the period of Queen Elizabeth's reign (–). English Renaissance theatre may be said to encompass Elizabethan theatre from to , Jacobean theatre from to , and Caroline theatre from to

Along with the economics of the profession, the character of the drama changed towards the end of the period. Under Elizabeth, the drama was a unified expression as far as social class was concerned: the Cour

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Elizabethan theatre

Richard Burbage, along with Edward Alleyn, was the most successful actor of Elizabethan theatre. The son of James Burbage, owner of the Theatre at Shoreditch, he performed more leading roles in the major plays of the time than any other actor. They included the original performances of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Richard III, as well as lead roles in Ben Jonson’s Volpone and The Alchemist.

The late 16^th century, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, was the first great blossoming of London theatre, providing a platform for the talents of playwrights such as William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. Yet the playhouses of the time were located outside of the City in the expanding suburbs.

The dominant theatrical tradition in England during the Middle Ages was ‘mystery’ plays. These were moralistic dramas based on the Bible and usually performed in churches or on temporary stages at seasonal fairs bygd amateur actors or members of guild

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History of the Elizabethan Theatre

		Interesting Facts and information about History of the Elizabethan Theatre Elizabethan Theatre History - the Inn-yards, Amphitheatres and Playhouses Elizabethan Audiences, Plays and Playwrights Actors, Theatre Companies and Troupes

Picture of Queen Elizabeth I

History of the Elizabethan Theatre

History of the Elizabethan Theatre The History of the Elizabethan Theatre started with the Wandering minstrels who moved from one castle and town to to the next. Any strangers were treated with suspicion during the Elizabethan era, and this also applied to wandering actors, especially when many horrific outbreaks of the Bubonic Plague were occurring. The reputations of Elizabethan actors were that of vagabonds and thieves.

Travelling throughout the era was restricted and required a license. Regulations restricting actors soon followed and Licenses were granted to the nobles of Eng