The Elizabethan theatre (AQA GCSE History): Revision Notes
The Elizabethan theatre
Introduction
Theatre became a crucial form of entertainment during Elizabeth I's reign, serving as both popular amusement and a reflexion of contemporary society. The plays performed in these purpose-built venues acted like mirrors, showing audiences their own world through drama and comedy.
Elizabethan theatre was unique in its ability to bring together all social classes in one venue, creating a shared cultural experience that reflected the complexities of 16th-century English society.
Theatre design and structure
Elizabethan theatres were ingeniously designed circular buildings that physically represented the social hierarchy of the time. The architecture itself told a story about English society and who belonged where.
The physical design of Elizabethan theatres wasn't just practical - it was a deliberate reflexion of England's rigid social structure, with each area of the theatre corresponding to different social classes.
The building layout
The typical Elizabethan theatre was a round, open-air structure with several distinct areas. At ground level sat the pit, where ordinary people known as 'groundlings' stood to watch performances. These were the working-class citizens who paid the cheapest admission price but had to remain on their feet throughout the show.
Rising above the pit were tiered galleries with proper seating, where wealthier merchants and members of the gentry could sit comfortably and look down on both the stage and the common people below. The most expensive seats were closest to the upper stage area, reserved for the very wealthy who wanted to see and be seen.
The term "groundlings" came from the fact that these audience members literally stood on the ground level of the theatre. Despite paying the lowest prices, they were often the most vocal and interactive part of the audience, cheering, booing, and even throwing objects at the stage.
Behind the scenes
Tiring rooms served as backstage areas where actors could change into their elaborate costumes between scenes. These spaces were essential because Elizabethan plays often required quick costume changes, and actors could even be lowered onto the main stage from above using a clever system of wires and pulleys.
Types of plays and entertainment
The Elizabethan period witnessed a dramatic shift in theatrical content, moving away from religious themes towards secular entertainment that reflected contemporary concerns.
The transition from religious to secular drama
Earlier in the 16th century, Mystery Plays had dominated English theatre. These religious dramas, particularly popular among Catholics, told biblical stories and moral tales. However, during Elizabeth's reign, these gave way to new, secular (non-religious) plays that explored human nature, politics, and social issues without focusing on religious themes.
This transition from religious to secular drama represented a major cultural shift in England. It reflected the changing religious landscape under Protestant rule and the growing interest in humanist ideas that emphasised individual experience over religious doctrine.
Popular theatrical forms
Comedies became extremely popular, often performed by professional acting companies that were sponsored by wealthy noblemen. These performances were so successful that even Queen Elizabeth I and the Earl of Leicester provided financial backing for theatre groups. The most famous of these were the Queen's Men and Leicester's Men.
The patronage system was crucial for theatre companies' survival. Noble sponsors not only provided financial support but also legal protection, as actors without noble patronage could be arrested as "vagabonds" under Elizabethan law.
Bawdy jigs and audience participation
At the end of many performances, actors would present bawdy jigs - lively songs and dances performed in clown costumes. These entertaining interludes often contained crude humour and rude language, and audiences were frequently encouraged to join in, making theatre a highly interactive experience.
Key figures and venues
Renowned playwrights
The Elizabethan era produced some of England's greatest writers. William Shakespeare stands as the most famous, but Christopher Marlowe and Ben Jonson were equally important in developing English drama. These playwrights created works that spoke directly to Elizabethan concerns and values.
Important actors
Richard Burbage emerged as one of the most celebrated actors of the period, helping to establish acting as a respected profession rather than merely wandering entertainment.
Famous theatres
Several purpose-built theatres became cultural landmarks: The Globe (Shakespeare's theatre), The Red Lion, The Rose, The Bull Ring, The Newington Butts, and The Bear Garden. These venues had to accommodate growing audiences from all social classes, leading to larger and more sophisticated designs.
The Globe Theatre, rebuilt after a fire in 1613, could accommodate approximately 3,000 spectators - a massive audience for the time. This shows just how popular theatre had become during the Elizabethan period.
Cultural significance and social reflexion
Elizabethan theatre served as more than entertainment - it was a powerful mirror of society's values, fears, and aspirations.
Reflecting social issues
Case Study: "Doctor Faustus" and Contemporary Concerns
Christopher Marlowe's "Doctor Faustus" exemplified how plays addressed contemporary concerns. The story explored:
- The growing fascination with witchcraft that gripped sections of Elizabethan society
- The theological debate between Calvinists (who supported predestination - the belief that God predetermined everyone's fate) and those who believed in free will
- The Renaissance tension between traditional religious beliefs and new scientific knowledge
Addressing social problems
Many plays reflected the everyday realities of Elizabethan life. The bawdy jigs performed at venues like The Globe often referenced contemporary social issues, including the behaviour of "adulterous wives, milkmaids, prostitutes, thieves and muggers" - characters that audiences would recognise from their own communities.
This direct reference to contemporary social problems shows how theatre served as both entertainment and social commentary. Playwrights weren't afraid to tackle controversial or sensitive topics that affected ordinary people's daily lives.
Timeline of key developments
- c.1567: The Red Lion theatre built (one of the first purpose-built theatres)
- 1576: The Theatre built in Shoreditch
- 1587: The Rose theatre opened
- 1599: The Globe theatre constructed
- Throughout 1580s-1590s: Professional acting companies flourished under noble patronage
Summary
Key Points to Remember:
- Theatre architecture reflected social hierarchy - from groundlings in the pit to wealthy patrons in gallery seats
- Elizabethan drama evolved from religious Mystery Plays to secular entertainment that explored contemporary social and political issues
- Key playwrights included Shakespeare, Marlowe, and Jonson, who created works that directly addressed Elizabethan concerns
- All social classes attended theatre, making it a truly popular form of entertainment that brought different groups together
- Plays served as social mirrors, reflecting everything from theological debates to everyday problems like crime and social behaviour