The historic environment of Elizabethan England (AQA GCSE History): Revision Notes
Blackfriars Theatre 2: A historic environment case study
The Blackfriars Theatre represents a fascinating example of how entertainment and culture developed during Elizabeth I's reign. This indoor theatre became one of London's most important playhouses and shows us how theatre evolved from simple performances to sophisticated entertainment for the wealthy.
The people behind Blackfriars Theatre
The story of Blackfriars Theatre involves several key figures who shaped its development over nearly 70 years.
Richard Farrant and the early years
In 1576, Richard Farrant, who held the important position of Master of the Children of the Chapel Royal, leased part of an old monastery building. Farrant used this space to stage plays performed by boy actors, which was quite innovative for the time. This arrangement showed how theatre was beginning to move away from just outdoor performances.
The use of boy actors was not just a novelty - it reflected the social restrictions of the time while also creating a unique theatrical tradition that would influence English drama for decades.
The Burbage family's contribution
James Burbage, who was already established as an actor, builder and theatre owner, constructed the second (and more famous) Blackfriars Theatre in 1596. Burbage understood both the artistic and business sides of theatre, making him perfectly placed to create something special. When James died, his son Richard Burbage took over the theatre operations.
Richard Burbage (1567-1619) became one of England's most celebrated actors and is often considered the first great star of English theatre. His involvement meant the theatre attracted the best talent of the era.
Richard Burbage's fame was so great that he was the original actor to play many of Shakespeare's most famous roles, including Hamlet, King Lear, and Richard III. His star power was crucial to the theatre's success.
Henry Evans and later development
After Richard Burbage leased the theatre to Henry Evans in 1600, the venue reached new heights of popularity and innovation. Evans focused on staging plays at the newly renovated Blackfriars Theatre, attracting larger and wealthier audiences who could afford the higher ticket prices.
Design and architectural features
The design of Blackfriars Theatre reflected the changing nature of Elizabethan entertainment and showed several important innovations.
Layout and seating
The theatre featured at least two, and possibly three galleries where spectators could sit. These galleries provided different price points for tickets, with the best seats commanding higher prices. The theatre also included stage boxes, which were premium seating areas that allowed wealthy patrons to be seen as well as to see the performance.
Interestingly, as many as ten spectators might sit directly on or very close to the stage during performances. This created an intimate atmosphere quite different from outdoor theatres like the Globe.
The intimate seating arrangement at Blackfriars was revolutionary - it created a much more personal connection between actors and audience than the large outdoor theatres, fundamentally changing the theatrical experience.
Technical innovations
Burbage introduced several technical advances that made Blackfriars Theatre special. He added trap doors, wires and belts which allowed for more spectacular effects, such as actors appearing to fly or disappear mysteriously. These mechanical devices enabled more complex staging than had been possible before.
Perhaps most significantly, Blackfriars Theatre was among the first English theatres to use artificial lighting effectively. This allowed for evening performances and created atmospheric effects that enhanced the drama. The ability to control lighting also meant that plays could incorporate more sophisticated visual storytelling.
The introduction of artificial lighting was a game-changer for English theatre. It not only extended performance hours but also allowed for new dramatic techniques, such as creating mood through lighting changes and special effects that were impossible in outdoor, daylight-dependent venues.
Culture, values and fashions reflected in the theatre
The way Blackfriars Theatre operated tells us a great deal about Elizabethan society's values and cultural attitudes.
Acting conventions and social norms
All actors were male, reflecting the social restrictions placed on women in public life. Boys and young men played all female parts, often wearing wigs and elaborate costumes to create convincing female characters. This convention was accepted as normal and audiences became skilled at imagining female characters portrayed by male actors.
The exclusion of women from the stage was not just a theatrical convention but reflected broader social attitudes about women's roles in public life. This restriction would continue until the Restoration period in the 1660s.
Costume and social status
Costumes played a crucial role in communicating characters' social positions to audiences. Actors playing gentry, nobility or monarchs had to invest heavily in expensive costumes that accurately reflected their characters' high status. This expense showed how important visual authenticity was to Elizabethan audiences.
Actors also painted their faces for performances, using makeup to enhance their features and help convey emotions to audiences in the larger spaces.
Content and audience expectations
Many plays featured what we might now consider crude or vulgar humour, reflecting Elizabethan society's more robust approach to comedy. Audiences expected and enjoyed this earthiness alongside more sophisticated dramatic content.
The plays often addressed contemporary interests in Elizabethan society, including historical dramas (like Henry V and Julius Caesar) and supernatural themes (such as Macbeth). These topics showed audiences' fascination with both their national past and mysterious forces beyond everyday experience.
However, such plays frequently faced criticism from Puritans, who viewed theatre as morally corrupting and inappropriate. Public galleries meant that wealthier members of society could attend and be seen, making theatre both entertainment and social display.
The tension between theatrical entertainment and Puritan disapproval was a constant feature of the period. This cultural conflict would eventually contribute to the theatre's closure during the Civil War, when Puritan influence in Parliament grew stronger.
Important events and timeline
Understanding the chronological development of Blackfriars Theatre helps us see how it reflected broader changes in Elizabethan and early Stuart England.
Establishment and early success (1576-1596)
- 1576: Richard Farrant leased part of the old monastery, beginning the theatre's history
- 1596: James Burbage built the second, more sophisticated theatre building
Growth and innovation (1596-1610)
- 1596: The City of London authorities responded to complaints by banning plays and theatres, forcing them to move south of the River Thames. However, Blackfriars Theatre, being in a different jurisdiction, continued operating
- 1600: Henry Evans began staging plays at the newly developed Blackfriars Theatre, attracting larger audiences despite higher prices
The jurisdictional advantage of Blackfriars was crucial to its survival. While other theatres were banned from the City of London, Blackfriars operated in a liberty (a special administrative area) that was outside the City's direct control.
Golden age (1610-1642)
- 1610-1642: The theatre became celebrated throughout London for its innovative drama and attracted the finest playwrights of the era. Leading writers such as Thomas Middleton, Ben Jonson, George Chapman and John Marston created works specifically for this venue
Decline and closure (1642-1655)
- 1642: When the English Civil War began, the Blackfriars Theatre was forced to close along with all other playhouses, as the Puritan-influenced Parliament viewed theatre as frivolous and immoral during a time of national crisis
- 1655: The theatre building was finally demolished, marking the end of nearly 80 years of theatrical history
The closure in 1642 wasn't just about the Civil War - it represented a fundamental shift in England's cultural and religious attitudes. The Puritan view that theatre was inherently sinful would dominate English culture for the next 18 years until the Restoration.
Timeline of major events
- 1576 - Richard Farrant leases monastery space for first theatre
- 1596 - James Burbage builds second Blackfriars Theatre
- 1600 - Henry Evans takes over theatre operations
- 1610 - Beginning of theatre's golden age with innovative drama
- 1642 - English Civil War begins, theatre forced to close
- 1655 - Theatre building demolished
Key Points to Remember:
- Blackfriars Theatre evolved through three main operators: Richard Farrant (1576), James Burbage (1596), and Henry Evans (1600), each bringing new innovations and audiences
- Technical innovations made it special: artificial lighting, trap doors, and mechanical effects set it apart from outdoor theatres and influenced future theatre design
- It served wealthy audiences: higher ticket prices and indoor setting attracted gentry and nobility, making it more exclusive than public outdoor theatres
- Cultural values were reflected in its operations: male-only acting, expensive costumes showing social status, and content that both entertained and sparked Puritan criticism
- Political events ended its success: the English Civil War and Puritan attitudes towards theatre led to its closure in 1642 and eventual demolition in 1655