Introduction to the Theatre

THE 101 / University of Idaho

Historical Background:

England Becomes a world Power 1688 Sinking of Spanish Armada

Religious and Political turmoil ends Cycle Plays (Themes considered to "Reactionary")

Elizabeth the I and the licensing acts of 1559

	Government Control over Theatre
	1572 Nobleman or 2 Justices to sponsor
	1574 Master of Revels Sponsorship
	1592-93 Public gatherings banned (Plague)

1642 End of Theatre with the beheading of Charles I (Cromwell and The Puritan Government)

Events Force a rise of "creative drama" putting theatre as Englands greatest contribution to the renaissance as fact.

First Intended governmental intervention and control of theatre

Development of Theatres:

Traveling Troupes w pageant wagons or tresstled stages

Backed into Inn-yards ("make your nut")

Develops into Wooden "O"

Public Theatres:

9 Total:

Basic Theatre:

	Outside City Limits
	3 Levels, mostly enclosed, partially roofed
	Stage and Tiring House
	Cellarage, Heavens, Inner Above / Below
	Pit and the Galleries
	Little or no scenery, extravagant but not accurate costumes
	Natural lighting, Candlelight, Torches

Private and Court Theatres:

Private: Indoors, Candlelit, Elitist, Costly

Court: Court only

Masques and Revels: Musical drama/dance

Master of revels, overseer and Booking agent.

Court Masques:

	Costly royal spectacles using elaborate scenery, lavish costumes, and spectacular dances.
	Italian Import: design, Inigo Jones, Masques were basically intermezzi.
	Opera and associated costs is the main reason the puritans destroyed theatre.
	Un-rhyming Iambic Pentameter stress 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, and 10th syllable.
	Contained: Sonnets (poems), Rhymed Couplets, Soliloquies, and Songs (various styles)

Genres in Shakespearean Theatre:

Style:

	Drew from Greek and Roman themes using distant times and places, history, foreign, sources and languages
	No copyrights
	Bold rapid Spectacular
	Robust Characters, Action, and Vigorous lyricism.
	Sword play and Word play
	Recurrent Themes
	Early point of Attack
	Several Line of Action (Play within a Play)
	Mix Laughter w/Fears
	Free range of time and place
	Large Number of Characters
	Infinite Variety of Language

Playwrights:

Acting Companies:

	Developed through patronage of Noblemen
	Highly talented: Singing, Dancing, Acrobats, Juggling, Fencing, Good Memory & Dialects
	All Male, boys apprenticed as ladies until growing into mens roles
	Often in trouble, various reasons

Lord Admirals Men

Lord Chamberlains Men

Typical Company:

Acting Hierarchy