Original Performance Conditions
The Globe Theatre was built to replicate the original Elizabethan Theatre.
The first Globe was circular structure made of wood and had a thatched roof covering the galleries where the wealthier spectators sat.
In the centre was a paved courtyard (pit) which had no roof and hosted the groundlings.
Groundlings were the poorer people who stood up with no shelter rather than sitting in shelter.
The stage was a large platform with an apron which was surrounded by the audience on three sides.
This type of staging is called Thrust staging.
The stage itself was partially covered by a roof/canopy which projected from a rear wall.
This canopy was known as "the heavens", it protected the actors in bad weather.
The only way onto the stage was a door at the back of the stage, this led to the dressing room.
A trapdoor led to a space below the stage which could be used to suggest a grave.
There was very little scenery as there was nowhere to store it.
Productions had to be transportable for performances at court or at noble house.
Minimal set meant the acting companies relied on the audiences imaginations.
The balcony, trapdoor and the pillars were used to full effect, to distinguish between different places and settings in the play.
Props were all real, real swords were used but severed hands were not real.
The more difficult props to move would be left on stage, smaller props were often left on stage too.
Often costume was lavish and elaborate which were bought from noble mens servants or donated by noble men as a sign of appreciation.
Elaborate costumes often entertained the uneducated groundlings.
Symbolic costume colours were often used:
-Brown/Grey - Associated with poor.
-Red - Honest and homely.
-Blue - Servants.
-Yellow - Mourning.
-Green - Archers.
-Black - Expensive, highly fashionable.
Music signifies change of place/setting/mood.
Sound effects could only be created using musical instruments. (No artificial sound)
Music was live and could only be played on stage, behind stage or on the gallery.
Lighting was provided by daylight - this could be supplemented by candles and burning torches.
Special effects could include fireworks of the time.
Performances were often quite long.
Theatres were built outside the city limits so the restricting laws didn't apply.
Basic entrance fee was 1d (one old penny) which was about the cost of a loaf of bread.
Acting style was believed to be deliberate rather than realistic.
Naturalistic acting as we know it was unknown.
Movement had to be lively and physical.
Women were not allowed to perform in the theatre, women were often played by young boys.
As the actors and audience shared the same light and both were visible to each other the, the performances were like a shared event.
Actors had to be aware that they could lose the audience at the time, they had to keep them engaged.
Acted without pause to to sustain illusion of reality or continuity.
There was no director, they had a book keeper who was an important member.
There had to be lots of action.
Shakespeare filled his plays with a huge amount of varied movement.
Actors were constantly mobile using whole stage to draw in spectators on each of the three sides.
Props were all real, real swords were used but severed hands were not real.
The more difficult props to move would be left on stage, smaller props were often left on stage too.
Often costume was lavish and elaborate which were bought from noble mens servants or donated by noble men as a sign of appreciation.
Elaborate costumes often entertained the uneducated groundlings.
Symbolic costume colours were often used:
-Brown/Grey - Associated with poor.
-Red - Honest and homely.
-Blue - Servants.
-Yellow - Mourning.
-Green - Archers.
-Black - Expensive, highly fashionable.
Music signifies change of place/setting/mood.
Sound effects could only be created using musical instruments. (No artificial sound)
Music was live and could only be played on stage, behind stage or on the gallery.
Lighting was provided by daylight - this could be supplemented by candles and burning torches.
Special effects could include fireworks of the time.
Performances were often quite long.
Theatres were built outside the city limits so the restricting laws didn't apply.
Basic entrance fee was 1d (one old penny) which was about the cost of a loaf of bread.
Acting style was believed to be deliberate rather than realistic.
Naturalistic acting as we know it was unknown.
Movement had to be lively and physical.
Women were not allowed to perform in the theatre, women were often played by young boys.
As the actors and audience shared the same light and both were visible to each other the, the performances were like a shared event.
Actors had to be aware that they could lose the audience at the time, they had to keep them engaged.
Acted without pause to to sustain illusion of reality or continuity.
There was no director, they had a book keeper who was an important member.
There had to be lots of action.
Shakespeare filled his plays with a huge amount of varied movement.
Actors were constantly mobile using whole stage to draw in spectators on each of the three sides.
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