Theatres, Actors and Acting in Shakespeare's Time

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What were the theatres or ‘playhouses’ of Shakespeare’s time like and how were plays staged in them? 

Before the first playhouse was built, theatre was performed in yards and inn-houses. But in the 1600s, two types of playhouses were built. The first, the open air amphitheater where the audience would either stand around the stage or on seats, but these tickets were more expensive. This type of playhouse only put on shows during the summer months and plays were designed to b performed outside with natural daylight. The second type of theatre, are indoor halls, They were rectangular in shape, with the stage on one of the shorter sides. The most expensive tickets were right at the front, with the cheaper ones around the edges of the three sides of the stage. These indoor theatres allowed for more luxury and comfort. Playhouses were elaborately decorated inside. The stages rarely had set, but instead they had hangings such as painted pieces of cloth or curtains.

MAIN DIFFERENCES

• Indoor halls were suitable for all weather at any time of year, where as outdoors was just for summer
• open air theatres would often have noisy special effects which indoor theatres could not have as it would disturb the neighbours
• tickets to indoor playhouses were more expensive. Outdoor was 1 - 3 pennies, whereas indoor was 2 - 26
• everyone got a seat at indoor playhouses, the more expensive the ticket, the better the seat was in terms of where it was placed in the theatre
• food and drink was served in outdoor playhouses
• outdoor performances were lit by natural light, where as indoor performances were lit with candle light. This is why plays started having intervals, so there was time for the candles to get replaced
• the acoustics were better in indoor theatres, therefore their sound and music was more effective than outdoor theatres
• Because playhouses were indoors, the set and costumes could get reused regularly as they weren't ruined by weather

Who were the actors of Shakespeare’s plays and how did the experience of being an actor differ from the experience today?

In Shakespearean time actors were called players. All of the female characters were played by young boys, most of which were part of a company called the Children of the Chapel Royal. Travelling actors were not trusted in society. If they were to perform they'd have to prove their right to be there with licenses and making sure they met regulations because everyone would approach them with suspicion. However, actors who worked in purpose built theatres were very popular in society and were treated with great respect. Actors were part of companies and their size depended on how wealthy the company was and where they were working. A wealthy company would have 8 - 12 men and 3 - 4 boys.