An Introduction to Shakespeare’s TheatrePart One

Born:26 April 1564

Died:23 April 1616

The memorial for Shakespeare in Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-Upon-Avon

ObjectivesIn this lesson you are going to find out about:• How theatre started • Ancient Greek Theatre• Greek actors• Greek costume & masks• Theatre layout

You will complete some Mini-Tasks and a Quiz. You also have to answer a Question about Romeo & Juliet in the End of Semester Exam.

An Introduction to Shakespeare’s TheatrePart One

An Introduction to Shakespeare’s Theatre

Starter Write down three things that you know about William Shakespeare and his theatre.

….and to start our introduction we are going to jump back in time 2½ thousand years to Ancient Greece around 500 BC.

Part 1 - The Theatre of Ancient GreeceThe Theatre At Epidavros Near Athens

The Theatre Festival Near Athens

Theatre as we know it today is thought to have started with festivals held each summer near Athens in ancient Greece. The festivals in honour of the God Dionysus, begun around 500 BC and ended around 200 BC with the fall of the Greek empire. The name of the first actor was Thespis who won the first competition in 532 BC and that is why today actors are sometimes called Thespians.

Mini Task 1• When did theatre start? • Where did it start? • Why were festivals held?• When Did they stop?• Why did they stop?• Who was the first actor?• Why is he remembered?

The Theatre Festival Near Athens

Theatre as we know it today is thought to have started with festivals held each summer near Athens in ancient Greece. The festivals in honour of the God Dionysus, begun around 500 BC and ended around 200 BC with the fall of the Greek empire. The name of the first actor was Thespis who won the first competition in 532 BC and that is why today actors are sometimes called Thespians.

Mini Task 1• When did theatre start? Around 500 BC.• Where did it start? Athens, Ancient Greece.• Why were festivals held? To honour of the God Dionysus.• When Did they stop? Around 200 BC• Why did they stop? The fall of the Greek Empire.• Who was the first actor? Thespis• Why is he remembered? He won the first competition.

The Plays

Three types of plays were performed for 9 hours each day of the festival, Tragedies, Comedies, and to end the day a farcical Satyr play. Only a few scraps of scenes from Satyr plays survive so we really don’t know what they were like other than very funny and very rude! At the end of the festival prizes would be awarded for the best plays and actors and punishments, including death, would also be given out to people who had misbehaved in the theatre.Mini Task 2• What were the three types of plays performed at the festivals? • Why don’t we know what Satyr plays were like?• What happened at the end of the festival?

The Plays

Three types of plays were performed for 9 hours each day of the festival, Tragedies, Comedies, and to end the day a farcical Satyr play. Only a few scraps of scenes from Satyr plays survive so we really don’t know what they were like other than very funny and very rude! At the end of the festival prizes would be awarded for the best plays and actors and punishments, including death, would also be given out to people who had misbehaved in the theatre.Mini Task 2• What were the three types of plays performed at the festivals?

Comedy, Tragedy & Satyr.• Why don’t we know what Satyr plays were like?

None survived.• What happened at the end of the festival?

Prizes and punishments were awarded.

The Audience

The festival was thought so important that every Athenian citizen was supposed to attend, even prisoners were released from prison so they could see the plays. The first theatres were built of wood with wooden seating on the sides of hills that made natural amphitheatres. During the 4th-3rd centuries BC these early theatre were replaced with more permanent stone structure like the one at Epidavros. Most people sat on the stone benches but at the front of the auditorium by the stage there were some seats with back for important members of the audience.Mini Task 3• Who went to the festival?• What were the first theatres built of?• What were later theatres built of?• Where were the theatres built?• Where did most people sit?

The Audience

The festival was thought so important that every Athenian citizen was supposed to attend, even prisoners were released from prison so they could see the plays. The first theatres were built of wood with wooden seating on the sides of hills that made natural amphitheatres. During the 4th-3rd centuries BC these early theatre were replaced with more permanent stone structure like the one at Epidavros. Most people sat on the stone benches but at the front of the auditorium by the stage there were some seats with back for important members of the audience.Mini Task 3• Who went to the festival? All Athenian citizens.• What were the first theatres built of? Wood.• What were later theatres built of? Stone• Where were the theatres built? On the sides of hills.• Where did most people sit? On stone benches (for 9 hours!!!)

An artists drawing of what the theatre at Epidavros near Athens might have looked like around 300 BC.

The Parts Of A Greek Theatre

Mini Task 4Draw and label a diagram of a Greek Theatre.

There were 3-5 main actors and a chorus of 12-15 singers/ dancers. All the actors were men and each actor would be expected to play a variety of roles in any play. However some actors only played serious parts in Tragedy while others were famous for the roles they played in Comedies.

Ancient Greek Actors

A Greek vase showing a group of actors resting backstage.

Mini Task 5• How many actors were there?• How many in the chorus?• How many parts in each production might an actor play?

There were 3-5 main actors and a chorus of 12-15 singers/ dancers. All the actors were men and each actor would be expected to play a variety of roles in any play. However some actors only played serious parts in Tragedy while others were famous for the roles they played in Comedies.

Ancient Greek Actors

A Greek vase showing a group of actors resting backstage.

Mini Task 5• How many actors were there? 3-5• How many in the chorus? 9-12• How many parts in each production might an actor play? Several

Examples of Greek Theatre Masks

Woman Man Old Man Boy Comedy

So they could change character quickly, Greek actors wore masks.

As well as masks, Ancient Greek actors wore long costumes . This also helped them to change character very quickly and this was important as there were only a few actors in each play to perform all the parts.

Costumes

A vase painting showing an actor holding a mask.

A fresco painting of Tragedy/comedy masks

The Masks, representing Comedy and Tragedy, have become the international symbol for theatre.Mini Task 5• Why did Greek actors wear long costumes and masks?• What are the two types of masks used to symbolise theatre?

Theatre’ Symbol

The Masks, representing Comedy and Tragedy, have become the international symbol for theatre.Mini Task 5• Why did Greek actors wear long costumes and masks? So they could change character quickly.• What are the two types of masks used to symbolise theatre? Comedy & Tragedy.

Theatre’ Symbol

End of Part One

An Introduction to Shakespeare’s TheatrePart Two – Medieval Theatre

ObjectivesIn this lesson you are going to find out about:• Why theatre started in England.• Mystery Cycles• Pageant Wagons• Chester and its Mystery Cycle.

You will complete some Mini-Tasks and a Quiz. You also have to answer a Question about Romeo & Juliet in the End of Semester Exam.

An Introduction to Shakespeare’s TheatrePart Two

Medieval Theatre We need to jump forward now about 1800 years from Ancient Greece to the Middle Ages in England. Theatre had ceased to exist after the fall of the Roman Empire. Church services in England were in Latin which ordinary, uneducated people did not speak. To help them understand the Bible, the priests in church started acting out stories from Bible at festival times like Christmas and Easter.

Mini Task 1• Why did priests in church start acting out scenes from the Bible?• When did they act the stories out?• Why couldn’t ordinary people understand church services?

Medieval Theatre We need to jump forward now about 1800 years from Ancient Greece to the Middle Ages in England. Theatre had ceased to exist after the fall of the Roman Empire. Church services in England were in Latin which ordinary, uneducated people did not speak. To help them understand the Bible, the priests in church started acting out stories from Bible at festival times like Christmas and Easter.Mini Task 1• Why did priests in church start acting out scenes from the Bible? To help people understand Bible stories.• When did they act the stories out? Festival times like Christmas & Easter.• Why couldn’t ordinary people understand church services? They were in Latin.

Medieval Mystery Plays Now there was nothing on the telly and wasn’t going to be for another 700 years, so these ‘plays’ became very popular; so popular in fact that they could no longer be held inside churches. So town craft guilds like the Candle-makers or the Shoemakers took over responsibility for performing one scene from the Bible story. For example the Shipmakers would perform the story of Noah and the Ark as the obviously knew about building boats. These scenes were performed on carts called Pageant Wagons that were taken around the town. They would stop at fixed points and the guild members would perform their scene.Mini Task 2• Who took over acting out the Bible stories?• What did the actors use as their stage?• Where were the scenes performed?

A drawing of a craft-guild stage cart.

Medieval Mystery PlaysNow there was nothing on the telly and wasn’t going to be for another 700 years, so these ‘plays’ became very popular; so popular in fact that they could no longer be held inside churches. So town craft guilds like the Candle-makers or the Shoemakers took over responsibility for performing one scene from the Bible story. For example the Shipmakers would perform the story of Noah and the Ark as the obviously knew about building boats. These scenes were performed on carts called Pageant Wagons that were taken around the town. They would stop at fixed points and the guild members would perform their scene.Mini Task 2• Who took over acting out the Bible stories? Craft Guilds.• What did the actors use as their stage? Carts or Pageant Wagons.• Where were the scenes performed? At various points around the town

Medieval Mystery PlaysEngraving depicting an early Chester Mystery Play

A Modern Day ‘Guild’ Cart from the York Cycle

Medieval Mystery Plays Copies of the scripts for some of these Mystery Cycles as they are called, have survived for nearly 1000 years and are still performed today in cities like Chester, York, Lincoln, Coventry and Wakefield. The York cycle has 48 scenes and the Chester Cycle 24. The Chester cycle is performed every five years and school, choir, band, drama and church groups volunteer to perform in it.Mini Task 3• How many scenes does the York cycle have?•How many scenes does the Chester cycle have?• Who performs the cycle of plays in Chester today?

A Pageant Wagon from the 2006 York Cycle production

Medieval Mystery Plays Copies of the scripts for some of these Mystery Cycles as they are called, have survived for nearly 1000 years and are still performed today in cities like Chester, York, Lincoln, Coventry and Wakefield. The York cycle has 48 scenes and the Chester Cycle 24. The Chester cycle is performed every five years and school, choir, band, drama and church groups volunteer to perform the various scenes in it.Mini Task 3•How many scenes does the York cycle have? 48•How many scenes does the Chester cycle have? 24• Who performs the cycle of plays in Chester today? School, drama , choir, band and church groups

A Pageant Wagon from the 2006 York Cycle production

Chester Today

Chester is a city that traces it’s history back to Roman times. The buildings you see here are about 700 years old and date from the late Middle Ages. The monument you can see below dates from 1476 and was the centre of the old city. It would have an important place to watch the Mystery plays from.

These shopping areas are called ‘The Rows’ and are still very popular with shoppers today.

End of Part Two - Next TimeShakespeare & The Globe Theatre

An Introduction to Shakespeare’s TheatrePart Three

Shakespeare & The Globe Theatre

ObjectivesIn this lesson you are going to find out about:• Shakespeare’s early life• Shakespeare's early

plays.• The Globe Theatre• 16th Century London

Theatre.You will complete some Mini-Tasks and a Quiz. You also have to answer a Question about Romeo & Juliet in the End of Semester Exam.

Shakespeare & The Globe TheatreEarly Life

The house of Shakespeare’s father, John.

Shakespeare is believed to have been born on 23rd April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon . Shakespeare probably began his education at the age of six or seven at the Stratford Grammar School and as was the case in all Elizabethan grammar schools, Latin was the primary language of learning. That Shakespeare acquired an impressive familiarity with the stories by Latin authors, as is evident from his plays and their sources.Mini Task 1• When was Shakespeare born?• Where did he go to school?• What language was he taught?• How did this help him later?

Shakespeare & The Globe TheatreEarly Life

The house of Shakespeare’s father, John.

Shakespeare is believed to have been born on 23rd April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon . Shakespeare probably began his education at the age of six or seven at the Stratford Grammar School and as was the case in all Elizabethan grammar schools, Latin was the primary language of learning. That Shakespeare acquired an impressive familiarity with the stories by Latin authors, as is evident from his plays and their sources.Mini Task 1• When was Shakespeare born? 23rd April 1564• Where did he go to school? Stratford Grammar School • What language was he taught? Latin• How did this help him later? He used the stories for his plays

Shakespeare & The Globe TheatreEarly Life

Ann Hathaway

Shakespeare married the 26-year-old Anne Hathaway in 1582 when he was 18. After the birth of his twins in 1585 Shakespeare seems to have ‘disappeared’ from all known records and does not re-appear until his plays start being performed in London in 1592.This period in Shakespeare's life has come to be known as the ‘lost years’. It is speculated that he did may jobs like being a schoolmaster or he may have gone abroad to Europe where he heard the stories he was later to turn into plays such as Romeo & Juliet.Mini Task 2• Who was Shakespeare's wife?•When did Shakespeare ‘disappear’?•What is Shakespeare supposed to have done in the ‘Lost Years’?

Shakespeare & The Globe TheatreEarly Life

Ann Hathaway

Shakespeare married the 26-year-old Anne Hathaway in 1582 when he was 18. After the birth of his twins in 1585 Shakespeare seems to have ‘disappeared’ from all known records and does not re-appear until his plays start being performed in London in 1592.This period in Shakespeare's life has come to be known as the ‘lost years’. It is speculated that he did may jobs like being a schoolmaster or he may have gone abroad to Europe where he heard the stories he was later to turn into plays such as Romeo & Juliet.Mini Task 2• Who was Shakespeare's wife? Ann Hathaway• When did Shakespeare ‘disappear’? 1585•What were the ‘Lost Years’? The years when Shakespeare disappears from all known records.• What is Shakespeare supposed to have done in the ‘Lost Years’? Been a schoolmaster or gone abroad.

Some biographers suggest that Shakespeare’s career probably began as an actor sometime in the mid-1580s. From 1594, Shakespeare's plays were performed by only the Lord Chamberlain's Men, a company owned by a group of players, including Shakespeare, that soon became the leading theatre company in London. After the death of Queen Elizabeth in 1603, the company was awarded a royal patent by the new king, James 1which allowed them to carry on acting. The company then changed its name to the King's Men.Mini Task 3• When did Shakespeare's acting career begin?• Who performed his plays from 1594-1603? • Who were the ‘Kings Men’?Patent: published orders from a monarch giving someone a specific right .

Shakespeare & The Globe TheatreEarly Work

Actors in Elizabethan costume

Some biographers suggest that Shakespeare’s career probably began as an actor sometime in the mid-1580s. From 1594, Shakespeare's plays were performed by only the Lord Chamberlain's Men, a company owned by a group of players, including Shakespeare, that soon became the leading theatre company in London. After the death of Queen Elizabeth in 1603, the company was awarded a royal patent by the new king, James 1which allowed them to carry on acting. The company then changed its name to the King's Men.Mini Task 3• When did Shakespeare's acting career begin? Mid 1580’s• Who performed his plays from 1594-1603? The Lord Chamberlain's Men• Who were the ‘Kings Men’? Shakespeare’s new acting company, formed by Royal Patent in 1603 after QE1 died.

Shakespeare & The Globe TheatreEarly Work

Actors in Elizabethan costume

Shakespeare & The Globe TheatreThe Blackfriars Indoor Theatre

In 1599, a partnership of company members, including Shakespeare, built their own theatre called The Globe, on the south bank of the River Thames. In 1608, the partnership also took over the Blackfriars indoor theatre which allowed them to perform plays in all weathers and throughout the year. Records of Shakespeare's property purchases and investments indicate that the company made him a wealthy man. In 1597, he bought New Place, the second-largest house in Stratford.Mini Task 4• What was Shakespeare’s new theatre called?• Where was it built?• What was his indoor theatre called?• How can you tell Shakespeare was a successful playwright in his own time?

A replica of the Blackfriars Theatre

Shakespeare & The Globe TheatreThe Blackfriars Indoor Theatre

In 1599, a partnership of company members, including Shakespeare, built their own theatre called The Globe, on the south bank of the River Thames. In 1608, the partnership also took over the Blackfriars indoor theatre which allowed them to perform plays in all weathers and throughout the year. Records of Shakespeare's property purchases and investments indicate that the company made him a wealthy man. In 1597, he bought New Place, the second-largest house in Stratford.Mini Task 4• What was Shakespeare’s new theatre called? The Globe• Where was it built? The South Bank of the river Thames• What was his indoor theatre called? The Blackfriars Theatre• How can you tell Shakespeare was a successful playwright in his own time? He was able to buy the second biggest house in his home town.

There are no contemporary drawings of any of Shakespeare’s theatres. What we know about The Globe we have learned from architectural plans from this period.

The only drawing in existence of an Elizabethan theatre is a tourist sketch. Johann DeWitts was a Dutch visitor to London and this is the drawing he made of The Swan theatre in London in 1595

Mini Task 5List 5 features of the Swan Theatre.

Shakespeare & The Globe TheatreThe Swan

Mini Task 5List 5 features of the Swan Theatre.Any of the following:• An open Air Theatre with no roof.• Galleried seating all round the stage.• Raised stage.• Two entrance doors at the back of the stage.• A gallery above the doors.• A roof over the back of the stage supported by two columns.• No scenery.• An open space in front of the stage (for the audience to stand in).

Shakespeare & The Globe TheatreThe Swan

Shakespeare & The Globe Theatre The Globe Theatre was built in 1599 by Shakespeare's company the Lord Chamberlain's Men, and destroyed by fire on 29 June 1613 by which time Shakespeare had retired back to Stratford-upon-Avon A second Globe Theatre was built on the same site by June 1614 and closed in 1642 because of the English Civil War.Mini Task 6• When was The globe built?• When was it destroyed?• Why was the second Globe closed?

A Model of the Globe Theatre

Shakespeare & The Globe Theatre The Globe Theatre was built in 1599 by Shakespeare's company the Lord Chamberlain's Men, and destroyed by fire on 29 June 1613 by which time Shakespeare had retired back to Stratford-upon-Avon A second Globe Theatre was built on the same site by June 1614 and closed in 1642 because of the English Civil War.Mini Task 6• When was The globe built? 1599• When was it destroyed? 29 June 1613 • Why was the second Globe closed? Because of the English Civil War.

A Model of the Globe Theatre

A cut away drawing of the Globe Theatre

Shakespeare & The Globe Theatre

In this diagram you can see the three Galleries of seating as well as the courtyard and canopy over the stage. In the Globe, plays were only performed during the daytime in the summer months. A flag was flown to show that a play was being performed. You could sit onthe benches for six-pence or a shilling (12d) but a cushion would cost an extra penny!Mini Task 7• When were plays Performed?• How would the audience know a play was to be performed?• How much did it cost to stand and watch the play?• How much to sit?

A cut away drawing of the Globe Theatre

Shakespeare & The Globe Theatre

In this diagram you can see the three Galleries of seating as well as the courtyard and canopy over the stage. In the Globe, plays were only performed during the daytime in the summer months. A flag was flown to show that a play was being performed. You could sit onthe benches for six-pence or a shilling (12d) but a cushion would cost an extra penny!Mini Task 7• When were plays Performed? During the daytime in the summer months.• How would the audience know a play was to be performed? A flag was flown.• How much did it cost to stand and watch the play? 1 d [penny]• How much to sit? 12 d or a shilling.

Shakespeare & The Globe TheatreThe New Globe Theatre

You can see from this authentic reconstruction of The Globe that the theatre was an ‘0’ shape with no central roof. There was a canopy over the stage to keep the actors dry and the gallery seats also had some shelter from the elements. But the people who stood in the courtyard to watch the play had no shelter from wind and rain at all. These patrons paid one penny to stand and watch the play and were known as ‘Groundlings.’Mini Task 8•How did the actors stay dry?• Who got wet?

Shakespeare & The Globe TheatreThe New Globe Theatre

You can see from this authentic reconstruction of The Globe that the theatre was an ‘0’ shape with no central roof. There was a canopy over the stage to keep the actors dry and the gallery seats also had some shelter from the elements. But the people who stood in the courtyard to watch the play had no shelter from wind and rain at all. These patrons were known as ‘Groundlings.’Mini Task 8•How did the actors stay dry? They performed under a canopy.• Who got wet? The ‘Groundlings.’

Shakespeare & The Globe TheatreThe Globe Stage

On this model you can see that the stage had three entrances at the back and a gallery with a balcony above the entrances. This was used for musicians but also came in handy for the ‘balcony scene’ in Romeo & Juliet. You can also see that two pillars were used to support the canopy. The stage also had a trapdoor which couldbe used for special effects like a ghost appearing.

Mini Task 9• How many entrances were there?• What was the balcony used for?• What was the trapdoor used for?

Shakespeare & The Globe TheatreThe Globe Stage

On this model you can see that the stage had three entrances at the back and a gallery with a balcony above the entrances. This was used for musicians but also came in handy for the ‘balcony scene’ in Romeo & Juliet. You can also see that two pillars were used to support the canopy. The stage also had a trapdoor which couldbe used for special effects like a ghost appearing.

Mini Task 9• How many entrances were there? 3.• What was the balcony used for? Musicians and the balcony scene from R & J.• What was the trapdoor used for? Special effects.

Shakespeare wrote three types of plays, Histories, Tragedies and Comedies. This is a list of his plays and the year of first performance.

You will need to know the name of one Comedy, Tragedy and History play for the Quiz and Mid-Tem exam. Mini Task 11: Write down one example of each.

Shakespeare & The Globe TheatreHis Last plays

After 1606–1607, Shakespeare wrote fewer plays, and none are attributed to him after 1613. His last three plays. The Winter’s Tale, The Tempest and Henry VIII were collaborations, probably with John Fletcher, who succeeded him as the house playwright for the King’s Men. The last play, Henry VIII [1612] was written about Queen Elizabeth I’s father. It seems odd that he left writing the last of the History plays until so long after Henry V which he wrote in 1598. But Henry VIII had a controversial life and married six times, divorcing two of his wives and having two others executed. So while Queen Elizabeth was alive, Shakespeare could not risk writing a play that criticised her father.Mini Task 12• What were Shakespeare's last three plays?• Why did he wait so long to write Henry VIII?

Henry VIII

Shakespeare & The Globe TheatreHis Last plays

After 1606–1607, Shakespeare wrote fewer plays, and none are attributed to him after 1613. His last three plays. The Winter’s Tale, The Tempest and Henry VIII were collaborations, probably with John Fletcher, who succeeded him as the house playwright for the King’s Men. The last play, Henry VIII [1612] was written about Queen Elizabeth I’s father. It seems odd that he left writing the last of the History plays until so long after Henry V which he wrote in 1598. But Henry VIII had a controversial life and married six times, divorcing two of his wives and having two others executed. So while Queen Elizabeth was alive, Shakespeare could not risk writing a play that criticised her father.Mini Task 12• What were Shakespeare's last three plays? The Winter’s Tale, The Tempest and Henry VIII • Why did he wait so long to write Henry VIII? He had to wait until Queen Elizabeth I died (and then a few years so everyone was not so fond of her!)

Henry VIII

Shakespeare & The Globe TheatreHis Legacy

Shakespeare's will scarcely mentions his wife, Anne, but he did leave her "my second best bed", This may seem an insult to Anne, but the best bed was reserved for guests, the second-best bed would have been the matrimonial bed and therefore rich in significance. He was buried in Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon. His real legacy though is the 36 plays he wrote which have intrigued and entertained audiences and scholars for 400 years.Mini Task 13• How many plays did Shakespeare write?• How long ago did Shakespeare die?Legacy: something (such as property or money) that is received from someone who has died.

Shakespeare’s monument in Holy

Trinity Church, Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Shakespeare died on 23 April 1616 and in his will, Shakespeare left the bulk of his large estate to his elder daughter Susanna.

Shakespeare & The Globe TheatreHis Legacy

Shakespeare's will scarcely mentions his wife, Anne, but he did leave her "my second best bed", This may seem an insult to Anne, but the best bed was reserved for guests, the second-best bed would have been the matrimonial bed and therefore rich in significance. He was buried in Trinity Church in Stratford-upon-Avon. His real legacy though is the 37 plays he wrote which have intrigued and entertained audiences and scholars for 400 years.Mini Task 13• How many plays did Shakespeare write? 37• How long ago did Shakespeare die? 398 years.Legacy: something (such as property or money) that is received from someone who has died.

Shakespeare’s monument in Holy

Trinity Church, Stratford-Upon-Avon.

Shakespeare died on 23 April 1616 and in his will, Shakespeare left the bulk of his large estate to his elder daughter Susanna.

The New Globe Theatre in London

The New Globe Theatre in London

The New Globe Theatre in London

The New Globe Theatre in London