On the very left, Unknown 1600, Coronation of Queen Elizabeth, Painting, Wikipedia, accessed 21 March 2014,in the middle to the left, Unknown 1546, Portrait of Elizabeth I as a Princess, Painting, Wikipedia, accessed 21 March 2014, in the middle on the right, Marcus Gheeraerts the Younger 1595, queen Elizabeth I, Painting, Wikipedia, accessed 21 March 2014 and on the very right, Gower, G 1588, Elizabeth 1 of England, Portrait, Wikipedia, accessed 21 March 2014,
How it Began
English Renaissance Theatre, also known as Elizabethan theatre, began in 1576 and was a thriving success with the popular life of William Shakespeare. Shakespeare wrote many poems and plays such as Mac Beth and he wrote the famous version of Romeo and Juliet. More about Shakespeare's life and other important legends in Significant People Page.
Elizabethan was popular during 1558 - 1603 when Queen Elizabeth 1 reigned. It formed from many different sources. An important source was the "Mystery plays" that were part of religious festivals in England and parts of Europe in the Middle Ages. The "Mystery plays" were retellings of legends and stories based on biblical themes, originally performed in churches and religious areas, but later becoming more linked to the celebrations that grew up around religious festivals. Other reasons/sources include the morality plays that turned into the mysteries: the "University drama" that attempted to recreate Greek tragedy. Later, in the 17th century, the Commedia dell'arte frequently presented at court came to play roles in the shaping of public theatre.
The plays soon went from in the backyard or small inns, to performing in massive amphitheatres in front of millions of enthusiastic audiences and royalty. But there were only three different venues they would perform at and they were Inn yards, which had a audience capacity of up to 500, Open air Amphitheatres, had an audience capacity of 1500 to 3000 people, and Indoor Playhouses, which had an audience capacity of 500 people but was more expensive and well run.
Elizabethan was popular during 1558 - 1603 when Queen Elizabeth 1 reigned. It formed from many different sources. An important source was the "Mystery plays" that were part of religious festivals in England and parts of Europe in the Middle Ages. The "Mystery plays" were retellings of legends and stories based on biblical themes, originally performed in churches and religious areas, but later becoming more linked to the celebrations that grew up around religious festivals. Other reasons/sources include the morality plays that turned into the mysteries: the "University drama" that attempted to recreate Greek tragedy. Later, in the 17th century, the Commedia dell'arte frequently presented at court came to play roles in the shaping of public theatre.
The plays soon went from in the backyard or small inns, to performing in massive amphitheatres in front of millions of enthusiastic audiences and royalty. But there were only three different venues they would perform at and they were Inn yards, which had a audience capacity of up to 500, Open air Amphitheatres, had an audience capacity of 1500 to 3000 people, and Indoor Playhouses, which had an audience capacity of 500 people but was more expensive and well run.
on the left is an example of a Open air Amphitheatre, in the middle is a Inn yard and to the right is a Indoor Playhouse.