Elizabethan Times and Theatre

The Elizabethan Period
I don't about you but I assume this is a period of time ruled over and highly influenced by a woman named Elizabeth...?!

LET'S FIND OUT!

Here are the facts*: 

• Queen Elizabeth reigned over the UK from 1558-1603. 
• It was a period of time when people were judged on what they wore (I guess if people dressed alike, others would have thought it was in their jeans).
• The water was too dirty to drink so the poor drank and ale and the rick drank wine. (I don't think that was a particularly the grapest decision to make..)
• Queen Elizabeth is believed to have owned over 80 wigs. (who was she trying to impress?!)
• Women in the Elizabethan times were seen as inferior to men. (wow, so much has changed.)
• Non-attendance to the Church was punishable by law!
• It was only during this period of time in which the English were introduced to more exotic food and drink such as chocolate, potatoes, tea and coffee.
• Marriage and producing children were seen as a sort of 'top priority' during the Elizabethan times. This was so their children could carry on their family name and heritage.
• Elizabethan's were extremely superstitious. They feared witches, believed in magical animals and sought out good luck charms.
• Music, poetry, theatre and literacy flourished during this time. William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe and Edmund Spenser are among of the more famous playwrights and poets of this time period. 
• Disease, infection, poverty and occupational accidents could result in ones untimely demise. 

*..and a few bad puns.

Theatre During the Elizabethan Times

With theatre becoming a popular attraction during the Elizabethan Era, many playwrights rose to the occasion. Among these were William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe and John Fletcher. The playwrights and poets were the celebrities of the Elizabethan Era (watch out Leonardo DiCaprio) and were treated this way as well, often becoming close friends with the current reigning king or queen. These playwrights had busy but wealthy lifestyles.

If you think about theatre, most people will think of a group of talented men and women on a stage performing a play for an audience. 

Wrong.

It was illegal for women to perform on stage, resulting in men having to play women's roles. This was somewhat a dilemma for a few of the plays cast, in particular "Romeo and Juliet" by Shakespeare. 

(A great movie that delves a bit deeper into this subject is below.)

The first permanent theatre built during the Elizabethan Era was "The Red Lion". This theatre was a short-lived failure. 

Three other theatres that were built on the outskirts of London, England during the same time period were: The Globe, The Fortune and The Swan; all of which seated 2-3000 people. Stages were in the center of the seating and had hidden holes (trap doors) in the floor for effects such as REAL fire and REAL smoke.(i really like fire)

Shakespeare in association with Queen Elizabeth and Theatre

Shakespeare and Queen Elizabeth only became close acquaintances towards the end of her reign, in fact he was even born during her reign. Speculations rose regarding whether she could have possibly been his mother! Talk about scandal...

Queen Elizabeth, out of the very few plays of Shakespeare's she saw, raved on and on about their quality.

Queen Elizabeth personally provided a large fraction of the theatre and performance costs for Shakespeare. 

The Globe Theatre is most renowned for performing a large assortment of Shakespeare's plays. The theatre was built and managed by two actors. The Globe was split into six shares, one of which was Shakespeare's. In 1613, the original Globe Theatre went up in flames during the performance of Henry VIII. It has since been reconstructed twice. Rumours have risen stating that Shakespeare's "As You Like It" was written especially for The Globe Theatre. Still to this day performances can be seen at the theatre or at replicas in Tokyo and London. (added to bucket-list!)

Overall, the Elizabethan Era was a fashionable period of time in which Queen Elizabeth I ruled. Theatre additionally flourished (kinda like a flower) and playwrights were made celebrities. Queen E. also was trying to impress someone but we don't know who.

Until next time, thou qualling rump-fed fustilarian!