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William Shakespeare’s plays have the outstanding status of being in the midst
of the greatest in English language and literature. Historians have often
regarded the fact that the fame of Shakespeare basically rests on his
understanding of his human nature. Shakespearean theatre (Elizabethan
theatre) plays a vital role in Western culture and literature. Shakespeare’s
plays have utilized maximum possibilities of Elizabethan Theatre.

During the time of Queen Elizabeth, people were devoid of any religious
conflicts. They had peaceful life. They needed fun in their life. The audience
was interested in watching dramas during their leisure time. Apart from the
Royal family and the courtiers, even the common men, the groundlings
needed some places where they could enjoy watching plays. So, that was the
glorious time of great dramatists like Shakespeare, Ben Jonson and other
University Wits to showcase their ability in staging plays. Hence, many
playhouses were built in and around London.
Shakespeare performed at the globe and the black friars. Most plays of
Shakespeare were performed in the Globe Theater, built in 1599, where there
were inner and outer platforms. It was open to all. Working class peasants
paid a week's salary to buy a seat in the theater. The "groundlings" paid less
to stand in front of the stage for the show. The theater was really small with
the audience very much a part of the play. These productions were repeated
over many months time and the audiences got to know the actors' lines as
well as the stage actors saying them.
Facts of the globe theatre
It was built between 1597 and 1599 in Southwark on the south bank of
London’s River Thames.
The timber for The Globe Theatre was actually reused wood from “The
Theatre” – an earlier theatre owned by Richard Burbage’s father.
The Globe was built as a large, round, open air theatre. There was a roof
around the circumference which covered the seating area, leaving the theatre
looking like a doughnut from above.
The architectural style of The Globe was similar to the Coliseum in Rome, but
on a smaller scale - other Elizabethan theatres also followed this style of
architecture which were called amphitheatres
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The Globe had three stories of seating and was able to hold up to 3,000
spectators in its’ 100 foot diameter.
At the base of the stage was an area called “the pit” which held “the
groundlings” – people who paid just a penny to stand and watch a
performance
Colour coded flags were used outside the theatre to advertise the type of play
to be performed – a red flag for a history play, white for a comedy play and
black for a tragedy play.
A trumpet was sounded to announce to people that the play was about to
begin at the Globe Theatre in order for people to take their final places.
Outbreaks of the Bubonic Plague were so serious in London that the Globe
Theatre was forced to close in 1603 and 1608 to restrict its’ spread.
The Globe Theatre was burnt down in 1613 when a special effect on stage
went wrong. A cannon used for a performance of Henry VIII set light to the
thatched roof and the fire quickly spread, reportedly taking less than two hours
to burn down completely.
After burning down in 1613, The Globe Theatre was rebuilt on the same spot
in 1614.
The Puritans brought an end to The Globe Theatre in 1642 with an order
suppressing all stage plays.
In 1644, The Globe Theatre was turned into tenement housing, ending 85
years of turbulent history.
In 1997 a third version and faithful reconstruction of The Globe was built.

Theatrical Conventions of Shakespeare's Time

Techniques used on stage by the actors to create dramatic effects
Contribute to an overall performance style
Can be specific to a particular historical time period such as the Elizabethan
theatre (English Renaissance theatre)
Soliloquy and Aside
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One of the most distinctive features of Elizabethan theatre was the use of
soliloquy and aside
Soliloquy is when a character speaks to themselves on stage, while aside is when
a character speaks to the audience directly, without being heard by other
characters on stage
These conventions were used to convey a character’s thoughts and feelings, and
to give the audience insights into the plot and the characters’ motivations
Bloody Effects
Used to excite and astound the audience
Simplest would be a handkerchief soaked in blood
Bladders filled with the blood of animals such as sheep or bulls were concealed
beneath the actor's costumes which could be pierced by the points of daggers or
swords used in stage fights, or just a thump to the chest could produce a
gruesome death scene
Animal intestines, tongues and bones could also be used to enhance the effects
Masque & Eavesdropping
Masques were elaborate productions that combined dance, music, poetry, and
elaborate costumes and sets.
They were often performed at court, and were used to celebrate special
occasions, such as weddings and royal births.

Eavesdropping was a common plot device used in Elizabethan theatre. This

involved characters overhearing conversations they were not meant to hear,
which often led to dramatic revelations and plot twists.
Presentational Acting Style & dialogue
The acting style in Elizabethan theatre was highly presentational, with actors
using exaggerated gestures and vocal inflections to convey emotion and meaning.
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This style was influenced by the conventions of ancient Greek and Roman theatre,
which were popular during the Renaissance period.

Dialogue was a key element of Elizabethan theatre, with characters often

engaging in lengthy, poetic speeches that explored complex themes and ideas.
The language used in these plays was rich and poetic, with a focus on wordplay
and metaphor.
Trapdoors
Used for dramatic entrances during the performances of plays
Built in the floor of the stage (called Hell) and in the stage ceiling (the Heavens)
Height of the stage was five feet– so the area beneath the stage was easily big
enough to hold both actors and props
Actors, attached by a harness with wires or ropes, could make flying entrances on
to the stage and props could be lowered on to the stage through "the Heavens"
Play within a play & sound effects
This involved a play being performed within the larger context of another play,
often as a form of comic relief or to comment on the main plot.
Canons and Fireworks-Used during battle scenes to recreate the sounds of
battlefields
Musicians were employed to enhance the overall theatre experience
-They were housed in one of the balconies above the stage
Musical instruments such as the trumpet, chimes, bells or drums used to make
sounds coming from "Hell"

Stagecraft & Boys Performing Female Roles

Made up of elaborate costumes and rich dialogue to make up for the almost non
existent scenery
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Acting spaces were largely empty except for maybe a tree to signify a forest or a
throne for a kings palace
Costumes were so colourful and rich that the audience could tell the status of the
person from their costume
No stage lights so the plays were just preformed during daylight hours
At the time, it was frowned upon and deemed unsuitable for women as acting in a
play was considered to be rough and rowdy and not gentle
Women were not legally allowed to perform in plays on the English stage until
1660
Playwrights had no choice but to cast young men in the roles of women

The acting and staging conventions of Elizabethan theatre were diverse and
complex, and continue to influence modern theatre today. From the use of
soliloquy and aside to the elaborate productions of the masque, Elizabethan
theatre was a vibrant and exciting art form that pushed the boundaries of what
was possible on stage. As theatre continues to evolve and change, it is important
to remember the rich history and traditions that have shaped this art form into
what it is today.
Shakespeare in film and play production
The 20th and 21st centuries have seen a surge of interest in Shakespeare’s works
on the stage. Productions of his plays have become increasingly popular in the
modern era, with many directors taking creative liberties to make the works more
accessible to contemporary audiences.
Productions have been set in a variety of different time periods, with some even
being updated to modern day settings. In addition, some productions have
incorporated elements of other genres, such as musicals and comedies, to create
a unique interpretation of the plays. For example, a recent production at the Sam
Wanamaker Playhouse in London incorporated songs from The Smiths, a 1980s
rock band.
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Shakespeare’s works have also been adapted for the stage in a variety of
languages, including French, Spanish, and German. This has allowed for a more
diverse audience to appreciate the works, and has also allowed for directors to
explore the nuances of the language in a different way.

Productions have also been known to incorporate elements of dance, music, and
other forms of art to further enhance the experience for the audience. All of
these elements have helped to make Shakespeare’s works more accessible and
enjoyable for modern audiences.

Film adaptations
Film adaptations of Shakespeare’s works have been around since the early days of
cinema. The first adaptation of a Shakespeare play was a silent film of *Romeo
and Juliet* in 1908, and since then there have been numerous adaptations of his
plays, from the classic Laurence Olivier version of Hamlet to the modernized
While some adaptations remain faithful to the original text, others take a more
creative approach, changing the setting, characters, and even the plot itself.
The range of film adaptations of Shakespeare’s works is remarkable, from
Hollywood blockbusters to low-budget independent films. His works continue to
inspire directors – a testament to their timeless quality.