London, Shakespeare and the Globe

Shakespeare wrote many of his plays in the Elizabethan Period, 1558-1603. This period is named for the forty five-year reign of Elizabeth I of England. During this period England was a very patriotic state, devoted to country, trade, and growth of knowledge, adventure and restlessness. Britain was the world's largest and most powerful trading power.

London, during Shakespeare's time was a congested city with narrow streets and loud noises of carriages and hawkers selling their wares. There was no drainage and garbage and chamberpots were emptied from windows directly onto the streets. The punishment for criminals was severe. Sometimes criminals were chained to the banks of a river. The people of London never drank the water because it was to polluted. Tea was an unknown beverage at this time thus strong ale was the normal drink. London was an exciting place to live during this period, as there were many cultural events.

Drama during the Elizabethan Period grew out of the church. Ironically, this is the institution that had so much to do with trying to suppress acting because it was seen as an invention of the devil. In the 9^th century, an addition of music and dialogue was added to Mass services. This gave rise too tiny plays dealing with biblical events, like the birth if Christ etc. Plays began in the very churches that tried to outlaw them!

As these plays grew more detailed and increased the numbers of speaking parts, it became more convenient to move the performances to the out of doors. By removing the plays from the church, they became more popular, longer and they had more dramatic interest and elaborate stagings.

In the Elizabethan period, plays commanded huge audiences even though London authorities disapproved of the drama and would not allow theaters to be built within city walls. Plays were thought to be immoral, so the theaters were built just outside the city limits. Plays were presented during the day because they were performed outdoors and depended on the sun for lighting. When the theaters were built, they looked like the courtyards of inns with spectators standing on the ground or looking out of windows. The audience was required to visualize settings for themselves. Theater going was very popular and attracted all classes.

Seating arrangements were similar in all London's theaters. The Groundlings, or masses paid one penny to stand or sit on the ground in front of the stage. The Gentry sat in the middle galleries around the stage for the price of two pennies. This area was also known as the "Two-Penny Rooms". The aristocracy sat in the top galleries with pillows for three pennies. Some wealthy people got chairs on the stage. For twelve pennies, wealthy people could sit in the "Lord's Room", next to the stage.

James Burbage, an actor, built the first permanent theater in London. This theater was built in 1576 and some 20 years later when lease difficulties arose, James' sons dismantled the theater and moved it across the river. This new theater was known as The Globe Theater. It opened in 1599. Most of Shakespeare's plays were written and performed at the Globe Theater. This was a structure with eight sides and an opening at the top to allow light. The theater opened in 1599 and burned down in 1613. It was rebuilt on the same site in 1614, without Shakespeare, but it was closed about thirty years later by Puritan governments who deemed acting as sinful and immoral.

Shakespeare, who had 10% ownership, managed the original Globe Theater. In addition to acting in the theater's plays, Shakespeare wrote plays, paid bills and hired actors. The Globe presented a new play every three weeks so Shakespeare and his actors had little time to rehearse or to polish their productions. To complicate things even more, each actor played more than one role in the play. The actors were all male. Young boys played the female roles. The first woman to appear on stage was in 1660. The general attitude towards actors was negative. They were seen as beggars and rogues. This is the reason why most actors joined companies for protection and support.

Shakespeare was the first to include some special effects in his productions at the globe. He had trap doors installed and thus ghosts and demons were able to rise up onto the stage. Blood was also a huge attraction at the theater so actors would prepare bags of pig's blood and guts. These were hidden under their costumes and when a murder or fatal wound was necessary for their character, they would pierce the bag with a sword and out came the gory contents. This delighted the audience. If an audience were not happy with a performance, they would throw rotten eggs and vegetables onto the stage. Some of the groundlings would talk loudly to their friends, play cards and sometimes even fight one another. A particularly bad performance could cause a riot.

There were many ways to draw in an audience but one favorite was to have bear baiting. Bears were captured and chained to a stake inside a pit. A pack of dogs would be released, and they attacked the bear. The people paid a penny to witness this and would then place bets on whom would be the first to die. This event was especially popular with the working class Londoners. Payment of another penny bought then a ticket to the performance of the day. Members of the Gentry were creatures of pleasure and often chose an afternoon of theater over gaming, following harlots and drinking.

Despite all the obstacles and persecution, plays became the most popular source of entertainment in London. By the time Shakespeare died in 1616, there were more than thirty theaters in and around London. Even today, English theaters are considered some of the best in the world. Shakespeare would be proud!