Renaissance Drama

During the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1 is known as the Elizabethan age in England. During this era a lot of discovery and prosperity as well as a lot of great achievements in the arts (especially drama) took place.

Many great playwrights begin to flourish during this era including: Thomas Kyd, Christopher Marlowe, William Shakespeare, Ben Jonson, John Marston, John Fletcher, John Webster, Thomas Middleton and John Ford.

A famous actor from Shakespearian plays built the first building made especially for the plays in England. This building was called The Theater. Soon more buildings were built such as the Swan, the Globe, the Rose, the Fortune and the Hope. Because most of these theaters were open air it restricted performances from happening during the winter time.

People theaters were built maybe people were preformed in a square inn yard, with a balcony above. The audience looked out either their windows or stood in the court yard to watch. One of the earliest locations is the Inns of Court. Most of these earlier theaters were often octagonal or circular. As well as approximately half of the area over the stage was roofed and contained machinery to lower actors from the "heavens"; it was painted blue with stars to mimic the sky.

The entrance fee to most theaters was a penny, which is about five to ten dollars in today's money. A lot of the plays put on by Shakespeare were given in public playhouses open to everybody!

The Elizabethan masque was a special entertainment