The theatre

 

People in Tudor times made their own amusements, such as music and dancing. But it was a special treat to see a play. This was very rare, for outside London there were no theatres. Once in a while, though, a band of travelling players arrived in a town and put on a show.

 

In the 1570s, the first theatres were opened in London. They looked just like inn yards. Some of the spectators sat in the galleries round the sides, overlooking the stage. Rich lords sat on the edge of the stage, and sometimes joined in the play. The 'groundlings' - the poorer folk - stood in the pit.

 

In many ways, the theatres were different from those of today. There were no lights, so the plays were staged in daylight. There were no curtains, and there was very little scenery. The actors wore normal clothes, not special costumes, and boys took all the women's parts.

 

The greatest of the playwrights was William Shakespeare. As a young man, he came down to London from Stratford-upon-Avon. He joined a group of actors, started writing plays, and became famous. After his death his plays (more than thirty of them) were printed. They have been read ever since, and acted in theatres all over the world.

 

Puritans did not like the theatres. When they were in power, in the 1640s, they closed the theatres down. When Charles II was restored, though, they were opened up again. There were some changes - now the theatres had roofs, lights (candles), and curtains. Also, for the first time in England, women took part in the plays.

 

Walter Robson: Crown, Parliament and People; Oxford University Press, 1992/2002, page 94