* The theatres were often crowded and unsanitary. The Globe theatre, for example, could hold up to 3,000 people, and there was no seating for most of them. The audience would stand or sit on the ground, and there were no restrooms or concessions. As a result, the theatres were often dirty and smelly, and there was always the risk of disease.
* The performances were often long and demanding. Plays could last for several hours, and the actors would often perform in multiple plays in a single day. This meant that they had to be in good physical condition, and they often suffered from injuries.
* The theatres were also dangerous places. There were always the risks of fire, collapse, and violence. In 1599, for example, the Globe Theatre burned down, and in 1623, a fight broke out during a performance of Ben Jonson's play Bartholomew Fair, resulting in the death of one man.
Despite these dangers and discomforts, the Elizabethan theatre was a place of great creativity and innovation. It was a time when some of the greatest plays in the English language were written and performed, and it was a time when the theatre began to take its place as a major form of entertainment.
Here are some additional details about the conditions in Elizabethan theatres:
* The stages were often bare and unadorned. There were no elaborate sets or props, and the actors would often use their own clothing and furniture.
* The lighting was poor. The theatres were lit by candles or oil lamps, and the light was often dim and flickering.
* The sound was often muffled. The theatres were not built for acoustics, and the actors' voices would often be drowned out by the noise of the audience.
* The audiences were often rowdy and unruly. The audience would often heckle the actors, and there were frequent fights and disturbances.
Despite these challenges, the Elizabethan theatre was a place of great vitality and excitement. It was a time when some of the greatest plays in the English language were written and performed, and it was a time when the theatre began to take its place as a major form of entertainment.