1. Shape and Structure: Elizabethan playhouses were typically round or polygonal, with a central stage surrounded by a circular or polygonal "yard" where the groundlings (common people who paid a penny to stand and watch the performance) stood. The stage itself was a raised platform, often with multiple levels. Today, most theatres have a proscenium arch and a fixed seating arrangement with the stage at one end.
2. Roofing: Elizabethan playhouses were often partially roofed, with the stage and some seating covered, while other areas, especially the yard, were open to the elements. This is in contrast to modern theatres, which are typically fully enclosed and climate controlled.
3. Staging and Scenery: Elizabethan theatres relied heavily on elaborate costumes and acting to convey setting and atmosphere, as elaborate sets were not common. Today, theatres usually use movable scenery, lighting, and other technical effects to create a specific setting.
4. Audience Engagement: In Elizabethan times, audience members often interacted with the actors and the play, shouting out comments, cheering or heckling. This was due to the close proximity between the actors and the audience. Present-day theatres, on the other hand, emphasize a separation between the actors and the audience, with little or no direct interaction.
5. Lighting: Elizabethan theatres mainly used natural lighting, with performances taking place during the day or using candlelight at night. Modern theatres have sophisticated lighting systems that can create different moods, effects, and atmospheres.
6. Social Composition of the Audience: Elizabethan theatres attracted a wide mix of society, from the nobility and gentry to the commoners. Today, theatre audiences tend to be more homogenous in terms of social class and background.
7. Nature of Plays: Elizabethan theatre featured a diverse range of plays, including history plays, comedies, tragedies, and morality plays. Contemporary theatres offer a variety of genres, but there is a greater focus on realism and naturalism.
8. Actor Diversity: Elizabethan theatres had all-male casts, with boys or young men playing female roles. Today, theatres feature both male and female actors playing a full range of roles.
Overall, Elizabethan playhouses were unique venues that reflected the social, cultural, and artistic dynamics of their time, while modern theatres have evolved to embrace technological advancements, changing theatrical practices, and contemporary audience preferences.