1. Public Playhouses:
- Open-air theaters that were built outside the city limits to avoid the restrictions imposed by the city authorities.
- The most famous public playhouse was the Globe Theatre, where many of Shakespeare's plays were first performed.
- These theaters had a circular or polygonal shape with a central stage surrounded by the audience on three sides.
- The performances took place during the daytime, as there was no artificial lighting.
2. Private Theaters:
- Located within the city limits and were more exclusive than public playhouses.
- They catered to a wealthier and more refined audience, who paid higher prices for admission.
- Private theaters were smaller than public playhouses and had more elaborate stage sets and lighting.
- Performances took place in the evening, and the theaters were often decorated with expensive furnishings.
Here are some additional details about theaters during Shakespeare's day:
- Acting Troupes: Plays were performed by acting troupes, which were companies of actors who traveled from town to town.
- Actors: Actors were mostly male, as women were not allowed to perform on stage.
- Audience: The audience was diverse and included people from all walks of life, from the lower classes to the nobility.
- Tickets: Tickets were sold at the theater door and prices varied depending on the location of the seat.
- Playbills: There were no printed playbills, so audiences relied on word of mouth and announcements to learn about upcoming performances.
- Stage Props: Props were minimal and often consisted of simple objects like chairs, tables, and swords.
- Costumes: Costumes were elaborate and often borrowed from the nobility or purchased secondhand.
- Music and Sound Effects: Music and sound effects were used sparingly, and they were often created by off-stage musicians and actors.
The theaters of Shakespeare's day provided a vibrant and exciting form of entertainment for Elizabethan audiences and played a significant role in shaping the development of English drama.