1. Open-Air vs. Enclosed Theatres: Elizabethan theatres, such as the Globe Theatre, were open-air structures, exposing audiences to the elements. In contrast, modern theatres are typically enclosed, providing controlled lighting, acoustics, and climate.
2. Audience Engagement and Participation: Elizabethan theatre encouraged active audience participation through cheering, booing, and heckling. Modern theatre experiences tend to be more passive, with audiences expected to maintain silence and focus on the stage.
3. Acting Techniques and Conventions: Elizabethan actors employed exaggerated gestures and vocal projection to convey emotions and messages to audiences in large, open-air theatres. Modern acting styles are often more naturalistic and subtle.
4. Costumes and Staging: Elizabethan theatre costumes were often flamboyant and symbolic, with an emphasis on portraying social status and character traits. Modern theatre costumes may prioritize realism, minimalism, or conceptual interpretations of the play. Staging techniques in the Elizabethan era were relatively simple compared to modern productions, which utilize advanced lighting, sound effects, and special effects.
5. Repertory System vs. Long Runs: Elizabethan theatre companies operated on a repertory system, where they would perform different plays on different days, allowing for greater variety in the plays presented. Modern theatres often run a single production for an extended period, known as a long run.
6. Audience Demographics and Social Context: Elizabethan theatre audiences were diverse, ranging from the upper classes to the lower classes, and the plays often reflected contemporary social and political issues. Modern theatre audiences may have different demographic compositions, and the plays presented may reflect current social, cultural, and political themes.
7. Technological Advancements: Modern theatres benefit from advancements in lighting, sound, video projection, and other technical elements, which enhance the overall theatrical experience. These advancements were not available to Elizabethan theatre productions.
8. Gender Roles: In Elizabethan theatre, all roles, including female characters, were played by male actors. Modern theatre allows for actors of both genders to play a wider variety of roles, increasing inclusivity and representation.
9. Playwright-Audience Relationship: In the Elizabethan era, playwrights such as William Shakespeare had a close relationship with their audience, often writing plays that resonated with their cultural context and everyday lives. Modern playwrights may have a broader or more diverse audience in mind, catering to different tastes and preferences.
These differences highlight the evolution of theatrical practices and the changing dynamics between theatre, audience, and society over time.