Shape and Structure:
During this period, most theaters were round or rectangular in shape and made of wood or other temporary materials. They were typically quite large, accommodating a large audience. They were open-air structures with a raised stage at one end.
Seating:
There was no seating as we know it today. The audience stood in front of the stage or sat on simple benches or stools if available. The best seats were usually located at the back of the theater, closest to the stage.
Audience:
Theatergoing was popular among all social classes, including nobles, merchants, artisans, and even the poor. Attending plays was a form of entertainment and a social event for people of all backgrounds.
Stage and Scenery:
Stages were relatively bare and had very little in the way of scenery or elaborate sets. Backdrops were often painted or made of simple cloth. Props and costumes were used to indicate time, place, and character.
Actors and Performance:
Actors were exclusively male during this era. Women weren't permitted on stage. Cross-dressing was common, with male actors playing female roles. Performances typically consisted of plays, which were often historical, mythological, or comedic in nature.
Lighting:
Theaters did not have electric lighting, so performances relied on natural daylight. Performances usually began in the afternoon to make use of the available light. In some cases, candles or other forms of artificial lighting might have been used for special effects or nighttime performances.
Overall, theaters during the Elizabethan era were quite different from modern theaters in terms of their structure, seating, stagecraft, and audience experience. They reflected the social, cultural, and artistic sensibilities of the time and laid the foundation for the development of modern theater as we know it today.