Here are a few ways Shakespeare's audience might recognize the commencement of a play:
1. Trumpets or Drums: It was customary for a short fanfare of trumpets or drums to be played just before the start of the performance. This would immediately capture the audience's attention and signal that the show was about to begin.
2. Prologue or Chorus: Many Shakespearean plays begin with a prologue or a chorus. The prologue is typically a short speech delivered by a character, often known as the "chorus," who provides a brief introduction to the play, sets the scene, and establishes the basic narrative context. The audience would recognize this as a clear indication of the play's commencement.
3. Entrance of the Actors: As the actors entered the stage to take up their roles, they often did so in a ceremonial or ritualistic manner. The audience would understand this movement onstage as a sign that the play was officially starting.
4. Audience Participation: In Shakespeare's time, the audience played a much more interactive role in the performance. They would often engage with the actors and characters through verbal responses, cheers, and laughter. The increase in audience participation at the beginning of a play was another indication that the show was underway.
5. Lighting Conditions: While the lighting of Shakespearean theatres was limited, some visual cues could still signal the start of the performance. For instance, the Globe theatre, where many of Shakespeare's plays were performed, had an open roof that allowed natural light to enter during the day. Performances usually took place in daylight, and the shift in lighting conditions as the sun set would indicate the play's beginning.
It is important to remember that these cues were more nuanced than today's conventions. The audience's familiarity with theatrical customs, their attentiveness to visual and auditory cues, and their active engagement with the performance itself all contributed to their understanding of when a Shakespearean play was beginning.