1. Booing and Hissing: Audience members would boo and hiss loudly during the performance. These sounds served as a clear sign to the actors and the theater company that the audience was not pleased.
2. Throwing Objects: In some cases, audience members would throw objects at the stage, such as rotten fruits, vegetables, or even small coins, as a way to express their discontent. This was an extreme form of disapproval.
3. Shouting and Jeering: Audience members might shout, jeer, and make various derogatory comments throughout the performance. This boisterous behavior would disrupt the play and serve as a clear indication of dissatisfaction.
4. Walking Out: If a significant portion of the audience felt strongly about their disapproval, they could collectively leave the theater. Walking out was a symbolic gesture that demonstrated the audience's complete rejection of the play.
5. Public Criticism: After a performance, dissatisfied theatergoers might write negative reviews or critiques of the play. They could also express their displeasure through pamphlets, word of mouth, or even publications like broadsheets and newspapers.
It is important to note that these forms of expressing discontent were more prevalent in the Elizabethan period than they would be considered acceptable today. Playwrights and theater companies carefully considered audience feedback because their success and reputation heavily relied on the approval and patronage of the masses.