What was important about Elizabethan theatre?

Elizabethan theatre was important because it created groups of professional actors who performed regular and cheap plays for the public in purpose-built theatres. The most famous playwright of this period was William Shakespeare.

What was Elizabethan theatre based on?

The subject of many Elizabethan plays was historical events, especially from Greek and Roman antiquity. Medieval kings were also a popular subject, as seen in the plays of William Shakespeare.

What was the name of the most famous Elizabethan theatre?

The most famous Elizabethan theatre was the Globe Theatre in London which opened in 1599. Circular and made of wood, the Globe showed many of William Shakespeare's plays such as 'Romeo and Juliet'.

Elizabethan Theatre Timeline

Definition

Elizabethan theatre, sometimes called English Renaissance theatre, refers to that style of performance plays which blossomed during the reign of Elizabeth I of England (r. 1558-1603) and which continued under her Stuart successors. Elizabethan theatre witnessed the first professional actors who belonged to touring troupes and who performed plays of blank verse with entertaining non-religious themes.

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Timeline

1559
Elizabeth Io England prohibits the performance of unlicensed plays.
1564 - 1616
Life of William Shakespeare.
1564 - 1593
Life of the English poet and playwright Christopher Marlowe.
1572
Only nobles are now permitted to sponsor plays and acting companies.
1572 - 1637
Life of the poet and playwright Ben Jonson.
1574
Introduction of licensing for all acting companies in England.
1576
The first purpose-built and permanent theatre in England is built in London, the Theatre.
1585
The first performance of Richard Tarlton's 'Seven Deadly Sins'.
1587
The Rose theatre opens in London.
c. 1587
The first performance of Christopher Marlowe's 'Tamburlaine the Great'.
c. 1589
William Shakespeare writes his first play, 'Henry VI Part I'.
1592
A wave of Black Death plague closes all theatres in London for one year.
1595
The Swan theatre opens in London.
c. 1596
The first performance of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream'.
1597
The first performance of Ben Jonson's 'Isle of Dogs'.
1599
Opening of the Globe Theatre in London.
1599
The first performance of William Shakespeare's 'Henry V'.
c. 1601
The first performance of William Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'.
1606
The first performance of William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
1614
The Globe Theatre in London is rebuilt after the original was destroyed by fire.
1623
The First Folio is printed, a collection of 36 of William Shakespeare’s plays.
1642 - 1660
Puritans ensure the closure of all theatres in England.

Elizabethan Theatre

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Definition

Timeline