In Shakespeare’s time theatre was their main entertainment, like films and television today. Plays were performed by theatre companies. A company would be supported by a rich patron. Shakespeare’s company was called the Chamberlain’s Men after their patron Lord Chamberlain. In 1603 their patron became James I, the King of England. After that they were known as the King’s Men. The company’s most famous actor was Richard Burbage. Women were not allowed to act in Shakespeare’s time, so all the female parts were performed by boys. From 1599 onwards, Shakespeare’s plays were performed at a theatre called The Globe. It was a huge wooden circle with no roof. The theatre could hold an audience of 3000. The company would do two performances a day. The plays were put on with fancy costumes, but with hardly any set. Musicians would play for the performances, and actors with small roles often played more than one part. Sometimes if audiences did not like the play they would shout at the actors, or riot!
Take a look at these books to find out more.
Welcome to the Globe: The Story of Shakespeare’s TheatreShakespeare’s Theatre
i wonder what it would be like if he were still alive…….
We think that shakespeare is weird
but it would be so cool if we were
there.