Acting in the Elizabethan Era


 During 1558-1603 AD Queen Elizabeth I ruled the English throne. 
Also during this time a young play write and actor named William
Shakespeare was performing his art.  This time was an excellent
time for play writes and actors such as Shakespeare to be plying
their trade. Theater was an entertainment that both rich and poor
people could afford. Although only the rich people could go to
indoor plays at night (with the aid of candle power), both the rich
and poor alike could go to outdoor plays.

 Acting was extremely difficult work during this time. You have to 
remember that during this time they didn't have the electricity to 
power the special effects that we have today. That means no big 
explosions and incredible computerized special effects. They had 
not yet perfected gun powder so they didn't have shoot outs. They
didn't have large open areas for car chases. All that the actors
had to work with was a very small stage. Considering this small 
stage, the plays were very well done.

 First off, the audience didn't have any large background scenery
to indicate where the play was taking place. Instead, the audience
had to rely on the lines given by the actors to tell them where the
scene was taking place. Large battles and the like were done by
often scene changes showing both enemy camps (both sides of the
battle). 

 Props were used extensively. Everything from the smallest reading
glasses to things as large as a table with food on it were used.
Also very rich and exquisite costumes were used. The use of
costumes allowed the actors the ability to get into their parts
more, and let the audience get a better idea of what the actors
were playing (noble person, beggar, sheriff, etc., etc.).

 Actors also had to be well educated in the art of sword fighting.
The audience liked nothing better than a well performed sword
fight. Pig and sheep blood was used for special effects during a
sword fight. The actors had to sway to the side barely missing a
sword thrust, and squeeze on the sack containing the blood, making
it spurt everywhere, therefore making it look realistic. It was not
unheard of for an actor to loose a hand, arm, or even an eye during
one of these duels. I'm sure that the audience really enjoyed it
when that happened. 

 Also actors were pressured to perform well because the audience
would have no problem throwing rotten eggs and vegetables at them
if they had a poor performance. Considering the time, the plays
were very well done using all the materials that were at hand. Some
of Shakespeare's plays are still being performed today more than
200 years later which is something that movie directors and actors
today can probably only dream of.