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WHO WERE THEATRE-GOERS IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND? WHAT WAS AN AUDIENCE LIKE IN ELIZABETHAN ENGLAND? //Answer prepared by Bryce P.//

Although Elizabethan theatre and William Shakespeare are almost synonymous with each other, Elizabethan audiences were not limited to Shakespeare’s plays. Others such as Christopher Marlowe, whom some consider to be superior to Shakespeare, were popular playwrights of the era.

Elizabethan theatre audiences attracted people of all social status: From basic commoners, all the way up to Queen Elizabeth herself. Plays were extremely popular since they connected with all social classes. The variety of play genres ranged from romantic tragedies to historical folktales. This variety was especially true in William Shakespeare’s works.

Although rural citizens enjoyed plays and had access to them, Londoners especially loved the theatre. Not only was it their opportunity to see great performances, but it also allowed them to socialize with each other. Queen Elizabeth herself loved watching plays. However, she never went to London’s public theatres to view them.

The first theatre was built at Shoreditch, London in 1576. Before this, plays were performed in courtyards or in nobles’ homes. After the Theatre (Shoreditch’s theatre’s name) was built, several others were constructed. This included the most famous theatre, the Globe (pictured below). The Globe, however, was only in service for 14 years due to cannon lighting the roof on fire during a 1613 play of //“King Henry VIII.”// Fortunately, the Globe was later rebuilt. London area theatres could entertain between 1,500 and 3,000 people. Most commoners stood in the ‘pit,’ an opening before the stage. The price of admission in the ‘pit’ was one penny. Masters of the gentry sat on cushioned gallery seats and rich nobles could sit in chairs onstage! There were no bathrooms, thus people had to relieve themselves outside in ditches.

Throughout the Elizabethan era, theatres were packed with joyful citizens and the theatres entertained all from England’s social classes. The only time theatres were not open or fully attended was during outbreaks of Bubonic plague in 1593 and 1608 when all Elizabethan theatres had to be closed due to the plague.

__Elizabethan Era.__ 15 Apr. 2009 [|http://elizabethan-era.org.uk]. __UK travel and heritage – Britain Express UK travel guide.__ 15 Apr. 2009 [].
 * Works Cited**