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Renaissance Theatre Renaissance = “rebirth” of art and learning; began in Italy in the 1300s and spread throughout Europe (1300s – 1600s) The Renaissance • Roman Catholic Church has lost much of its power and influence • Less emphasis on “religion,” more emphasis on man = humanism The Renaissance • Important for people to be educated and wellrounded (“renaissance man”) • Renewed interest in Greek and Roman influence • Invention of the printing press (Gutenberg) allows more people to read and gain access to publications (i.e. Aristotle’s The Poetics) Some People of the Renaissance… • • • • • Da Vinci Michelangelo Shakespeare Galileo Columbus Theatre During the Renaissance Italian Renaissance Theatre • Theatres are indoors (for wealthy). • The proscenium and proscenium arch develop. • Moving scenery (chariot and pole; shutter and groove –like sliding doors) Italian Renaissance Theatre • A scenographer was someone who designed everything from scenery to costumes • Actors were male and female Italian Renaissance Theatre • Court masques – written for the wealthy and nobility; often performed in their homes – music, poetry, dance – extravagant scenery and costumes; special effects Italian Renaissance Theatre • Other types of public (but expensive plays) – Comedy – Tragedy (heroic) – Intermezzi • Based on mythology • Extravagant costumes and scenery • Chorus • Evolved into opera Italian Renaissance Theatre • Commedia dell’arte – The common person’s theatre – Improvised comedy – Very physical and often sexual – Based on scenarios – Used stock characters – Slapstick comedy Commedia dell’arte Not much is known about how it began Clearly inspired by two ancient Roman writers of comedy: Plautus and Terence. Commedia dell’arte Usually 10-12 actors per troupe (male and female) Quick and witty Acrobatic, or at least able to do physical comedy Commedia dell’arte • Actors are given a scenario • They improvise the dialogue Commedia dell’arte • Slapstick comedy – Pratfall – Double-take – Spit-take – Exaggerated action and violence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qxaaJzln F0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNkvLDF 7JOY Commedia dell’arte Another major element of Commedia is the use of stock characters. A stock character is a stereotype of a person recognized by audience immediately • What “types” of characters do you recognize here? Commedia dell’arte • In Commedia, stock characters are identified by their costumes and masks; they are “types” of people that we still see today Commedia dell’arte Innamorati – Young lovers – Wealthy and attractive – Do not wear masks Commedia dell’arte The Masters • Pantalone – Greedy, sour old man • Dottore – Doctor who is clueless – Likes to hear himself talk • Capitano – Usually Spanish – Bragging soldier and coward – Driven by sex – A loner Commedia dell’arte Zanni (the Servants/Workers) • Arlecchino – Rascal servant – Also called Harlequin – Carries slapstick; very physical • Columbina – Clever servant – Sometimes Arlecchino’s mistress – Flirtatious but very smart Commedia dell’arte • Brighella – Cunning, looks out only for himself – Usually a high-ranking servant or tavern owner (worked hard to get there) • Pulcinello – Cruel servant – Often pretends to be stupid – becomes “Punch” • Scaramouche – Buffoon; boastful clown Commedia dell’arte • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_0TA XWt8hY The English Renaissance • Sometimes referred to as the Elizabethan Age or “the Golden Age” of England • Queen Elizabeth I ruled from 1558 to 1603 (Henry VIII; Bloody Mary) The English Renaissance • For years, England was divided by religious unrest • When Elizabeth I came to the throne in 1558, she had to deal with this • Eventually government banned religious theatre • Licensing Acts of 1559 – allowed for theatre under governmental control Development of English Renaissance Theatre • Actors had a bad reputation – vagabonds and thieves • During Bubonic Plague, regulations restricted travel—had to have a license Development of English Renaissance Theatre • Entertainers also needed licenses • English noblemen would buy licenses for their group of actors (acting troupe or company) – this protected them from harsh laws • The nobleman was their patron, and they performed to please him Development of English Renaissance Theatre • Sometime acting companies/troupes would perform in courtyards of inns and taverns (inn-yards) English Renaissance Theatre • Private theatre – – – – – – For the wealthy and nobility Indoors, candlelight, expensive By invitation only Organized by the Master of Revels Resembled proscenium stages in Italy Often performed court masques Development of English Renaissance Theatre • Then there were 9 public theatres* – – – – The Rose The Globe The Swan The Curtain -The Fortune -The Theatre -The Hope -and 2 others… *The theaters were built outside London city limits; flag announced play *All built in a similar style Development of English Renaissance Theatre • The first permanent public theatre in England was built in 1576. It was called the Theatre. • The design of it and other theatres was inspired by the Greek and Roman amphitheaters. Famous Playwrights from the English Renaissance • Christopher Marlowe • Thomas Kyd • Ben Jonson • But probably the most well-known was, yep, William Shakespeare! English Renaissance Theatre • Types of plays popular during this time period: – Comedies – Tragedies – History Plays English Renaissance Theatre only men and boys were allowed onstage young boys whose voices had not changed played women’s roles it would have been considered indecent for a woman to appear on stage English Renaissance Theatre no scenery—depended on language to set the scene elaborate costumes (actor’s responsibility; often hand-me-downs from the wealthy) open roofs—dependent on daylight and good weather! English Renaissance Theatre Audience size = about 2,000-2,500 general admission = 1 Penny entitled a spectator to be a “groundling” (someone who could stand in the yard/pit) more expensive seats were in the roofed galleries The Globe Theatre The Globe Theatre built in 1599 on the banks of the Thames River in Southwark, London (built from pieces of The Theatre!) Shakespeare was part owner; many of his plays were performed here His acting company was the Lord Chamberlain’s Men (and then the King’s Men) • • • • • • • flag tiring house heavens hell trap door galleries pit The Globe Theatre • Burned to ground in 1613; rebuilt but then destroyed in 1644 • A brand new Globe was built in 1997, close to the original location The English Renaissance • Especially during the rule of Elizabeth I, England was a great nation • Elizabeth I helped to make theatre popular and appreciated in England • Theatre was England’s greatest contribution to the Renaissance • Theatre continued to evolve in England until Oliver Cromwell came along…BOO, OLIVER CROMWELL!!! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3 VGa6Fp3zI