illustrated portrait of English playwright and poet William Shakespeare

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Student Question

How did the Globe Theater influence the types of plays performed and differ from today's theaters?

Quick answer:

The Globe Theatre significantly influenced play production by providing a dedicated venue for Shakespeare's troupe, the Chamberlain's Men, allowing audiences of all classes to enjoy performances together. This was a departure from earlier practices where plays were often performed in open courtyards or for nobles. Unlike today's theaters, which cater more to a "high culture" audience due to the prevalence of other entertainment forms like TV and movies, the Globe offered accessible entertainment for everyone.

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The Globe Theatre where many of Shakespeare's plays were performed helped the people to see the Chamberlain's Men (Shakespeares travelling acting troupe) at close quarters in a customized venue - it was built especially for them.

The theater was constructed (some say from 'borrowed staging' from other theaters!) during the Bard's first writing period. One of his 'friends' or 'patrons' could be said to be in  Cuthbert Burbage, brother of Richard -the most famous Shakespearean actor of the time, Richard Burbage.

Other 'patrons/friends' would have been associates of Burbage - they were assured of a steady source of excellent content for The Chamberlain's Men because Shakespeare was their writer. In fact, many of the so-called patrons were partners themselves as they belonged to the troupe (John Heminge, Augustine Phillips, Thomas Pope, Will Kempe, and, Shakespeare himself.) The Lord Chamberlain representing Queen Elizabeth) was a sponsor.

As to the audience or...

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the people - there were ticket prices to suit all, and the rich rubbed shoulders with the poor - that was probably the biggest effect of all - that the classes could mix in a cultural/entertainment venue.

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I agree with much of the above answer but would take issue with the second paragraph.

Plays before the establishment of theaters like The Globe were not exclusive.  Some were, but those were ones put on in the homes of nobles.  However, most plays were put on by strolling players or in the open courtyards of inns.  These plays would not have been reserved for the elite.  If anything, the elite would have shunned them.  So the theaters actually allow people of all classes to see plays at the same time (though not in the same conditions).

One thing I would add to the first answer is that plays today are much more "high culture" than they were in Elizabethan times.  The availability of TV and movies and such mean that the masses do not go to plays for everyday entertainment.  Instead, plays are more for people who see themselves as cultured than for "regular" people.

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