Public Theatres In The Elizabethan Era

In the Elizabethan era, theatre designs intensified the appeal of drama. During this time, there were primarily two types of theatres in Elizabethan England, public and private. Public theatres were opened and outside. Private theatres were enclosed with less people attending (Beck 318). Both types of theatres were open to anyone who could pay. Private playhouse productions were more expensive than the public, were much smaller, and had a more select audience (Trumbell). No matter what social class one was a part of, the afternoon plays were still very popular (Beck 318). Theatres during the era were beneficial to the economy as well (Alchin). Private and public theatres were the two types of theatres in Elizabethan England, and provided a booming business for the era. One of the main theatres in the Elizabethan era were public theatres. Most of the time these theatres were located in the suburbs. For

At first, private playhouses could only be located in the city of London. Only six existed at the time and the wealthy mostly attended. The very first private theatres were called Paul’s playhouse, and the first and second Blackfriar (Narey). The private theatres were a considerable amount smaller than the public theatre, and they were also roofed. Private theatres have about one fourth to one half the seating capacity that a public did. Something really popular about private theatres was that they could be used year round unlike public (Trumbell). Many winter productions were performed inside a private theatre. For the most part, only gentlemen and nobles attended the private plays. Modern scholars used the word “select” to describe the audience.Unlike public theatres, at private theatres all guest were seated (Narey). All viewers sat either in the pit, galleries, or even in private boxes (Trumbell). The cost was sixpence or more (Narey). By the year 1642, there were 6 private theatres in London