How were Shakespeares plays performed?
Shakespeare’s plays were performed outside in the Globe theatre. Men/boys were the only actors. They did not have big elaborate set pieces or lighting. If it was “night” someone would come out on stage and declare “It’s night” or something of the sort. There were some special effects that were used, that actually caused the globe to catch fire more than once. There were trapdoors in the floor and fly space up above, a balcony that was used in many instances, etc. Everyone came to see Shakespeare’s plays, even the poor people. They were called the groundlings, and they paid one penny to see Shakespeare’s shows. They would stand in the area around the stage. Many of Shakespeare’s plays open with jokes of a sexual nature, and this is to attract the attention of the groundlings, who often found those jokes hilarious. Often times, if the plays were not liked, people would bring food and throw it at the performers. That’s why you sometimes see that tradition in cartoons, it actually occurred
