Shakespearean Playhouses / A History of English Theatres from the Beginnings to the Restoration

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

22397

Title

Shakespearean Playhouses / A History of English Theatres from the Beginnings to the Restoration

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Joseph Quincy Adams offers a definitive history of English theatres from the beginnings to the Restoration, correcting previous scholarship with fresh research into original sources. This volume details the rise of regular playhouses, replacing inadequate inn-yards, and explores the architecture, management, and cultural impact of seventeen major venues.

Summary up to 500 words

Joseph Quincy Adams' *Shakespearean Playhouses* offers a definitive history of English theatres from their origins to the Restoration, correcting long-held misconceptions through a rigorous examination of original documents. Before the construction of permanent structures, itinerant troupes performed in makeshift venues such as town-halls, churches, and, most frequently, the yards of carriers' inns. These inn-yards provided a practical solution, featuring open courts for standing audiences and galleries for the aristocracy, though actors relied on uncertain hat collections for income. As troupes grew wealthier and audiences expanded, these arrangements became untenable, prompting the dedication of large inns to dramatic purposes and the eventual rise of dedicated playhouses. Adams chronicles the history of seventeen regular and five temporary theatres, including the Theatre, Curtain, Globe, and Blackfriars. He details the evolution of stage design, the specific architectural plans of figures like Inigo Jones, and the complex relationship between the City of London and public entertainment, which was often hostile. The book traces the transition from strolling players to established companies and examines the regulatory role of the Office of the Revels. By comparing detailed records of each playhouse's operation, ownership, and fate, Adams sets aside previous conclusions, providing an independent interpretation of the English stage's development during the Tudor and Stuart eras. The work covers not only famous venues like the Globe but also lesser-known sites such as the Red Bull, Whitefriars, and the Cockpit-in-Court, offering a comprehensive view of the architectural and social history of the English theatre.

LLM editorial rating

4.5/5

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Categories

• Drama
• History