The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-05-15
Play House in shatspeare's Time.

In SiIakspeare's time there were no less
than several principal theatres in LONDON, be.
sides such occasional houses as the Swan and
the Rose.
The Blackfriars, which Shakespeare join
ed In the first Instance, and never left, was
built III the year l75G. There was a space
III font to turn roachcs in, and part of the
ground is still called Playho,se-vard. The
Globe belonged TO the same company, and
was their summer house. There were plav.
bills Issued, containing only the name of,he
play. They were pasted up on POSTS and
hence the term "posters," now in,ii<crimn.
airly applied TO all bills pasted up on walls.
Hence, also, the term "Kuighrs OF the Post"
applied to the fellows who lurked about the
posts at The inns OF courts and the doors uf
the sheriff. ready to give tirti,ions bail or
lake false "atl,s. The Globe was open at
The top; the pit, separated from the Stage
hy la'lnS, was without floor or seats, and
ITS orcnpantS We're called "gruundlings,"
whose 'lnexpic,ble dumb show aud noise"
are ALLUDED 10 10y Hamlet. There was q
sraffoli for gallery, with boxes underneath,
anu 'le'"rchrsl,e. consisting chief V oftrum-
pets, c"rncts, liaus boys recorders an.l viuls,
were placed i'll lofty balcony, or upper
stnge-'~d. The price Of admission to the
boxes WAS Is, descending in others paris of
the house I" GIL, 2I., and III. The prices
were doubled, aud sometimes ,rcmblej a.,
the night of a new play.
lhe pcrf"rr,,mn e commenced ut / {; but
the hour WIS afterwards .!,cred to 8; which
continued through subsequent reiyus to the
i7tli century. The prosceniun was divided
from the stage by a curtain which opened
III the middle. At the first soun, of the
trumpet the curtain WAS opened; at the
'h'r'i tli' performance commenced by Pro.
l"g'te roilning in :, long vrlve, dress. There
were traverscs, or curtains at the back Of
the stage, ami balcony 10 represent battle.
'nenls or any other elevation that might b..
required. The changes "f scene were i..,li.
cal"d 10y sigm-boarls. The roof of the stage
was painted sky-tIue 10 represent heaven :;
AMI whrr a star'ess or t"mpc<tuous night
was required il was hung will, black.
l''r stag was lighted hv two branches,
an't The body of ll''. house hy cresse, lights,
formed OF ropes, wrea,f,ed and pitched,
AMI placed in open irou lanterns, ocra-
s'onaiiy intersmrsed with WAX iaIers in the
l~xes. The stags was strewn with rusl,ps.
Young ga'I"n's, entering through the firing
house, sat Oh the stools ON the stage, for
which they paid extra, to exhibit their tinery
aud play at cards. The audiences were gem
orally very vocitcrons. playing at cards, eat.
ing fruit, and smoking tobacco.
When tragedy WAS played. the stage
was hung will, black. Tie performance
generally lasted two hours, and ended with, a
dance. .i'. ...
Actors were pail hy shares-a primitive
system still Observed by MANY of the travel.
my booths inthc country. II was estimated
that 'firstra'e actor might realize about 9s.,
anight; orabont 600 yeer. The average,
receipts Of the Globe or Blackfriars, after de-
durtng tile daily expenses amounted to 46s.,
had been estimated ut about 60. ..'
Authors profits were derived either from
the sale Of the copyrights or l,y the proceeds
of the second night of performance, after
wards changed to the third. Shaksp peare is
said to have received f5 for Hamlet but tue
usual SUN for play was &c lbs. 4d.