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All outdoor playhouses had:
• a central yard that was open to the sky;
• a raised stage sticking out into the yard;
• a roof over the stage, which was called ‘the heavens’,
although the first Rose theatre (1587-92) may not have
had one;
• a tiring house behind the stage with a backstage area,
where actors dressed and waited to come on. Above
this were lords’ rooms, rooms for storage, and a room
level with ‘the heavens’ to work the special effects from;
• galleried seating all around the yard, on several levels,
which was roofed.

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There were practical reasons why some plays were
better suited to indoor theatres. Indoor theatres had a
small stage (about half the size of an outdoor theatre’s
stage). There were also stools allowed on the stage: the
most expensive seats, where rich ‘gallants’ sat to be seen
as well as to watch. This gave the actors far less space
for big battles or crowd scenes. On the other hand, the
smaller space and the candlelight enhanced a play’s
magical effects.

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Who acted in indoor theatres?
Until 1609 the indoor theatres were used by boy
companies. Adult companies played at the outdoor
playhouses.

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How were they different to outdoor playhouses?
Indoor theatres were:
• smaller than outdoor playhouses, holding about 500
people, not thousands.
• built inside an existing building, so not open to the sky.
• more expensive (ranging from 6d to 2s and 6d),
compared with open yard standing (at 1d) as in
outdoor playhouses.
• lit by candles as well as daylight through the windows.

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BUILDING MATERIALS

Most playhouses had a brick base with

timber-framed walls. The gaps between

the timbers were filled with sticks, hair

and plaster. The roofs were made from

thatch or tile

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WHY BUILDING PLAYHOUSES IN THE SOUTH OF THE THAMES

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WHY BUILDING PLAYHOUSES IN THE SOUTH OF THE THAMES

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Because in the south of the Thames there were attractions for the entertainment of people.
For example theatres or taverns were people could by food or drink.

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The next theatre was built just outside the city walls.

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The first playhouse was built in 1567 and it was called THE RED LION.

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PLAYHOUSES

There were two different types of playhouse in

London during Shakespeare’s time. There were

outdoor playhouses, also known as ‘amphitheatres’

or ‘public’ playhouses, and indoor playhouses, also

known as ‘halls’ or ‘private’ playhouses. These

were very different theatres that attracted different

types of audiences.