Conventions of Elizabethan Theatre:
Men played all roles:
During the rein of Queen Elizabeth (1558-1603), women were still not seen as equals. More so, they were not allowed to preform in plays. Men had the responsibility of playing all roles in a play. Boys went though long and hard days and nights of rehershal to master the perfect techniques to pass off as being a woman. Whether, the scene called for a mermaid, or a handsome prince, there were always a man behind the character.
Social Class
Elizabethan theatre was one of the few forms of entertainment that allowed all social classes to attend. Whether you were a rich noble with millions of miles of land, or a dirt poor tavern wife, you could attend theatre performances. Depending on what social class you were in (peasant, merchant, etc.) would determine your seating arrangements. The wealthier you were, the higher up you sat. The seats that were up high were much better because you could see more. The lower class sat at the bottom of the stage, and sometimes didn't even have seats. This was the most inexpensive place to sit. the people who sat here were called Groundlings, and if they were not satisfied with the preformance, they would throw rotten foods at the actors.
Stages
Most stages had no stage lighting, so most plays took place when the sun was highest in the sky. Most theatres were also outside. There were no curtains, and had little scenery. There were a lot of props, and sound effects. Also, actors would use specific dialogue to paint a picture of where the scene took place.