The Theatre

This article is about one specific theatre in London; for information on theatres in general, see Theatre.

The Theatre was an Elizabethan playhouse located in Shoreditch (part of the modern Borough of Hackney), just outside the City of London. Built by actor James Burbage, The Theatre is considered the first theatre built in London for the sole purpose of theatrical productions. The Theatre's history includes a number of important acting troupes including the Lord Chamberlain's Men which hired Shakespeare as its playwright. When problems arose over the property the theatre was constructed on, the theatre was dismantled and used in the construction of the Globe Theatre.

Construction

The Theatre was constructed in 1576 by James Burbage in partnership with his brother-in-law John Brayne on property that had originally been the grounds of a former priory that had been dissolved. The location of The Theatre was in Shoreditch, just outside of the City of London and thus outside the jurisdiction of civil authorities who were often opposed to the theatre. The location, following the construction of The Theatre, became a popular location for theatres.

"This wooden O"

The design of The Theatre was adapted from the inn-yards and bear baiting pits that had served as playing spaces for actors. The building was a polygonal wooden building with three galleries that surrounded an open yard. In Shakespeare's Henry V, the chorus' speech describes the theatre as, "This wooden O." From one side of the polygon extended a thrust stage. In order to make the theatre profitable, it is possible that the stage was removable to allow animal baiting.

The open yard in front of the stage was standing room for those only paying a penny. For another penny, audience members were allowed into the galleries where they either stood or, for a third penny, could procure a stool. One of the galleries, though sources do not know which, was divided into small compartments that could be used by the wealthy and aristocrats.

History

The Theatre opened in the fall of 1576 with acting company of Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester of which James Burbage was an actor. Leiscester's Men remained at The Theatre until sometime in the 1580s when the Admiral's Men, of which James Burbage's son, Richard was a member took up residence. After a disagreement between the company and young Burbage broke out, most of the company left for the Rose Theatre which was under the management of Philip Henslowe.

In 1594, Richard Burbage became the leading actor of the Lord Chamberlain's Men. It was this company that hired Shakespeare as their playwright. Likely, before the theatre was moved, Hamlet was premiered here.

Foundation of the Globe

Towards the end of 1596, problems arose with the property's landlord. In 1597, the Lord Chamberlain's Men moved to the Curtain Theatre. The lease, which had been granted to Richard Burbage and his brother upon the death of their father, expired the following year. Carpenter Peter Street was given instructions to dismantle the theatre and the structure was moved piecemeal across the Thames. The pieces of the theatre were then used in the construction of the Globe Theatre.

No remains of The Theatre survive. Its former site is located on New Inn Road, Shoreditch.

References

Hartnoll, Phyllis, ed. The Oxford Companion to the Theatre. 4th edition. London:Oxford UP, 1983. p. 964.
Thomson, Peter. "The Theatre". in Banham, Martin, ed. The Cambridge Guide to Theatre, London: Cambridge UP, 1992.