What was life like at the theater

The play houses of the Elizabethan times compared to today can hardly compare. In Elizabethan times all theaters were outside to allow sun in and provide light for the actors on stage. None of the plays had an intermission so many people just relived themselves on the ground, of course so would you if you had to hold it four hours. Today at theaters like the Guthrie and the Children’s Theater they are indoor and air conditioned and of course have intermissions to go to the bathroom. However not all the theater was sooo bad some could pay to sit up in the rafters and for a bit more money they could rent a cushion to sit on. Some called the “groundlings” had to stand in front of the stage which may sound like a good place to be but there is no seating for about four hours. Now days when you go to the theater all seats are padded and cushioned maybe not the most comfortable but still better than bare wood or standing.

Sources
Amanda Mabillard, “Shakespear.” Shakespeare’s Theatres. Online. Internet. October 24 2007. Available: http://www.shakespeare-online.com/theatre/