Renaissance Theatre

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 		Puritans, Politicians and Renaissance Theatre
Thriving theatres and performers treated with suspicion survived during the lifetime of Queen Elizabeth I, but later went into decline under pressure.
16th Century London Theatrical Venues
Queen Elizabeth fully supported the theatre but the London politicians did not, so traditional venues were utilized by acting companies.
Blackfriars Theatre in Renaissance London
A monastery built in 1278 by Dominican monks was closed in 1538 by Henry VIII, used as site of two theatres, and permanently closed in 1642 by Puritans.
The Shakespeare Identity and Authorship Problem
The man commonly known as the world's greatest playwright may have been a hoax. Discover why.
Texas Renaissance Festival is Live Theatre
The Texas Renaissance Festival in Plantersville is acclaimed as great entertainment. The Ren-Faire offers eight weekends of fun October 11 - November 30, 2008.
North Carolina Renaissance Festival Huntersville
Fairhaven opens the fall fantasy festival weekends October 4 - November 16, 2008. Medieval characters stroll recreated 16th century lanes for interactive outdoor theater.
The Elizabethan Swan Theatre
Elizabethan London's largest theatre began life as a competitor for Bankside's only other theatre, the Rose. Now it offers an interior glimpse into Shakespearean drama.
The Elizabethan "University Wits"
A group of English playwrights, collectively known as the University Wits, transformed popular drama during the Elizabethan era.
Webster's Women
A look at Websiter's portrayal of Vittoria Corombona in the first act of "The White Devil." (A' level set text).
The Revenger's Tragedy Film
A cast including Eddie Izzard, Christopher Ecclestone and Derek Jacobi camp and snarl their way through Middleton's violent and satirical revenge tragedy.
Poison and Catholicism
A look at the poison plots in Renaissance revenge drama shows their involvement with anti-Catholic thought.
Jonson's Comedies
Writing at the same time as Shakespeare, Ben Jonson developed his own comic style, relying on observation and satire over fantasy and romance.
Ben Jonson's The Alchemist
The most popular of Jonson's comedies, "The Alchemist" is still regularly performed today. But its appeal lies in more than simple speed and verbal dexterity.
Revenge Tragedies
When Elizabethan playwrights found the public loved gruesome tales of revenge, they embarked on a new genre. And it became a monster...