BLACKFRIARS
The original monastery was built in 1275 and came to be known as " Blackfriars " due to the black robes worn by the Dominican Monks who occupied the monastery. The City of London prior to the dissolution of the monasteries in 1538 was extensively inhabited by religious estates in the form of monasteries, convents and churches and images from the time show a densely steepled skyline. The origins of the Reformation and Dissolution are complex and there are many internet sites and detailed books and research on the subject but suffice to say one consequence of the reformation established in the minds of the time the image of an island nation, separate and supreme, and it takes a writer of greatness to embody this idea - an idea that has and continues to inspire our now broader kingdom through its darkest times. There may always be questions regarding the true identity of William Shakespeare but there is no debate about the quality of the writing or to the depth and breadth of the content for in this little ice age change was occurring to the London population mentally. Shakespeare, it could be said was the first and greatest psychologist.
This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,--
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.
William Shakespeare, "King Richard II", Act 2 scene 1
It is one of the paradoxes of our time that we should be seeking to rid Shakespeare from the education curriculum and for a nation to be asked to debate the question of what our national identity is.
The new playhouse bought a new audience, for the Blackfriars area in Shakespeare's time was an upmarket area to live. The admission costs were more expensive than at the Globe and consequently it was the courtiers and wealthy Londoners who attended this more intimate theatre. A new style of playwriting was produced in part inspired by the collaboration of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher who had been writing stage romances since 1607. It was in the hallowed timespace of the following images that A Winter's Tale, The Tempest, Cymbeline and Pericles, Prince of Tyre were first performed.
From http://www.william-shakespeare.info/the-blackfriars-theatre-picture.htm
The Blackfriars Theatre - The Elizabethan Playhouse
In February, 1596, James Burbage, already having difficulty with the landlord of the Theatre, ( the site now being occupied by Foxtons in Shoreditch High
Street ), bought Blackfriars. Blackfriars was purchased from the executors of Sir Thomas Cawarden estate, who was the previous owner, for £600. These buildings, were in the old precinct of the Dominican monks or “Blackfriars preachers”, and had formed part of their monastery. The freehold was for a "collection of rooms, large and small, cellars and yards and including seven great upper rooms”, which had formerly been one great room. Burbage turned these rooms into an indoor or “private” playhouse. Although under the control of the crown, and not the city officials, who were staunchly against the theatre, the Chamberlin's men were unable to use Blackfriars as their winter venue due to the local residents determined protests.
In 1600, Richard Burbage leased the Blackfriars to Henry Evans for 21 years for £40 per annum, but in August 1608, Richard Burbage took back the lease from Evans, and William Shakespeare and other players became part owners of what was to become the Blackfriars Playhouse. Unlike the public open amphitheatres theatres, private theatres such as the Blackfriars had roofs and catered to the wealthy, although 'commoners' were also allowed, but the price was 2d, double the cost of the Globe.
Blackfriars was equipped with artificial lighting and other amenities that the other playhouses did not possess. Although smaller than the Globe, only seating 700, Blackfriars was still able to present various special effects due to its trap doors and wires and belts to hang props and lower actors. The troupe performed at Blackfriars during the winter months while continuing to spend the summers at the Globe. In 1619 the local residents again tried to close the theatre but failed due to the intervention of the Privy Council.
The King’s Men continued to use Blackfriars, without interruption, until 1642 when, as with the majority of theatres, it was closed during the English Civil War. The Blackfriars playhouse fell into disrepair, and was demolished on the 6th of August, 1655. The site is still commemorated by Playhouse Yard, close to Apothecaries' Hall.
http://www.william-shakespeare.info/the-blackfriars-theatre-picture.htm
The original monastery was built in 1275 and came to be known as " Blackfriars " due to the black robes worn by the Dominican Monks who occupied the monastery. The City of London prior to the dissolution of the monasteries in 1538 was extensively inhabited by religious estates in the form of monasteries, convents and churches and images from the time show a densely steepled skyline. The origins of the Reformation and Dissolution are complex and there are many internet sites and detailed books and research on the subject but suffice to say one consequence of the reformation established in the minds of the time the image of an island nation, separate and supreme, and it takes a writer of greatness to embody this idea - an idea that has and continues to inspire our now broader kingdom through its darkest times. There may always be questions regarding the true identity of William Shakespeare but there is no debate about the quality of the writing or to the depth and breadth of the content for in this little ice age change was occurring to the London population mentally. Shakespeare, it could be said was the first and greatest psychologist.
This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,--
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.
William Shakespeare, "King Richard II", Act 2 scene 1
It is one of the paradoxes of our time that we should be seeking to rid Shakespeare from the education curriculum and for a nation to be asked to debate the question of what our national identity is.
The new playhouse bought a new audience, for the Blackfriars area in Shakespeare's time was an upmarket area to live. The admission costs were more expensive than at the Globe and consequently it was the courtiers and wealthy Londoners who attended this more intimate theatre. A new style of playwriting was produced in part inspired by the collaboration of Francis Beaumont and John Fletcher who had been writing stage romances since 1607. It was in the hallowed timespace of the following images that A Winter's Tale, The Tempest, Cymbeline and Pericles, Prince of Tyre were first performed.
From http://www.william-shakespeare.info/the-blackfriars-theatre-picture.htm
The Blackfriars Theatre - The Elizabethan Playhouse
In February, 1596, James Burbage, already having difficulty with the landlord of the Theatre, ( the site now being occupied by Foxtons in Shoreditch High
Street ), bought Blackfriars. Blackfriars was purchased from the executors of Sir Thomas Cawarden estate, who was the previous owner, for £600. These buildings, were in the old precinct of the Dominican monks or “Blackfriars preachers”, and had formed part of their monastery. The freehold was for a "collection of rooms, large and small, cellars and yards and including seven great upper rooms”, which had formerly been one great room. Burbage turned these rooms into an indoor or “private” playhouse. Although under the control of the crown, and not the city officials, who were staunchly against the theatre, the Chamberlin's men were unable to use Blackfriars as their winter venue due to the local residents determined protests.
In 1600, Richard Burbage leased the Blackfriars to Henry Evans for 21 years for £40 per annum, but in August 1608, Richard Burbage took back the lease from Evans, and William Shakespeare and other players became part owners of what was to become the Blackfriars Playhouse. Unlike the public open amphitheatres theatres, private theatres such as the Blackfriars had roofs and catered to the wealthy, although 'commoners' were also allowed, but the price was 2d, double the cost of the Globe.
Blackfriars was equipped with artificial lighting and other amenities that the other playhouses did not possess. Although smaller than the Globe, only seating 700, Blackfriars was still able to present various special effects due to its trap doors and wires and belts to hang props and lower actors. The troupe performed at Blackfriars during the winter months while continuing to spend the summers at the Globe. In 1619 the local residents again tried to close the theatre but failed due to the intervention of the Privy Council.
The King’s Men continued to use Blackfriars, without interruption, until 1642 when, as with the majority of theatres, it was closed during the English Civil War. The Blackfriars playhouse fell into disrepair, and was demolished on the 6th of August, 1655. The site is still commemorated by Playhouse Yard, close to Apothecaries' Hall.
http://www.william-shakespeare.info/the-blackfriars-theatre-picture.htm
posted by Chris D'Santos at 11:41 AM
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