Director's notes for act 3 scene 1 Of Romeo and Juliet.
The play is set in Verona, a city that has its peace shattered by the feud between two prominent family's. The house of Montague and the house of Capulet. The chorus tells us that amongst this ancient grudge, a "pair of star crossed lovers" will take their lives and their deaths will extinguish their parent's rage.
Shakespeare's Theatre was called the Globe, It was constructed in 1599. It was the most elaborate and attractive theatre yet built. Underneath the floors of the outer and inner stage was a cellar named "hell", allowing for dramatic appearances of ghosts. Seating was limited to the front row and was open to the public eye. Scenery could not be changed because there was no curtain. So dead bodies had to be carried off. Due to the lack of props and scenery they relied heavily on costumes. The theatre had no artificial light so all plays had to be done in the day.
The play is set in Verona, a city that has its peace shattered by the feud between two prominent family's. The house of Montague and the house of Capulet. The chorus tells us that amongst this ancient grudge, a "pair of star crossed lovers" will take their lives and their deaths will extinguish their parent's rage.
Shakespeare's Theatre was called the Globe, It was constructed in 1599. It was the most elaborate and attractive theatre yet built. Underneath the floors of the outer and inner stage was a cellar named "hell", allowing for dramatic appearances of ghosts. Seating was limited to the front row and was open to the public eye. Scenery could not be changed because there was no curtain. So dead bodies had to be carried off. Due to the lack of props and scenery they relied heavily on costumes. The theatre had no artificial light so all plays had to be done in the day.
