Elizabethan Theatre History

Elizabethan Theatre HistoryAs Elizabethan re-enactors gain popularity, there is an increase in interest in the history of masques and other theatrical re-enactment paper topics. While Elizabethan masques, including masques, re-enactments, and costume dramas, date back to the 17th century, many of the first games were held in the wake of the Tower of London. Still, most modern masques and other theatrical events can trace their origins to the 16th century.Masques are among the earliest forms of theatrical drama. Based on a popular story, the masque is an act of dramatic, theatrical storytelling in which actors use an array of instruments, often including a harp, to tell a story. Originally, masques included a story about a king's attempts to return his beautiful daughter from her fiance, who was blinded in battle. The king's own daughter then became the focus of the story in her journey back to her home.Shakespeare's Elizabethan era theatrical games included the masque and re-enactmen ts. Many modern theatrical games are based on Shakespeare's plays. For example, the Middleton masque, which involves a series of interactive events in which players interpret the different parts of the play, was first established during the course of the 20th century.As the Middleton masque gained popularity, various groups of actors formed around the country. A group in the United States also gained popularity, as did the event in which a group of women formed what is now known as the 'Mary Queen of Scots' masque. Although both of these groups claimed that they were the forerunners of the modern masque, only one group still exists today. In a bid to preserve this ancient form of theatrical storytelling, masques have become more popular than ever.Elizabethan masques are primarily based on a story, and almost all Elizabethan masques have one central theme. However, the events may be based on a number of themes, including romance, music, or religion. There are also a variety of time p eriods and a variety of different instruments.The Elizabethan period is also responsible for the development of literary masques. During this time, many poets and authors wrote poems that were used as scenes in the re-enactments. Often, these writers are credited with being instrumental in creating the role of the storyteller and the origin of the modern masque.The popularity of masques has spread to other areas as well, with re-enactors and even theatre companies holding their own versions of masques. Some of these scenes are based on the themes mentioned above, and some are entirely fictional. However, all of these events, regardless of the purpose of the scene, are based on a tradition that started many years ago.For those interested in learning more about the history of the masque, as well as other theatrical activities, the Internet is a great resource. There are a variety of websites available, and these sites can provide some useful information about masques and the other the atrical activities that began in Elizabethan England. These websites also offer the opportunity to search for different theatrical re-enactments and the events that inspired them.