Shakespeare's Theatre

by C. Walter Hodges

Examines how the pagan festivals and religious dramas performed throughout England evolved into the professional theaters, such as the Globe, in London.

Genres: Shakespeare

104 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1964

About the author

Cyril Walter Hodges was a writer, an illustrator and a Shakespeare scholar.

Reviews

[Greta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shakespeare's Theatre is a lovely history lesson with informative illustrations, both by C. Walter Hodges. Unfortunately, the original theatre and its replacement have both burned down, but there is something like it in London that I'll be eager to see in six weeks.

[Andrew]

For children in 1964, books about the past were often widely-read with wonderfully-executed illustrations to keep them (us!) interested in long-dead people with funny names & strange habits! Shakespeare was a legend in many ways, inspiring such wild thoughts about our long-lost world, when plays, actors & theatres could inspire the 'groundlings' as much as the wealthy & well-heeled (& educated!).
This short introduction helped children to understand how theatre came to play such a part (!) in the life of England, & why William Shakespeare was the epitome of an ambitious Elizabethan (the English Renaissance!) man...working his way up from humble origins in Stratford-upon-Avon to the royal court in London, by displaying his myriad talents as a storyteller 'par excellence' borrowing, adapting & perfecting a new art, open to all & sundry, an art full of drama, tragedy & comedy, & adding an element of long-lasting value: a wooden play-house...for 'all the world's a stage', right? _
...Exit...pursued by a bear! (That bear-baiting can cost an arm & a leg...but a play is a safe alternative!).
C.Walter Hodge would never be published now...despite the lively illustrations!

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview for children of theatre in the Middle Ages and in Shakespeare's time.