Cross Keys InnThe Cross Keys Inn - Elizabethan Theatre The known facts about the Cross Keys Inn, which was used as one of the venues for early English Elizabethan Theatre, are as follows: London Location of the Cross Keys Inn - Gracechurch Street, London Elizabethan plays were performed in the courtyards of the Cross Keys Inn - 1576 - 1594 William Shakespeare's acting troupe, the Chamberlain's Men, used the Cross Keys Inn theatre on a regular basis due to the restrictions played on play acting within the City of London limits The Elizabethan Acting Troupes would negotiate with the owner, or vintner, of the Cross Keys Inn in order to stage a performance at the Cross Keys Inn The Cobbled Courtyard of the Cross Keys Inn was the site of Elizabethan plays - a temporary stage would be erected on trestles People who wanted to watch the plays at the Cross Keys Inn were charged a small fee as they entered the courtyard - they had to pay extra if they wanted a view from the balcony!
In 1574 the City of London started regulating the Inn-yard activities which lead to the development of the covered Playhouses and the open Amphitheatres and the ultimate replacement of the Inn-yards for venues of Elizabethan plays and theatres. Cross Keys Inn - Interesting Facts and Information about Inn- Yard Elizabethan Theatres Interesting Facts and information about the Cross Keys Inn Elizabethan Theatre Name of this type of Elizabethan Theatre taken directly from the yard of an Inn Elizabethan plays were performed in the cobbled courtyard Audience capacity of an Elizabethan Inn-Yard - up to 500 There was gambling and there was even bear baiting in some of the Inn-yards
Cross Keys Inn The Cross Keys Inn one of the Famous London Inns which was used as a venue for Elizabethan plays and theatre prior to the opening of Playhouses and purpose built Elizabethan Amphitheatres in London such as the Globe Theatre. |