Cross Keys Inn

The 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

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.

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 Elizabethan Era
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Cross Keys Inn

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