shakespearean acting style

Theatre historians have argued both that the acting style in Shakespeare's day was realistic and that it was formal. Brockett lists arguments for both opinions:

Conditions that suggest a formal style:

• female roles are performed by male actors
• the scripts are non-realistic
• the stage background is conventionalised
• the repertory is large, making detailed characterisation difficult

Conditions that suggest a realistic style:

• Shakespeare's "advice to the players" in Hamlet
• contemporary references to the convincing characterisations given by such actors as Burbage
• emphasis on contemporary life and manners in many comedies
• the truthfulness of human psychology in the serious plays
• the proximity of spectators to actors during performances.

Brockett adds that "judging by contemporary accounts, many actors moved audiences with the power and "truth" of their playing, but this tells little about acceptable conventions, for what is considered "truth in acting" varies markedly from one period to another." (Brockett 1991: 167)

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spoken stage decorations

The Globe