A comparison between two ''Storms'': Shakespeare and Dryden

5 
 
Theatre structure also changed considerably compared to the past, both at 
architectonic and formal level.                                                                                                                                                                
At formal level, theatre was more and more similar to continental features, which 
included a greater separation between audience and  actors. This separation was 
created by a proscenium jutting out into audience for about five metres of length and 
curtain represented a kind of fourth wall which separated those who played from 
those who watched the performance.                                                                                                                                  
This proscenium appeared smaller than the Elizabethan one and had some doors 
which opened to show a painted scenery so that scene could change without dropping 
the curtain and most action could take place in the small, but important, place which 
was in front of the proscenium. In the Elizabethan theatre, on the contrary, 
perspective was kaleidoscopic, as platform jutted out into the audience and almost 
involved it in the action. In the Elizabethan theatre, this participation to the 
performance was also created by fixed scenes, which, in the Restoration theatre, were 
replaced with movable ones making setting change easier. Actually, the innovation of 
movable scenes satisfied the new stage demands of comedians, who wanted to 
surprise audience with exotic costumes, special effects, sliding panels and backdrops 
which continually changed in comparison with the neutral backdrop of the 
Elizabethan drama.                                                                                                                                                
All changes of setting obviously happened under the aware look of audience, which, 
however, made lose spontaneity and realism to scene.  
A further change, which also meant a greater opening to foreign influences, was 
the advent of women on the stage. While, in the Elizabethan theatre, female roles 
were unavoidably played by men, now women began to act female roles. The first 
women who got on the stage did not shine for their virtues and discretion, but they 
were semiliterate members of the lower classes, educated to behave on the stage and 
to act so they were not accustomed to face audience; nevertheless, they met with 
great success among public.