44 CHILDREN OF THE CHAPEL AT BLACKFRIARS 
only general features alike, with important particular differences ; 
while the stages of the three earliest contemporary private. the- _ 
atres, Blackfriars, Whitefriars, and Paul’s, differed widely not 
only from these but also from each other.* 
Again, it is assumed that in all three of these private theatres — 
gallants sat on the stage, for which practice stools were provided. — 
This assumption likewise is based upon the same primary assump- ~ 
tion that the stages of all the private theatres were alike, and that 
the custom practiced on one was the custom also on the others. — 
On the contrary, every reference to this practice quoted by Ma- — 
lone, Collier, and others, and every one that my own research re- 
veals, in the.period of late Elizabeth and early James I prior to — 
the establishment of the Cockpit, is either from Blackfriars plays 
or in reference to that stage. The custom, as pointed out else- 
where, spread to later theatres.2, But there is no evidence of it at 
either Paul’s or Whitefriars. On the contrary, we are distinctly 
informed that the stage at Paul’s was “so very little,” that auditors 
were not allowed to sit there. As to Whitefriars there is no evi- 
dence on either side. 
The fact that gallants sat on the Blackfriars stage without 
“wronging the general eye’’® or hindering the players,* while at 
Paul’s they could not? and at the Globe were not allowed to® and 
at other public theatres were not provided for® indicates that 
Blackfriars stage was, if not large, at least not small; and also 
that it was of a different construction from its earliest contem- 
poraries.’ 
were lacking is the presentation of elaborate dance and masque,® 
—that attractive spectacular feature of nearly every Blackfriars 
play from 1600 to the death of Elizabeth,°—further indicative 
of an adequate stage. After August 9, 1608,*° even with gallants 
*Infra, 137-41. 
"Cf. infra, 46-49, and plats, 50-51. 
®Infra, 118-19. 
°Infra, 119-22. 
The Blackfriars was taken over 
by the Burbage company by six sep- 
arate indentures of lease from Rich- 
*The stages of Cockpit and 
Salisbary Court, built later on the 
model of Blackfriars, are not here 
in question. 
*For the full discussion on the 
origin and influence of the custom 
of sitting on the stage, see infra, 
130-47. 
°Infra, 131*. holders,—Shakespeare among the 
Even more under these circumstances than if they — 
‘Infra, 142. 
'Infra, 134*, 136. 
number,—August 9, 1608, just fol- 
lowing the termination of* the Chil- 
158 
ard Burbage to his fellow share- © 
