If in Shakespeare's time, the women roles were played by trained boy actors, how did they do romantic scenes? For example, the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet or when they had to kiss?
Thanks
-MC
Stage actors can appear to kiss when they are actually close but not touching. However, probably some did really kiss on stage.
Ew
-MC
During Shakespeare's time, it is true that women's roles were often played by young male actors due to societal norms and restrictions on women in the theater. When it came to romantic scenes, such as the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet or scenes that required kissing, the actors would have used various techniques to create the illusion of romance and physical intimacy.
1. Gesture and Body Language: Actors would primarily rely on their physicality to convey the emotions and interactions between the characters. Through expressive gestures, facial expressions, and body language, they would create the impression of intimacy without actually engaging in physical contact.
2. Verbal Interaction: Shakespeare's plays are renowned for their poetic and eloquent language. The actors would use the power of words to depict romance and convey the intensity of emotions. They would rely on well-written dialogue and vocal delivery to express love and desire, creating the illusion of romantic connection.
3. Creative Staging: Directors and actors would employ creative staging techniques to imply physical contact or closeness without actually engaging in it. For example, they might use blocking (movement on stage), positioning, or angled staging to create the appearance of holding hands, gazing into each other's eyes, or being in close proximity.
4. Theatrical Conventions: Theater audiences during that era were familiar with certain theatrical conventions, like the use of exaggerated gestures and expressions. These conventions allowed the audience to suspend disbelief and interpret the actions on stage as realistic, despite the limitations imposed by societal norms.
It's worth noting that the focus of the plays was more on the emotional depth of the characters and their connection rather than explicit physical demonstrations. Shakespeare's writing and the performances of the actors aimed to capture the essence of love and romance through language and dramatic acting techniques rather than relying on physical contact.