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The growth in the popularity of the theatre divided societies in those towns which had one, or several, theatres. For all those who enjoyed the entertainment, there were those who opposed it.

The development of the theatre in Wales was very slow, due to the lack of large towns. The Welsh gentry continued to patronise (support) other forms of culture such as poetry. In Wales, strolling players were still the main way in which people could enjoy plays at events called an interlude.

Miracle and morality plays, like Y Tri Brenin o Gwlen / The Three Kings from Cologne, were performed in Welsh in inn-yard theatres and fairs, and visiting troupes performed in English. Welsh characters, sometimes speaking Welsh, also appeared in plays in Elizabethan theatres, eg Fluellen in the play Henry V by William Shakespeare.

Good entertainment

Many Elizabethans, including Elizabeth, enjoyed going to the theatre as it provided good entertainment, an escape from their everyday lives and the chance to socialise and catch up on the latest news. Many nobles attended the theatre and the showing of a new play became a social event. The quality and diversity of plays improved and this further encouraged the development of the theatre.

Opposition to the theatre

However, the theatre was not popular with everyone.

• Puritans disapproved of the non-religious nature of the plays which could lead to bad habits and behaviour. They believed it kept people from going to church.
• Religious leaders in Wales, for example, felt the immoral actions and bad language in plays were sinful.
• The authorities were unhappy because they believed it encouraged people to miss work and be idle.
• The authorities also felt that theatres were ideal places for thieves and vagabonds to operate and theatres were places where plague and other infectious diseases could spread.

Despite this opposition, the popularity of the theatre continued to grow and would spread further into Wales as towns expanded in size.