globe theatre “the wooden o”. 1576 – james burbage built the first english theatre

Globe Theatre“The Wooden O”

• 1576 – James Burbage built the first English theatre

• 1598 – Landowners would not renew the lease – theatre was dismantled and rebuilt across the Thames River

• 1599 – The theatre was rebuilt and named The Globe Theatre

• Shakespeare performed most of his plays at the Globe and owned 10% of the theatre.

• Prices to attend the theatre range from 1 penny to 1 shilling (12 cents).

• Prices were double on the first performance.

• Performances began around 2:00-3:00 P.M. after lunch but while the sun was still bright.

• Plays were announced by a flag being raised on top of the theatre. A white flag indicated a comedy and a black flag signaled a tragedy

• 3 trumpet blasts signaled that the play was beginning.

• All kinds of people came to the plays: nobility, merchant class, apprentices, thieves, beggars, etc.

• Merchants sold their goods during the performances.

• Average weekly attendance to the theatre was 20,000 people.

• The Globe Theatre was round and could seat 2,000 people.

• The stage was 5 ½ feet high—this kept the audience from jumping on the stage.

• Groundlings- stood on the ground in front of the stage– their admission price was one penny- known as the “penny public”.

• The stage had three areas of acting:

1. outer stage

2. middle stage

3. inner stage

•The ceiling of the stage areas was known as the “Heavens” and was painted with signs of the zodiac: sun, moon, stars etc.

• Under the stage’s trap door was an area known as “Hell” used for special effects such as ghosts coming and going.

•Plays were free of interruption: no curtains or scenery.

• Props were kept to a minimum – swords, daggers, shields, scrolls, dishes, candles.

Props were brought on and taken off the stage as the play progressed.

• Costumes were the dress of everyday life. People of this time period were very class conscious – the fabric of one’s clothing indicated to others his/her station in life.

satin- taffeta- velvet =aristocrats (rich)

coarse wool = commoner

canvas aprons = working men (labors)

• The color of the actors clothes symbolized their status in the play.

scarlet = rulers dark blue = servants yellow = jealous

character orange = pride light blue = honor rose = gallantry

• Most costumes were very lavish, colorful and expensive

• Women were not actors so the parts of women were played by young boys – high voice and no beard.

• The skills an actor had to have were:

1. good fencer

2. dancer, musician

3. good speaking voice

• 1613 – Globe Theatre was destroyed during a performance of Henry VIII. Fire from a cannon landed on the thatched roof and caught fire.

1614 – More elaborate theatre was built on the same spot.

• 1644 – The Puritans tore down the Globe Theatre because they believed plays were immoral and caused sin.

• 1666 – The London fire destroyed all traces of the Globe Theatre.

• 1997 – Theatre reopened for performances - was rebuilt in the same place with same materials as the original.