The Globe TheatreThe Globe Theatre

English 12English 12

History of The GlobeHistory of The Globe The Globe Theatre was a The Globe Theatre was a

theatre in London theatre in London associated with William associated with William Shakespeare. It was built in Shakespeare. It was built in 1599 by Shakespeare's 1599 by Shakespeare's playing company, the Lord playing company, the Lord Chamberlain‘s Men, and Chamberlain‘s Men, and was destroyed by fire on 29 was destroyed by fire on 29 June 1613. A second Globe June 1613. A second Globe Theatre was rebuilt on the Theatre was rebuilt on the same site by June 1614 and same site by June 1614 and closed in 1642.closed in 1642.

A modern reconstruction of A modern reconstruction of the Globe, named the Globe, named "Shakespeare's Globe", "Shakespeare's Globe", opened in 1997. It is opened in 1997. It is approximately 230 meters approximately 230 meters (750 ft) from the site of the (750 ft) from the site of the original theatre.original theatre.

History of The GlobeHistory of The Globe The Globe was built in 1599 using timber from an earlier The Globe was built in 1599 using timber from an earlier

theatre, The Theatre, which had been built by Richard theatre, The Theatre, which had been built by Richard Burbage's father, James Burbage, in Shoreditch in 1576. Burbage's father, James Burbage, in Shoreditch in 1576. The Burbages originally had a 21-year lease of the site on The Burbages originally had a 21-year lease of the site on which The Theatre was built but owned the building which The Theatre was built but owned the building outright. outright.

However, the landlord, Giles Allen, claimed that the building However, the landlord, Giles Allen, claimed that the building had become his with the expiry of the lease. had become his with the expiry of the lease.

On 28 December 1598, while Allen was celebrating On 28 December 1598, while Allen was celebrating Christmas at his country home, carpenter Peter Street, Christmas at his country home, carpenter Peter Street, supported by the players and their friends, dismantled The supported by the players and their friends, dismantled The Theatre beam by beam and transported it to Street's Theatre beam by beam and transported it to Street's waterfront warehouse near Bridewell. With the onset of waterfront warehouse near Bridewell. With the onset of more favorable weather in the following spring, the material more favorable weather in the following spring, the material was ferried over the Thames to reconstruct it as The Globe was ferried over the Thames to reconstruct it as The Globe on some marshy gardens to the south of Maiden Lane, on some marshy gardens to the south of Maiden Lane, Southwark. Southwark.

History of The GlobeHistory of The Globe On 29 June 1613 the Globe On 29 June 1613 the Globe

Theatre went up in flames Theatre went up in flames during a performance of during a performance of Henry the EighthHenry the Eighth. .

A theatrical cannon, set off A theatrical cannon, set off during the performance, during the performance, misfired, igniting the misfired, igniting the wooden beams and wooden beams and thatching. According to thatching. According to one of the few surviving one of the few surviving documents of the event, documents of the event, no one was hurt except a no one was hurt except a man whose burning pants man whose burning pants were put out with a bottle were put out with a bottle of ale.of ale.

Like all the other theatres in London, the Globe Like all the other theatres in London, the Globe was closed down by the Puritans in 1642 after was closed down by the Puritans in 1642 after it was rebuilt in 1614. It was destroyed in 1644 it was rebuilt in 1614. It was destroyed in 1644 to make room for tenements.to make room for tenements.

It was also closed during periods of plague.It was also closed during periods of plague.

History of The GlobeHistory of The Globe Its exact location remained Its exact location remained

unknown until remnants of unknown until remnants of its foundations were its foundations were discovered in 1989 beneath discovered in 1989 beneath the car park of Anchor the car park of Anchor Terrace on Park Street (the Terrace on Park Street (the shape of the foundations is shape of the foundations is replicated in the surface of replicated in the surface of the car park). Anchor the car park). Anchor Terrace is a listed building Terrace is a listed building and only very limited and only very limited excavation, consisting of excavation, consisting of three small trial pits, has three small trial pits, has been permitted at the been permitted at the property. One original pier property. One original pier base was identified.base was identified.

Virtual GlobeVirtual Globe

– Shakespeare's Globe Theatre– Imagine you could travel back to

Shakespeare's time and watch a play at the Globe! It would be very different from today. Read the script below--between an Elizabethan and a 21st-century time traveler.

– (TT = time traveler, E = Elizabethan.)

TT: Must we stand all the way through the play?E: Yes, we've only paid a penny. We can't afford to sit in the gallery, nor on the stage!

TT: It smells in here. Oh, that's why we're called "penny stinkards"! It's crowded, too!

E: We all love plays so we all crowd in. At least the theaters close in the summer, because the heat could help spread disease. It would be smelly then!

TT: I am hungry. Is that popcorn in that bag?E: No, I don’t know what popcorn is, but that is hazelnuts. Sometimes, we throw the shells at the actors to show our displeasure. Would you like to share mine?

Virtual GlobeVirtual GlobeTT: Hey, there's no roof over those of us who are standing. What

happens if it rains?E: We get wet! But it's a sunny afternoon. See the flag up there

on the thatched roof that covers those seats? It tells us the play is about to start. You might hear a trumpet as well.

TT: Wait a minute . . . there's no scenery, no props and no curtain!

E: You'll have to listen carefully, so that you know what's happening. The actors' words will tell you where the play is set, what time of day or night it is, and what the weather is like. They might even wear a few costumes, but don't expect many!

TT: How do we know what this, A Midsummer Night's Dream, is like?

E: Look at the backdrop. It's light-colored, so it's going to be a comedy.

Virtual GlobeVirtual GlobeTT: How do we know when a scene has ended? Look, what's that in

the stage floor?E: You'll hear two rhyming lines and that'll tell you, but you've got to

listen carefully! And that's a trapdoor, where witches and devils come from! There's a balcony up there as well, see? Sometimes young lovers act their parts on it!

TT: What about sound effects - like thunder and lightning?E: Again, the words tell you, but if we're lucky there might be sound

from a drum.

TT: Who's that on stage? Is it starting?E: He's a very rich man. He's bought a seat up there. He's almost

part of the play.

TT: We're really close to the stage. I'll almost be able to touch the actors. Isn't that a boy?

E: Yes, young boys play female roles. Now, shhhh -- it's starting!

“Burning Pants.” Google Images. Google. November 2008http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=burning+pants&gbv=2

“Globe Tour,” Clemson Shakespeare Festival. 2007. Clemson University: Clemson Digital Press. 15 October 2007

http://virtual.clemson.edu/caah/shakespr/VRGLOBE/index.php

“The Globe.” Google Images. Google. November 2008http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=The+Globe&gbv=2

“The Globe Theatre.” Wikipedia the Free Encyclopedia. Google. November 2008http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Globe_Theatre