Imagine standing in an octagonal shaped structure, enclosing a roofless inner pit. You are standing on a shell-carpeted floor and in front of you is a projected stage; a theater. Behind you are wooden seats and oak balusters. Have any idea of where you are? You are standing in the pit of Shakespeare’s famous Globe Theater.
An English actor, Richard Burbage, constructed the Globe Theater in 1599. Unfortunately, it was burned down fourteen years later. In 1613 a cannon, discharged during a performance of Henry VIII, set fire to the thatched roof and destroyed the building (Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2000). The theater was rebuilt in 1614 but the Puritans destroyed it 30 years later, in 1644.
The idea to honor Shakespeare and his plays by reconstructing the Globe was by an American actor and director, Sam Wanamaker. This had been a 27-year epic adventure of the dreams of Wanamaker (Smithsonian Magazine, November 1997). To his content of his trials and tribulations, he “wheedled and cajoled” the British into rebuilding the Bard’s theater (Smithsonian Magazine, November 1997). He began formal fundraising efforts in 1970. He founded the Shakespeare Globe Trust to start the reconstruction that was nearly 400 years late. It would be built from scratch on its original site in Southwark, London, on the South Bank of the Thames River (Smithsonian Magazine, November 1997). Wanamaker died in 1993, and Globe architect Theo Crosby passed away the following year, before the project could be finished.
This ambitious undertaking took more than 25 years of effort to recreate an important part of Shakespeare’s life and work (Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2000). It took a whopping $45 million, and now finished, it is a faithful reproduction of its predecessor. From the thatched roof and oak balusters to the wooden seats and shell-carpeted pit, every effort was made to use Elizabethan materials and methods in constructing the theater. The 20-sided wooden theater opened in 1996. A 1500 member audience can feel free to interact with the actors, just as they did in the 16th century. The first production at the newly reconstructed Globe was Shakespeare’s The Two Gentlemen of Verona, on August 21, 1996 (Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2000).
As in the original Globe, the stage of the new Globe is made of bare boards. It is five feet high, which makes it quite difficult to climb onto or jump from, but it insures that most of the standing audience can see the action.
The site of the Old Globe Theatre was rediscovered in the 20th century and a reconstruction started to take place as near to the place as possible. This is the theatre which still stands today, and which has been running, and holding many performances including ones written by Shakespeare.
The stage, which was quite plain and high, projected into the yard, where the standing audience surrounded it. At the rear of the stage were two doors at either side for the entrances and exits of the actors, and above the doors was a balcony that could by used by musicians or for scenes on an upper level. Over the stage was a thatched roof supported by pillars called the 'heavens'. It could be used to lover characters from during the play. Underneath was a space that could be used by characters ascending and descending thro... ...
theater was re-built by the next year, 1614. It was referred to as the Globe II.
The curtains of the play draw, the audience, quiet and eager waits for the lights to dim to see what William Shakespeare had brought before them. Shakespeare’s plays became enjoyable and fun to watch, seeing actors dress in amazing costumes and props used in The Globe Theater. (1-1)
The Shakespearean world of the late 1500's and early 1600's was very, very different from our own. Though there are differences, there are also some similarities. The world of Shakespeare is a unique, and again, is much different than our own.
Broadway: The American Musical is a film documentary, highlighting the evolution of musical theater, and how it has related and impacted modern day American life. Starting from the very beginning, the series documents the unfolding of this present day, entertainment medium- Broadway. We Americans, have taken musical theater, ran with it, ultimately creating what we know today as the Great White Way.
The Riverside Shakespeare Theatre. ED. G. Blakemore Evans. Boston: Haughton Mifflin Company, 1974.
iii. empty space that was extended out into the audience and it could be viewed from three sides
“All the world’s a stage.” This quote hangs above the door of the famous Globe Theatre. The Globe Theatre housed many of Shakespeare’s plays from 1600 to 1613, during the golden years of his business. The concept of the Globe was originally born out of strife over the lease of the theatre that Shakespeare previously performed in (Michael). It has since become an icon of Shakespeare’s story as a playwright. Shakespeare enthusiasts around the world know of the Globe Theatre for the story of its construction, its design, and the purpose it served.
The Globe Theatre was where Shakespeare had most of his plays performed. It had many decorations to make it look appealing and to try and to make it seem expensive and luxurious. The Globe Theatre was built in just 6 months between 1597 and 1598 just outside central London. The Thames River separated it from St Paul’s cathedral. The Globe was made in a round circular shape. This meant that at least one actor would have their back to the audience, however, this would not have mattered because the audience came mainly to hear the play – not to see it. When you were buying a seat for the theatre, the most expensive seats would not be the ones with the best view, they would be the closest ones in order to hear better. Also, these seats would be facing towards the audience, which means that everyone would see them, meaning fame. The Globe would usually be packed with decorations and ornaments. These would have nothing to do with the play, it was used to make the theatre look more attractive/expensive. Lots of people would come to see the plays. They would do this because Shakespeare’s plays were not published at that time so the public would want to see it...
Actors were expected to memorize hundreds of lines at a time. While one play could be performing, actors would be practicing lines for their next show. Play writers also began to make roles for the actors in the theatrical pieces. The theaters that actors performed in were roofless so that the sun could be used as lighting. Theatrical shows were held in the afternoon because it provided the best amount of light for the show. When the people gathered into the theater, the different classes of people were separated by where they could afford to sit and watch the show. The lower classmen were situated on the bare earth where it was dirty and smelly because it was never cleaned. The owners’ of the theaters found it less expensive if they did not keep high maintenance of their establishments. Higher classmen sat under a roof and for a penny more, they could buy cushions for their seats.
... the people of the Renaissance would have during the fifteenth and sixteenth century. It continues to affect, inform, and inspire its audiences in London. The Globe Theater will always be “All the World’s Stage” ("Fun Facts on the Globe theater”).
A full understanding of Shakespeare's plays is arrived at through the process of imaginatively recreating them. Reading a play, or watching a production, or being involved in a production, or reading what someone else has to say is not enough fully grasp any given play. All of these things must be done to achieve a deeper comprehension. On the following pages I will try to organize my ten week Shakespearean experience by drawing parallels between my own experience and the experience of the rude mechanicals and royal audience of A Midsummer Night's Dream.
The name most associated with excellence in theatre is William Shakespeare. His plays, more than any other playwright, resonate through the ages. It may be safe to say that he has influenced more actors, directors, and playwrights than any thespian in the history of the stage. But what were his influences? During the Middle Ages theatre was dominated by morality, miracle, and mystery plays that were often staged by the church as a means to teach the illiterate masses about Christianity. It wasn’t until the early sixteenth century that Greek tragedy experienced a revival, in turn, inspiring a generation of renaissance playwrights.
The theater was one of the primary forms of entertainment in Elizabethan England, as anyone, rich or poor could attend the plays.The rich would sit in boxes or galleries, while the poorer people would have to stand for the entirety of the play (Haigh). The poor would stand in front of the stage which would normally be raised about 4 to 6 feet and the theater could hold on average 3,000 people (Trumbull). The rich however usually watched plays in indoor private theaters, but sometimes would watch the plays in the outdoor public ones. Performances ...