8-4TodaysGlobe

= = = Shakespeare's Globe = //Answer prepared by Hudson B// Shakespeare’s globe in London was architecturally based off of the original Southwark theatre. The original globe in Southwark, England, was built in 1599 by Peter Smith and was said to have a capacity of about 3,000 people. The theatre was up and running for 14 years. But, in 1613 during a performance of //Henry Vlll//, a cannon ignited the thatched roof and the theatre burned down to the ground. Soon after, a second globe was built in the same area. Although Shakespeare may have acted in it, it is believed that he never wrote for it. In 1664, the second globe was not used for plays anymore and became useless. It was torn down to make room for tenements.

The creation of the current Shakespeare globe in England was masterminded from an American actor, director, and producer named Sam Wanamaker. He was born in Chicago on June 14th, 1919. Wanamaker’s first job in the theatre field was acting Shakespeare. This experience is said to have influenced his career. Sam Wanamaker was disappointed to go to England in 1949 and see the little amount of memorials representing Shakespeare. Because of this, Sam Wanamaker decided to create the Shakespeare Globe Trust in 1970. The Shakespeare Globe Trust has three main purposes. The first purpose is to reconstruct the Globe Theatre which forms the heart of an exhibition about Shakespeare and the theatre of his time. The second purpose is for the Globe to strive for an international reputation for great performances through the Globe’s productions. The last purpose of the Globe Trust is to create an international focal point for the study of Shakespeare in performance.

The construction of the current globe was based off of the first globe as closely as possible. In 1970, Theo Crosby was hired to be the main architect in building the Globe Theater. Oak was fashioned and cut according to the 16th-century. Oak lathes support lime plaster that was mixed according to a contemporary recipe. The roof is made of water reed thatch. The stage, on the other hand, was based off of evidence provided by existing buildings of the period. In 1997, the globe was finally built, three years after the death of Sam Wanamaker. The new globe was voted the most entertaining attraction in all of Europe and was awarded the European Tourism Initiative Golden Star Award in 1996. To this day, the Shakespeare globe is a huge fascination around the world.

Works Cited "Background." //Shakespeare's Globe//. 16 Apr 2009 . Cummings, Michael. "Description of the Original Globe (1599) ." //The Globe Theatre//. 2003. 12 Apr 2009 . "Shakepeare's Globe Exhibition." //Tourist Information UK//. 12 Apr 2009 . "Shakepeare's Globe Theater." //Enotes//. 14 Apr 2009 .