8-1TodaysGlobe

Shakespeare’s Globe

The theatre in which all Shakespeare’s greatest plays were performed was called the Globe. Built in 1599, during the last years of the reign of Elizabeth I, the Globe was one of the first playhouses to open in London. Before the building of the Globe, actors performed in halls of houses and on portable platforms. According to a website entitled, “The Old Globe Theater History” explains that in 1576, the owner was James Burbage. He had obtained a 21 year lease with permission to build the first playhouse, aptly named “The Theatre.” After “The Theater” other theaters opened in the London area, including the Rose Theatre (1587), and the Hope Theatre (1613). According to John Russell Brown, the author of Shakespeare and His Theater, explains that “the Globe was a circular, wooden building. Its round shape, together with the height of its three tall stories, made the Globe a landmark for miles around. The stage was simply a rectangular acting area that was placed in the center of the Globe. The stage was a platform raised about five feet above the circular “yard” in which some people would stand and watch the play. It was also an adaptation of a tradition of theatre-building in stone and marble that reached right back through Rome to Ancient Greece. Shakespeare’s opening comedy was called As You Like It. It could have been Shakespeare who thought of the name for the new theater. Its stage will show the world, to the world. The Globe was an exciting place to be. The outside walls of the theater were more than thirty feet high. There were only a few, small windows. There was a doorman stationed at each of the doors and it was his job to collect the money for admission. It only cost one penny to see the play. You would pay two pennies if you wanted to sit closer to the stage in greater comfort. You could also pay even more money if you wanted to view the play from a private box” (13). All the festivities took place in the daylight, in and around the wide open yard. This made it more enjoyable for the audience.

According to John Russell Brown, the author of Shakespeare and His Theater, explains that “on June 29, 1613, during a performance of Shakespeare’s King Henry VIII, a cannon was shot off as a sound effect to accompany the entrance of the king. A spark caught the roof and flames broke out that were carried by the wind. Pretty much the entire theatre was in smoking ruins. In less than a year, the second Globe was open and was a great success. There was more storage space in the new Globe that could hold any stage props or costumes. Both of the Globe theaters were definitely very big in England at the time” (21). The main goal of the Globe was to bring people to the theater and educate them about the acting life. Most people saw plays for pure entertainment. The two Globes brought in many viewers, and watching plays was probably a great way for people back then to fill up their free time.

-Emily Bach