GlobeTheatre3


 * WHAT IS THE GLOBE THEATRE? HOW IS IT CONNECTED TO SHAKESPEARE?WHAT IS ITS HISTORY AND LEGACY? WHAT WAS IT LIKE IN SHAKESPEARE'S TIME?WHAT IS ITS ARCHITECTURE AND HOW DID IT FUNCTION AS A THEATRE?WHAT IS IT LIKE TODAY? WHAT IS THE NEW SHAKESPEARE's GLOBE IN LONDON? WHAT IS ITS HISTORY AND ITS MISSION?

Answer prepared by: Natalie P. **

Theaters throughout history, since the first was built about 2500 years ago by the Greeks, have served as havens for pleasure and entertainment. One such theatre is The Globe Theatre in London, England which is renowned as one of the greatest establishments of theatre and art. This reputation is primarily a result of the mastermind which led the theatre to its well established success, and attraction. The famous motto of the theatre throughout history has been "This whole world is a stage." The motto served as the inspiration behind the name of the establishment. [1]

The original Globe Theatre was located in Bankside, on the south bank of Thames River in London, which was a thriving entertainment center. The building was constructed in 1599 by the brothers Cuthbert and Richard Burbage, who managed theaters. After its predecessor The Theatre was demolished, some of the original materials of the structure were applied to the construction new theatre’s construction. The Globe Theatre’s architecture resembled famous structures of early entertainment centers, and was similar to the Coliseum in Ancient Rome; however on a smaller scale. [2] It was approximately three stories high and had a capacity to hold between 1500-3000 spectators. The Theatre was owned by shareholders in the Lord Chamberlin’s Men, were an acting company protected by the Queen of England, one of the most famous shareholders in the Globe Theater being William Shakespeare. [3]

People from all social classes were welcome to the theatre. The upper classes sat in tiered galleries, which were in three levels surrounding the pit. The lower classes stood throughout the entire performance around the stage for one cent. Prominent works of Shakespeare were performed such as //Macbeth, Julius Caesar, Romeo and Juliet//, and more. By the turn of the century, Shakespeare was England’s most popular playwright. All plays in Elizabethan England during this time period prohibited females from performing on stage; hence all female roles were completed by male actors. Theatre served as a primary source of entertainment in Elizabethan England where many attended several times per week. As a result, the Globe Theatre was very successful and allowed Shakespeare as well as the other shareholders and performers to become wealthy gentlemen. [4]

Despite the accomplishment of the Globe, a devastating accident occurred that led to the downfall of the great theatre. On June 29, 1613, a misfired cannon in the performance of //Henry the Eighth// set the roof ablaze. The result was atrocious damage to the structure’s integrity. The following year the theatre was rebuilt, but shortly after was closed down by the Puritans’ movement in 1642. Puritans closed the theatre because they saw the theatre as a base for Royalists who they were against; furthermore they believed the amusement of theatre would lead to immorality. When civil war broke out, no one was permitted to waste time in the theatres; therefore all of London’s were closed down. Following the Puritan movement, in 1644, the Globe Theater was torn down permanently.

In 1999, the late Sam Wanamaker, an American director constructed a replica of the Globe Theatre in London. The replica is dedicated to the “Exploration of Shakespeare's work and the playhouse for which he wrote, through the connected means of performance and education.” [5] Today the Theatre ties the //Globe Theatre Company//, //Shakespeare's Globe Exhibition and Globe Education// to further commemorate and enrich the world’s knowledge and appreciation for Shakespeare. The first Globe Theatre brought many of Shakespeare’s masterpieces to life for the first time ever, and the new Globe continues to strive to ensure that his works and genius will never be forgotten. media type="youtube" key="LVmOric9nUo" height="352" width="476"

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[1] Nardo, Don. //The Globe Theatre Blackbirch Press//. Detroit: Thomson Gale, 2005. Print. [2] Forward, Toby, and Juan Wijngaard. //Shakespeare's Globe: an Interactive Pop-up Theatre//. Cambridge, Mass.: Candlewick, 2005. Print. [3] "The Old Globe Theater History." //WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE//. 2005. Web. 04 Apr. 2010. . [4] " Shakespeare's Globe." //Shakespeare Resource Center//. J. M. Pressley and the Shakespeare Resource Center, 8 Jan. 2010. Web. 04 Apr. 2010. .

[5] "The Globe Theatre." //Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Bankside, Southwark, London//. Shakespeare Globe Trust 2010, 2010. Web. 04 Apr. 2010. .