The Globe Theatre Past and Present

Three Globe Theatres The original Globe Theatre, built in 1599 by the playing company to which Shakespeare belonged, and destroyed by fire in The original Globe Theatre, built in 1599 by the playing company to which Shakespeare belonged, and destroyed by fire in The Globe Theatre was rebuilt in 1614 and closed in The Globe Theatre was rebuilt in 1614 and closed in A modern reconstruction of the original Globe, named "Shakespeare's Globe Theatre", opened in A modern reconstruction of the original Globe, named "Shakespeare's Globe Theatre", opened in 1997.

The Original Globe Theatre The Globe was the principal playhouse of the Lord Chamberlain's Men (who would become the King's Men in 1603) The Globe was the principal playhouse of the Lord Chamberlain's Men (who would become the King's Men in 1603) The Globe was owned by a group of actors, who (except for one) were also shareholders in the Lord Chamberlain's Men. The Globe was owned by a group of actors, who (except for one) were also shareholders in the Lord Chamberlain's Men.

At the base of the stage, there was an area called the "yard," where people (the "groundlings") would stand to watch the performance. At the base of the stage, there was an area called the "yard," where people (the "groundlings") would stand to watch the performance.

Around the yard were three levels of seating, which were more expensive than standing in “the yard.” Around the yard were three levels of seating, which were more expensive than standing in “the yard.”

The Globe was built using timber from an earlier theatre called The Theatre. The Globe was built using timber from an earlier theatre called The Theatre. On June 29, 1613, the Globe Theatre went up in flames during the first performance of Henry the Eighth. A theatrical cannon, set off during the performance, misfired, igniting the wooden beams and thatching. On June 29, 1613, the Globe Theatre went up in flames during the first performance of Henry the Eighth. A theatrical cannon, set off during the performance, misfired, igniting the wooden beams and thatching.

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

A New Era of The Globe Theatre A new Globe theatre was built according to an Elizabethan ( ) plan. A new Globe theatre was built according to an Elizabethan ( ) plan. Although the reconstruction was carefully researched, the original plan was modified by the addition of sprinklers on the roof to protect against fire, and the theatre is partly joined onto a modern lobby and visitors centre. Although the reconstruction was carefully researched, the original plan was modified by the addition of sprinklers on the roof to protect against fire, and the theatre is partly joined onto a modern lobby and visitors centre.

In addition, only 1,500 people may be housed during a show, unlike the 3,000 of Shakespeare's time (Elizabethans were less concerned about their personal space than modern theatregoers). In addition, only 1,500 people may be housed during a show, unlike the 3,000 of Shakespeare's time (Elizabethans were less concerned about their personal space than modern theatregoers).

It opened in 1997 under the name "Shakespeare's Globe Theatre" and now stages plays every summer (May to October). It opened in 1997 under the name "Shakespeare's Globe Theatre" and now stages plays every summer (May to October).<

Shakespeare’s Birthplace Stratford-Upon-Avon, England Stratford-Upon-Avon, England Has become a tourist trap, seeing over 3.5 million visitors every year Has become a tourist trap, seeing over 3.5 million visitors every year Many great authors have made their pilgrimage to the Bard’s birthplace Many great authors have made their pilgrimage to the Bard’s birthplace

“There are some parts of the plays you’ll never understand. But excuse me, I thought that’s what great art was supposed to be about. Don’t freak out over it. Keep reading.” – Peter Sellers

Shakespeare’s Grave Holy Trinity Church Holy Trinity Church A few blocks from his birthplace, on the River Avon A few blocks from his birthplace, on the River Avon More than 200,000 tourists every year More than 200,000 tourists every year Church is still used for services Church is still used for services

“He was not for an age, but for all time!” – Ben Jonson

Life and Times of William Shakespeare - b in Stratford-Upon-Avon married Anne Hathaway (8 years his senior) She was pregnant - b daughter Susanna - b daughter Susanna - b Hamnet and Judith (twins) - b Hamnet and Judith (twins) - So, by 20 Shakespeare was married with 3 children - So, by 20 Shakespeare was married with 3 children - needed to provide for his family - needed to provide for his family - wasn’t making enough money in Stratford, decided to move to London - wasn’t making enough money in Stratford, decided to move to London - Shakespeare ended up paying off all his family debts - Shakespeare ended up paying off all his family debts - d in Stratford at “New Place” - d in Stratford at “New Place” - he was 52 - he was 52 - wrote plays during the reign of two monarchs (Queen Elizabeth 1558 – 1603 and King James 1603 – 1625) - wrote plays during the reign of two monarchs (Queen Elizabeth 1558 – 1603 and King James 1603 – 1625)

Elizabethan England Medical Issues: - measles - measles - scarlet fever - scarlet fever - flu - flu - these could be fatal for children - these could be fatal for children - Shakespeare’s own son died during childhood - Shakespeare’s own son died during childhood - many women died during childbirth - many women died during childbirth - famine was prevalent - famine was prevalent - simple medical procedures could result in death because of infection (pulled tooth) - simple medical procedures could result in death because of infection (pulled tooth)

Religion - most people believed in God England was protestant, having broken away from the Catholic church (Reformation) - Catholics were ostracized from the community and country After Elizabethan Era – Jacobean Era - Protestant Puritans wanted to rid the church of anything that was of the Catholic church. - They believed fine clothing, drinking, gambling and going to see plays were all things that would / could condemn you to hell

Folklore / Superstition - some believed in fairies, goblins and spirits. - some believed in fairies, goblins and spirits. - insanity, nightmares were thought to be caused by the influence of these spirits - insanity, nightmares were thought to be caused by the influence of these spirits - witch hunting prevalent: people (women) were accused of being witches if they were simply socially awkward. Killed by the church. - witch hunting prevalent: people (women) were accused of being witches if they were simply socially awkward. Killed by the church. - disease and disasters were blamed on witches. - disease and disasters were blamed on witches. - Astrology was important - Astrology was important

Life in London - port city, growing, poverty and wealth in great contrast - lots of entertainment: cock fighting and bear baiting - lots of entertainment: cock fighting and bear baiting people liked to watch public beatings and executions people liked to watch public beatings and executions The Black Death – Bubonic Plague: The Black Death – Bubonic Plague: Over people died. Disease was carried on rats. Over people died. Disease was carried on rats.

Theatre - town squares - town squares - village greens - village greens - not popular in the beginning - not popular in the beginning - Audience: cheap tickets (one penny) - Audience: cheap tickets (one penny) expensive ticket (6 pence) expensive ticket (6 pence) - Ranging in class. Thieves and pickpockets were prevalent - Ranging in class. Thieves and pickpockets were prevalent - Crowds tended to be pretty rowdy - Crowds tended to be pretty rowdy