The Globe Theatre
Unit Essential Questions: Why are we still reading Shakespeare’s plays today? In what ways did the Elizabethan time period affect Shakespeare's writing?
Shakespeare was one of 7 owners Could hold 2500-3000 people The Globe Theater 1599 the theater was built Shakespeare was one of 7 owners Could hold 2500-3000 people The stage was always bare (no scenery) Costumes and props were elaborate
The Globe did not have a roof over the central yard. The cheapest way to see a play was as a groundling standing in the central yard. It would cost you one penny. One penny was about a days wage for shepherds or unskilled laborers. Galleries formed a “U” shape in front of the stage with the central yard in the middle.
The galleries had seats and a roof A seat cost 2 pennies, if you wanted a straw cushion for the seat you paid 3 pennies The stage was a thrust stage All parts were played by men A woman acting in a play would have been shameless and a serious breach of social custom
Actors sometimes wore masks Theater burned down when a cannon was fired during a play and hit the roof
When entering a production you receive a Playbill. The Theater Today... When entering a production you receive a Playbill. The cost of tickets today are usually over $50 for balcony seats. Shakespeare would be making over $25,000 a week today in royalties.
Theater =building (movies) Theatre =stage productions Theatre vs. Theater In the United States Theater =building (movies) Theatre =stage productions In Canada, the UK, Australia, and South Africa, Theatre covers all performances
Theatres The Globe Theatre and The Rose Theatre were the two most popular theatres of the time.