The Globe Theater

 I. Opened in 1599  II. Located on south bank of Thames River  III. Also called the “Wooden O” --octagonal shape similar to an O  IV. Accommodated about 3,000 people The Globe

 V. Groundlings stood on 3 sides of stage and paid a penny admission  VI. Globe open to sky--actors and patrons were protected from weather, but groundlings were not

The Globe  VII. Minimal scenery, natural lighting, words gave time of day and often place of scene

The Globe  VIII. Audiences liked action, duels, murders, clowns, ghosts. Witches, noise, puns, wit, asides, music, shouting

The Globe  IX. Length  A. Lasted about 2-21/2 hours  B. Usually began at noon or 2 P.M.  X. Scenes were over when there was a change of tapestry or actors

The Globe  XI. No female actresses---Apprentice actors (males) played female parts  XII. Announcements of plays  A. Playbills were posted in the city  B. Flag was raised atop theater--- different color flag for different type of play.

The Globe  XIII. Techniques  A. Pun -- humorous play on words indicating different meanings  B. Metaphor -- comparison of two things not using like or as  C. Conceit -- whimsical, extravagant, fanciful ideas

The Globe Techniques  D. Soliloquy -- device whereby the actor on stage makes his feelings and thoughts known by talking aloud to himself and to the audience  E. Aside -- device whereby actors say something to the audience without the other people on stage being able to hear him

The Globe  XIV. Props  A. Buy pigs’ bladders, fill with blood (worn under tunic or costume). Puncture bladder, blood spills out-- audience loved this. Remember, Shakespeare starts every play with a fight  B. Minimal furniture props

The Globe  XV. Miscellaneous  A. Scenery usually wasn’t relied on. Relied on props and language.  B. Music - Elizabethans loved music; the “ball” was music portion of Romeo and Juliet

The Globe  C. Costumes  Used costumes of Elizabethan era--leotards, tunics, authentic to actor’s times.

The Globe D. Groundlings Paid 1 cent to get in; no seats for them; took own lunches; would often throw things (banana peels) at the actors.

The Globe E. Women Theater was not the place to be seen Thought of as a place of sin Most did not go with the exception of really rich and “ladies of the evening” (who often practiced their profession in the Pit where the groundlings were)

The Globe F. Flags told that a play was being presented and about to start. Different colors denoted different types of plays-- new play, tragedy, history, comedy

The Globe G. Everyone went in front door to the pit--1 cent Pay more to sit under a covering Really rich sat in boxes by musicians Pay 6 cents to sit in Lord’s Room

The Globe H. Tiring House – Area behind stage (green room) – “Retire” -- rest, catch breath when not acting; actors spoke lines very fast – “Attire” -- place where actors changed costumes

The Globe I. Pit (also known as the Yard) – Place where “groundlings” stood – 1000 people could stand – Became so smelly and hot that groundlings were also nicknamed – “stinkards” – Shakespeare works hard to appeal to groundlings

The Globe J. Hell – Under the platform – Also used for storage K. Turret – Named because of shape--top of castle; round room – Storage for props and sometimes cannons for war plays

The Globe

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