1. Shakespeare’s Globe Theater An Overview

2. Introduction The Globe theater was built in the Southwark district of London in 1599. The Globe theater was built in the Southwark district of London in 1599. The location was considered the “sporting district”- a place for cock-fighting, bear-baiting and other bawdy attractions. The location was considered the “sporting district”- a place for cock-fighting, bear-baiting and other bawdy attractions.

3. The “sporting district” was outside the legal reach of city officials The “sporting district” was outside the legal reach of city officials The Globe was built by Cuthbert Burbage, an associate of Shakespeare. The Globe was built by Cuthbert Burbage, an associate of Shakespeare. Burbage built the Globe for Shakespeare and the Chamberlain Men Burbage built the Globe for Shakespeare and the Chamberlain Men

4. The Globe’s Structure

5. The Globe Theater was open air (no roof) & three levels high.

6. The Globe could fit between 2,000 to 3,000 spectators. The Globe could fit between 2,000 to 3,000 spectators. All performances were conducted during the day (No lighting!). All performances were conducted during the day (No lighting!). There was no acoustics, so actors had to shout their lines and exaggerate their gestures. (No sound system!) There was no acoustics, so actors had to shout their lines and exaggerate their gestures. (No sound system!)

7. The actors had costumes and props, but no background scenery. The actors had costumes and props, but no background scenery. A change in the scene was indicated through speeches or narrations Shakespeare wrote into the play. A change in the scene was indicated through speeches or narrations Shakespeare wrote into the play. The plays were about three hours long. The plays were about three hours long.

8. The Audience The audience included both common citizens as well as wealthy and elite citizens. The audience included both common citizens as well as wealthy and elite citizens. For one penny you could stand and view the play; they were called groundlings. For one penny you could stand and view the play; they were called groundlings.

9. For two pennies you could get a seat above the groundlings. For two pennies you could get a seat above the groundlings. The Globe was a place were all walks of life came together. The Globe was a place were all walks of life came together.

10. The Actors The actors were all males, so the female parts were played by young boys. The actors were all males, so the female parts were played by young boys. Acting was considered a “purple profession”. Acting was considered a “purple profession”. Actors were vulnerable to arrest on charges of vagrancy (being without a job or home). Actors were vulnerable to arrest on charges of vagrancy (being without a job or home).

11. Then and Now The original Globe stood until June 29 th 1613. The original Globe stood until June 29 th 1613. Unfortunately, it caught on fire and burned to the ground when a cannon was fired during a performance of Henry VIII. Unfortunately, it caught on fire and burned to the ground when a cannon was fired during a performance of Henry VIII.

12. Shakespeare died three years later at the age of 52, April 23 rd 1616. Shakespeare died three years later at the age of 52, April 23 rd 1616. The Globe was rebuilt in 1614, but in 1642 a more religious regime came into power and closed all theaters in England. The Globe was rebuilt in 1614, but in 1642 a more religious regime came into power and closed all theaters in England.

13. Two years later, the theater was torn down and homes were built in its place. Two years later, the theater was torn down and homes were built in its place. Recently, the Globe has been rebuilt. Recently, the Globe has been rebuilt.

16. The Inside of the new Globe Theater

18. The Virtual Tour Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Bankside, Southwark, London.htm Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Bankside, Southwark, London.htm Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Bankside, Southwark, London.htm Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Bankside, Southwark, London.htm