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The Globe Theatre
History, diagrams & informational links
Built in 1599 by William Shakespeare's theatre company in London, the open-air Globe Theatre seated 3,000 and was three stories high. Made of wood, it burned to the ground in 1613 when a cannon shot during a performance of Shakespeare's Henry VIII set the gallery's thatched roof ablaze. A rebuilt Globe operated from 1614 to 1642, when Puritans (led by Oliver Cromwell) closed it as part of a "morality" campaign--along with many (if not all) other London theatres.
The Bard was one of six original owners of the venue, and as others were added to the roster, his share reportedly slid to only about 7% over time.
(pictured: Department 56 
A modern reconstruction of the Globe opened in 1997, about 750 feet from the original site. It offers wonderful live productions--Shakespeare, of course--for modern audiences. Tours and other educational programs are on tap, too.
More information
- New World Encyclopedia: The Globe Theatre
Wondering why parts of Shakespeare's Globe were called "Heaven" and "Hell"? This writeup explains the layout, describes the audiences in Shakespeare's day, and outlines Globe Theatre history. - Globe Theatre Study Guide
Useful for teachers, this guide touches on builders, actors & more. - Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
Appealingly concise overview from absoluteshakespeare.com - Overview of the theatre
Includes some nice detail on the backstage area and dressing rooms. - Reconstructed Globe Theatre website
Everything you need to know about the modern Globe.
Visualize the venue - With diagrams and illustrations...
My son had to create a Globe Theater diagram for a school project and had a surprisingly hard time finding inspiration online. Ultimately he created this labeled drawing with bits & pieces of info he gathered. Came out pretty nice!
Unfortunately no labeling on this one, but it gives a sense of the in-the-round presentation audiences enjoyed.
illustration via thepowderedgemdiaries.blogspot.com
Check out the key for an explanation of different parts of the building, from the multipurpose "Heavens" ceiling above the stage to the entrance where collectors put a penny (bargain, eh?) from each visitor into a collection box -- hence the term "box office."
A brief educational clip ... - from the Kennedy Center
Lively audiences would snack on nuts and compete for attention with the actors onstage, explains a Shakespeare expert in this clip on the Globe Theatre. Several fun details like this are packed into just a couple minutes of video.
Globe Theatre history
These books brings it to life!
Created for kids but handy for all ages, Welcome to the Globe tells the story of the Globe Theatre through firsthand narrative by several characters --poor and wealthy theatregoers, an actor, an apple seller & a pickpocket -- who would have been there in 1602. Fact-filled sidebars deliver the educational goods.
Gifted illustrator (and writer) Aliki structures this lively book as a play, exploring Shakespeare's Globe "act by act."
Delight a fan of this Bard by gifting this 3D pop-up theatre, complete with 20 little punch-out characters and script booklets for two, to enact famous scenes. Lots of factual info too.
Way into the Globe? Check out this cool theatre replica.
Have you toured the modern Globe Theatre reconstruction? Do you love Shakespeare? How's your day going? ;)
Have you visited?
Szeretem a csokit!
I have yet to see it.
- Author
@anonymous: Under the third drawing, there's a link that says "click here for the key" -- check that out for lots of info on why the theatre was designed the way it was. As far as Shakespeare being boring, my only tips would be to try to get the Folger paperback editions of whatever play(s) you're reading, as they do a good job summarizing each scene and explaining all the language -- and then try to get audio (CD) versions of the play you're reading from your library. It really helps to hear the lines as you read them. Good luck :)
i find shakespeare very boring also why does the globe look weird. asdwell coz dis is 4 my english homework n im kindastuck so yh if u could help.
I have been there. Interesting piece of history.
I have been there. Interesting piece of history.
I think this is the oldest theatre in continuous use. I read every one of Shakespeare's plays in college. He was a genius!
Saw one play there and toured the place several times.
I have been to the Globe many times and seen some wonderful performances. I've also been on a tour and have taken school children there on school trips. But then I do live in London. My wife used to be a drama teacher so she has performed on stage there. And of course we were amazed when they started building it. Thnaks for this very interesting lens.
@KimGiancaterino: I love miss marpel!!!
@anonymous: Hehe podge
No I haven't since I live in the US - but now I would lie to see it. My day is going fine. I'm neutral on Shakespeare.
@anonymous: I would to as well I love theatre and shakespear!!!
@anonymous: Wow lucky I really want to go to the globe it sounds amazing!!
Have never been but I enjoy Shakespeare and learning about his life and times.
Fun Lens! I've never visited, but must put it on my bucket list.
Nice lens thumbs up!
- Author
@anonymous: wow -- now I REALLY want to visit the Globe! what fantastic experiences you had
I have toured the modern Globe Theatre and attended a performance as a groundling. It was a wonderful experience, I was a student at LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Arts) at the time. I also had the opportunity to attend Shakespearean performances in Stratford at the Swan and to participate in master classes with the RSC. It was a dream of a lifetime. To walk down the isle of the church were Shakespeare was baptized, married and now lies buried was unimaginable.
Never been to this theatre. Enjoyed seeing the inside views. Great lens!
Your son's diagram of the Globe Theatre is charming.
I have never had the opportunity to visit the Globe Theatre, but I do enjoy (some) Shakespeare. Nice lens
I never knew all this. Thanks for the great info!
I've been to Bath in England, I may have been to Stratford upon Avon in England too. It would have been a day trip while i was over there in 1990. I like the cheekyness of Shakespeare, once you get past the hard parts of the dialogue, there's oftentimes little pockets of humor to ease the load for the spectator or perhaps it was more fun for him to write it that way. Have you seen A Midsummer Night's Dream with Kevin Kline as Bottom? If not I recommend it. He does a good job and it's a plush cast. I don't recall the rating though. I saw the play in London while there studying theatre for a semester- the play featured punks as elves full on with chains studded neckwear, and wings (I think) very fun! A good version of Hamlet is the one with Mel Gibson (before his struggles with alcohol...) The blocking and the sets make it make sense. Italian costumers, and director did a good job, Its nice to look at. Which helps. I used exerpts from that movie to illuminate the play for my co-op drama class. The boys wanted action and adventure, and hadn't quite belived that Shakespeare could deliver. It worked! :)
I'm exhausted but only a few more weeks left till the end of this school year. :)
Thanks for asking.
Sincerely, Anna2of5
helped tremendously thanks(:
Yes its very nice i guess
I want to see it so much. Globe theater is some kind of magical place for me
very useful diagrams used for school project - thanks
No, I've never been there - until this virtual visit via your lens. Thank you for sharing the images of that majestic building - and its history!
used it for a school project tnx
I would love to go for a School Drama trip, it would be so cool to see what it would be like in Shakespeares time!
I would love to see the modern Globe. How neat it would be to see a Shakespeare play performed there!
No, but i hope i will. Btw, very nice lens! thumbs up
no
I have never been there but would love to see it someday, along with all the other stuff in the UK. Blessed by a Squid Angel
Where would we all be without the Globe?
nope. Im workin on it. i like actin it out though. luv drama. and my days going fine thxz!
nope. Im workin on it. i like actin it out though. luv drama. and my days going fine thxz!
I've peeked through the outside a few times but haven't made it inside yet. I plan on actually taking the tour next time I'm in London.
It'd be great if the Globe Theatre lasted as long as its original incarnation. I like Shakespeare's plays when they're performed but I don't read any of them.
Very nice lens! squidlike!
- Author
@greenmind: that is too funny!
I've been here! Also one of my students once referred to Shakespeare as "The Bird of Avon." Good stuff.
Lovely lens and tribute. Angel blessed!
this doesn't tell u a lot of things i need to use for work about shakespeares globe theater
alright
i like this lense
Someday, hopefully I will visit the Globe theatre. Great lens. Love the addition of your son's drawing. Blessed.
Definitely on my bucket list of places I want to visit. Great lens.
Good to find information here about this theatre. Like the diagrams especially
I love theatres with trap doors. We recently watched a B&W Miss Marple mystery that took place in a big theatre like this. Very nice ... I love the drawings!
I love the cut-away diagrams especially.
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