The Globe The Globe TheatreTheatre

Past and Past and PresentPresent

Three Globe TheatresThree Globe Theatres

The original Globe Theatre, built in 1599 The original Globe Theatre, built in 1599 by the playing company to which by the playing company to which Shakespeare belonged, and destroyed by Shakespeare belonged, and destroyed by fire in 1613. fire in 1613.

The Globe Theatre was rebuilt in 1614 The Globe Theatre was rebuilt in 1614 and closed in 1642. and closed in 1642.

A modern reconstruction of the original A modern reconstruction of the original Globe, named "Shakespeare's Globe Globe, named "Shakespeare's Globe Theatre", opened in 1997. Theatre", opened in 1997.

The Original Globe TheatreThe Original Globe Theatre

The Globe was the principal The Globe was the principal playhouse of the Lord Chamberlain's playhouse of the Lord Chamberlain's Men (who would become the King's Men (who would become the King's Men in 1603) Men in 1603)

The Globe was owned by a group of The Globe was owned by a group of actors, who (except for one) were actors, who (except for one) were also shareholders in the Lord also shareholders in the Lord Chamberlain's Men. Chamberlain's Men.

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

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

The Globe was built using timber from The Globe was built using timber from an earlier theatre called an earlier theatre called The TheatreThe Theatre. .

On June 29, 1613, the Globe Theatre On June 29, 1613, the Globe Theatre went up in flames during the first went up in flames during the first performance of performance of Henry the EighthHenry the Eighth. A . A theatrical cannon, set off during the theatrical cannon, set off during the performance, misfired, igniting the performance, misfired, igniting the wooden beams and thatching. wooden beams and thatching.

Like all the other theatres in London, Like all the other theatres in London, the Globe was closed down by the the Globe was closed down by the Puritans in 1642. It was destroyed in Puritans in 1642. It was destroyed in 1644 to make room for tenements. 1644 to make room for tenements.

A New Era of The Globe A New Era of The Globe TheatreTheatre

A new Globe theatre was built according A new Globe theatre was built according to an Elizabethan (1558-1603) plan. to an Elizabethan (1558-1603) plan.

Although the reconstruction was Although the reconstruction was carefully researched, the original plan carefully researched, the original plan was modified by the addition of was modified by the addition of sprinklers on the roof to protect against sprinklers on the roof to protect against fire, and the theatre is partly joined fire, and the theatre is partly joined onto a modern lobby and visitors onto a modern lobby and visitors centre.centre.

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

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

<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Globe_Theatre><http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Globe_Theatre>

Shakespeare’s BirthplaceShakespeare’s Birthplace

Stratford-Upon-Avon, England Stratford-Upon-Avon, England Has become a tourist trap, seeing Has become a tourist trap, seeing

over 3.5 million visitors every yearover 3.5 million visitors every yearMany great authors have made their Many great authors have made their

pilgrimage to the Bard’s birthplacepilgrimage to the Bard’s birthplace

““There are some parts of There are some parts of the plays you’ll never the plays you’ll never

understand. But excuse understand. But excuse me, I thought that’s what me, I thought that’s what great art was supposed to great art was supposed to be about. Don’t freak out be about. Don’t freak out over it. Keep reading.” – over it. Keep reading.” –

Peter SellersPeter Sellers

Shakespeare’s GraveShakespeare’s Grave

Holy Trinity ChurchHoly Trinity ChurchA few blocks from his birthplace, on A few blocks from his birthplace, on

the River Avonthe River AvonMore than 200,000 tourists every More than 200,000 tourists every

yearyearChurch is still used for servicesChurch is still used for services

““He was not for He was not for an age, but for an age, but for

all time!” all time!”

– – Ben JonsonBen Jonson

Life and Times of Life and Times of William ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare

- b. 1564 in Stratford-Upon-Avon - 1582 married Anne - b. 1564 in Stratford-Upon-Avon - 1582 married Anne Hathaway (8 years his senior) She was pregnantHathaway (8 years his senior) She was pregnant

- b. 1583 daughter Susanna- b. 1583 daughter Susanna - b. 1585 Hamnet and Judith (twins)- b. 1585 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 - wasn’t making enough money in Stratford, decided to

move to Londonmove to London - Shakespeare ended up paying off all his family debts- Shakespeare ended up paying off all his family debts - d. 1616 in Stratford at “New Place” - d. 1616 in Stratford at “New Place” - he was 52- he was 52 - wrote plays during the reign of two monarchs (Queen - wrote plays during the reign of two monarchs (Queen

Elizabeth 1558 – 1603 and King James 1603 – 1625)Elizabeth 1558 – 1603 and King James 1603 – 1625)

Elizabethan EnglandElizabethan England

Medical Issues: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 - Shakespeare’s own son died during

childhoodchildhood - many women died during childbirth- many women died during childbirth - famine was prevalent- famine was prevalent - simple medical procedures could result in - simple medical procedures could result in

death because of infection (pulled tooth)death because of infection (pulled tooth)

ReligionReligion

- most people believed in God- most people believed in GodEngland was protestant, having broken away from England was protestant, having broken away from

the Catholic church (Reformation)the Catholic church (Reformation)- Catholics were ostracized from the community Catholics were ostracized from the community

and countryand country

After Elizabethan Era – Jacobean EraAfter Elizabethan Era – Jacobean Era- Protestant Puritans wanted to rid the church of - Protestant Puritans wanted to rid the church of

anything that was of the Catholic church. anything that was of the Catholic church. - They believed fine clothing, drinking, gambling - They believed fine clothing, drinking, gambling

and going to see plays were all things that and going to see plays were all things that would / could condemn you to hellwould / could condemn you to hell

Folklore / SuperstitionFolklore / Superstition

- some believed in fairies, goblins and spirits. - some believed in fairies, goblins and spirits. - insanity, nightmares were thought to be - insanity, nightmares were thought to be

caused by the influence of these spiritscaused by the influence of these spirits - witch hunting prevalent: people (women) - witch hunting prevalent: people (women)

were accused of being witches if they were were accused of being witches if they were simply socially awkward. Killed by the simply socially awkward. Killed by the church.church.

- disease and disasters were blamed on - disease and disasters were blamed on witches.witches.

- Astrology was important- Astrology was important

Life in LondonLife in London

- port city, growing, poverty and wealth in - port city, growing, poverty and wealth in great contrastgreat contrast

- lots of entertainment: cock fighting and - lots of entertainment: cock fighting and bear baitingbear baiting

people liked to watch public beatings and people liked to watch public beatings and executionsexecutions

The Black Death – Bubonic Plague: 1592-The Black Death – Bubonic Plague: 1592-15941594

1603 - 16041603 - 1604 16231623

Over 100 000 people died. Disease was Over 100 000 people died. Disease was carried on rats.carried on rats.

TheatreTheatre

- town squares - town squares - village greens- village greens - not popular in the beginning - not popular in the beginning - Audience: cheap tickets (one - Audience: cheap tickets (one

penny)penny) expensive ticket (6 pence)expensive ticket (6 pence) - Ranging in class. Thieves and - Ranging in class. Thieves and

pickpockets were prevalent pickpockets were prevalent - Crowds tended to be pretty rowdy- Crowds tended to be pretty rowdy