……The Globe The Globe TheatreTheatre

• The Globe was built in 1599 using wood from an The Globe was built in 1599 using wood from an earlier theatre: the Theatre which had been built in earlier theatre: the Theatre which had been built in 1576 by James Burbage.1576 by James Burbage.

• In 1597 the Theatre’s lease expired and the In 1597 the Theatre’s lease expired and the company of the owners (which included company of the owners (which included Shakespeare himself) decided to transfer the theatre Shakespeare himself) decided to transfer the theatre and they rebuilt it on the south side of the Thames, and they rebuilt it on the south side of the Thames, with the name of “The Globe” .with the name of “The Globe” .

• It immediately became very popular It immediately became very popular and it attracted all social classes.and it attracted all social classes.

•Unfortunately the Globe was Unfortunately the Globe was destroyed by a fire in 1613.destroyed by a fire in 1613.

• Like the other theatres in London, it Like the other theatres in London, it was closed by the Puritans in 1642 was closed by the Puritans in 1642 because it was considered immoral.because it was considered immoral.

The Internal LayoutThe Internal Layout• The stageThe stage had no curtains and was had no curtains and was

covered by a thatched roof supported covered by a thatched roof supported by two pillars.by two pillars.

• It couldn’t house more than twelve It couldn’t house more than twelve actors.actors.

• In front of it there was an uncovered In front of it there was an uncovered central area called “the pit”, central area called “the pit”, surrounded by three roofed tiers of surrounded by three roofed tiers of galleries. galleries.

• In the gallery above the stage could In the gallery above the stage could stay the musicians or it could be used stay the musicians or it could be used for balcony scenes, for example in for balcony scenes, for example in “Romeo and Juliet”.“Romeo and Juliet”.

• The theatre relied on the The theatre relied on the immagination of the audience. immagination of the audience. For example since performances For example since performances took place in daylight a candle took place in daylight a candle simbolised a night scene.simbolised a night scene.

• Because of no curtains a scene Because of no curtains a scene ended when the actors had gone ended when the actors had gone off the stage.off the stage.

• Standing seat in the pit cost only Standing seat in the pit cost only one penny and prices reached six one penny and prices reached six pence for seated places in the pence for seated places in the roofed galleries. roofed galleries.

Shakespeare’s Shakespeare’s GlobeGlobe• The new Globe theatre was The new Globe theatre was

founded by the American Sam founded by the American Sam Wanamaker and it was completed Wanamaker and it was completed in June 1997.in June 1997.

• It consists of three enterprises.It consists of three enterprises.1.1. The Globe Theatre with a The Globe Theatre with a

professional actors’ company.professional actors’ company.2.2. Globe Education which works with Globe Education which works with

students, talking about students, talking about Shakespeare.Shakespeare.

3.3. Shakespeare’s Globe Exhibition , Shakespeare’s Globe Exhibition , the main exhibition in the world the main exhibition in the world and his contemporaries.and his contemporaries.