The Globe Theatre

The original Globe Theatre was built in 1599 in London on the banks of the Thames River. It was built by Shakespeare’s acting company, Lord Chamberlain’s Men. Timber from an earlier theatre called the “Theatre” that had been build by Richard Burbage and his brother Cuthbert was used to build the Globe. The Globe was patterned after the old Theatre and was a 20-sided structure, as near to a circle as Elizabethan carpentry could make it. It stood more than 30 feet high, with three levels of seating in its galleries. Audience access was either through two narrow passageways under the galleries into the standing room of the yard around the stage or up two external stair towers into the rear of the galleries. Five of the 20 bays of the galleries were cut off by a front wall, behind which was kept costumes, props and changing rooms. The stage was a 5-foot high platform protruding from the front wall into the middle of the yard. Two posts upheld a cover over the stage that protected the players and their expensive costumes from rain. The audience standing in the yard had no cover, though when it rained they could pay more and take shelter in the lowest gallery. About 3000 people could fit inside.

When a black flag flew above the theatre, that meant the current play was a tragedy. If there was a white flag, the audience would enjoy a comedy and a red flag meant a history.

Along with the old timber from the original Theatre, the Globe used thatch for the roof just like many of the houses at the time. It was a fire-hazard waiting to happen. The Globe had a cannon, used for special effects, secured in the roof. It was filled with gunpowder and had been used on many occasions without any problem. However, on June 29, 1613 during a play about Henry VIII sparks from the cannon landed on the thatched roof and caught fire. The audience thought at first that it was part of the show. Luckily, everyone escaped unharmed, before the Globe burned to the ground within 2 hours. One account mentions audience members throwing their beer on a man whose pants were on fire.

The Globe was rebuilt the following year in the same place and remained open until a Puritan religious movement closed in down in 1642 and built housing units.

In 1997 a replica was constructed just 750 feet from the original location. Visitors come from all over the world to learn more about Shakespeare, the Elizabethan Era and to take part in lectures and seminars. Shakespeare’s plays are still performed in at the Globe.

More facts about the Globe Theatre:

*The Globe was built as a large, round, open air theatre. There was a roof around the circumference which covered the seating area, leaving the theatre looking like a doughnut from above.

*At the base of the stage was an area called “the pit” which held “the groundlings” – people who paid just a penny to stand and watch a performance.

*Part of the stage was called the “apron stage” – a rectangular platform that thrust out amongst the audience into the pit.

*William Shakespeare was a shareholder who owned 12.5% of The Globe Theatre. As a young writer Shakespeare bought shares in the theatre and benefited financially as his popularity grew.

*A crest above the main entrance to The Globe Theatre was inscribed with motto “Totus mundus agit histrionem” – Latin for “The whole world is a playhouse”.

*There were no actresses performing at The Globe Theatre – or any other theatre at that time. Female roles were played by young boys as theatre stages were considered too risque a place for ladies.

*The Puritans brought an end to The Globe Theatre in 1642 with an order suppressing all stage plays. In 1644 The Globe Theatre was turned into tenement housing, ending 85 years of turbulent history.

*The Globe was generally considered to be a circular building, however when a small part of the theatre’s foundations were uncovered the late 1980’s it seems that the building was actually a polygon of 20 sides.