…The Globe Theatre

The Globe was built in 1599 using wood from an earlier theatre: the Theatre which had been built in 1576 by James Burbage.The Globe was built in 1599 using wood from an earlier theatre: the Theatre which had been built in 1576 by James Burbage. In 1597 the Theatre’s lease expired and the company of the owners (which included Shakespeare himself) decided to transfer the theatre and they rebuilt it on the south side of the Thames, with the name of “The Globe”.In 1597 the Theatre’s lease expired and the company of the owners (which included Shakespeare himself) decided to transfer the theatre and they rebuilt it on the south side of the Thames, with the name of “The Globe”.

It immediately became very popular and it attracted all social classes. It immediately became very popular and it attracted all social classes. Unfortunately the Globe was destroyed by a fire in Unfortunately the Globe was destroyed by a fire in Like the other theatres in London, it was closed by the Puritans in 1642 because it was considered immoral. Like the other theatres in London, it was closed by the Puritans in 1642 because it was considered immoral.

The Internal Layout The stage had no curtains and was covered by a thatched roof supported by two pillars. The stage had no curtains and was covered by a thatched roof supported by two pillars. It couldn’t house more than twelve actors. It couldn’t house more than twelve actors. In front of it there was an uncovered central area called “the pit”, surrounded by three roofed tiers of galleries. In front of it there was an uncovered central area called “the pit”, surrounded by three roofed tiers of galleries. In the gallery above the stage could stay the musicians or it could be used for balcony scenes, for example in “Romeo and Juliet”. In the gallery above the stage could stay the musicians or it could be used for balcony scenes, for example in “Romeo and Juliet”.

The theatre relied on the immagination of the audience. For example since performances took place in daylight a candle simbolised a night scene. The theatre relied on the immagination of the audience. For example since performances took place in daylight a candle simbolised a night scene. Because of no curtains a scene ended when the actors had gone off the stage. Because of no curtains a scene ended when the actors had gone off the stage. Standing seat in the pit cost only one penny and prices reached six pence for seated places in the roofed galleries. Standing seat in the pit cost only one penny and prices reached six pence for seated places in the roofed galleries.

Shakespeare’s Globe The new Globe theatre was founded by the American Sam Wanamaker and it was completed in June The new Globe theatre was founded by the American Sam Wanamaker and it was completed in June It consists of three enterprises. It consists of three enterprises. 1.The Globe Theatre with a professional actors’ company. 2.Globe Education which works with students, talking about Shakespeare. 3.Shakespeare’s Globe Exhibition, the main exhibition in the world and his contemporaries.