The Globe Theatre

The Globe cutaway notes 1. Flag Black= tragedy White=comedy Red= history Signified which type of play was being performed 2. The “Heavens” Ceiling over the stage – blue w/ golden stars Protected the actors from too much sun or rain Also used for storage and additional sound effects

The Globe cutaway notes 3. Galleries Tiered covered seating Wooden benches Cost more Cushion for a penny Thatched roof to keep out the sun and rain 4. Support Pillars Wooden pillars supported the roof and were painted to look like marble

The Globe cutaway notes 5. Trap Door Actors playing ghosts or witches could rise or descend through this door built into the main stage. 6. Open Yard Groundlings stood; no seats here Audiences paid one penny Would often “participate” in play Audience could throw things if they didn’t like the play During the height of the summer the groundlings were also referred to as ' stinkards '

The Globe cutaway notes 7. Main Stage “Apron” stage (shape of stage) 4’ to 5’ high Audiences could sit on all three sides 8. Inner Stage Indoor scenes Curtain could be opened and closed for scene changes

The Globe cutaway notes 9. Tiring House Dressing and storage rooms The actors used this area to change their attire - hence the name 'Tiring House'. Lavish (fancy) costumes stored here Large props stored here 10. “Hell” Storage area – second trap door Allowed for the dramatic entrance of “ghosts” 11. Upper Stage Bedroom and balcony scenes

Globe facts: At the start of each play after collecting money from the audience the admission collectors took boxes full of money to a room backstage – the box office. Theatre was a big deal. The people had no other mediums to escape (no PlayStation or Xbox, and books were very expensive to buy. It was their chance to indulge in fantasy narratives. Women were not allowed to act on stage; all the roles were played by men.

Globe facts: No electricity, hence the open roof. The Globe Theater had a 1500 plus audience capacity. Up to 3000 people would flock to the theatre and its grounds. Could buy food and drink during the play No toilets at The Globe. . . So, it’s very likely they just used a bucket. Special effects included: smoke effects, the firing of a real canon, fireworks (for dramatic battle scenes) and spectacular 'flying' entrances from the rigging in the 'heavens'. Fire at the Globe Theatre broke out in June 29, 1613 when a cannon caught the roof on fire.

Globe facts: The motto of the Globe was “Totus mundus agit histrionem” -- “The whole world is a playhouse” Lower class citizens (the vast majority of people back then) would bathe maybe three times a year.  The upper class bathed around twice a month.  Mostly, they just washed their hands and face and combed their hair.  They relied on their underclothes to soak up dirt and smells and changed these as often as they could afford to have them washed.  They also used perfumes and sweet waters to cover up bad smells.

Lent 40 day religious period during which acting was banned. Shakespeare would travel home to see his family (to Stratford Upon Avon)

The plague Big time problem during Shakespeare’s time. If you contracted it, you stood a 70% chance of dying. During plague outbreaks, the Globe would be closed. . . Why would this be important? Shakespeare’s only son, Hamnet, died of the plague.

The Globe today