Globe Theatre “The Wooden O”

1576 – James Burbage built the first English theatre

1598 – Landowners would not renew the lease – theatre was dismantled and rebuilt across the Thames River

1599 – The theatre was rebuilt and named The Globe Theatre

Shakespeare performed most of his plays at the Globe and owned 10% of the theatre.

Prices to attend the theatre range from 1 penny to 1 shilling (12 cents). Prices were double on the first performance.

Performances began around 2:00- 3:00 P.M. after lunch but while the sun was still bright. Plays were announced by a flag being raised on top of the theatre. A white flag indicated a comedy and a black flag signaled a tragedy 3 trumpet blasts signaled that the play was beginning.

All kinds of people came to the plays: nobility, merchant class, apprentices, thieves, beggars, etc. Merchants sold their goods during the performances. Average weekly attendance to the theatre was 20,000 people.

The Globe Theatre was round and could seat 2,000 people. The stage was 5 ½ feet high—this kept the audience from jumping on the stage. Groundlings- stood on the ground in front of the stage– their admission price was one penny- known as the “penny public”.

The stage had three areas of acting: 1. outer stage 2. middle stage 3. inner stage The ceiling of the stage areas was known as the “Heavens” and was painted with signs of the zodiac: sun, moon, stars etc.

Under the stage’s trap door was an area known as “Hell” used for special effects such as ghosts coming and going. Plays were free of interruption: no curtains or scenery.

Props were kept to a minimum – swords, daggers, shields, scrolls, dishes, candles. Props were brought on and taken off the stage as the play progressed.

Costumes were the dress of everyday life. People of this time period were very class conscious – the fabric of one’s clothing indicated to others his/her station in life. satin- taffeta- velvet =aristocrats (rich) coarse wool = commoner canvas aprons = working men (labors)

The color of the actors clothes symbolized their status in the play. scarlet = rulers dark blue = servants yellow = jealous character orange = pride light blue = honor rose = gallantry

Most costumes were very lavish, colorful and expensive Women were not actors so the parts of women were played by young boys – high voice and no beard.

The skills an actor had to have were: 1. good fencer 2. dancer, musician 3. good speaking voice

1613 – Globe Theatre was destroyed during a performance of Henry VIII. Fire from a cannon landed on the thatched roof and caught fire – More elaborate theatre was built on the same spot.

1644 – The Puritans tore down the Globe Theatre because they believed plays were immoral and caused sin – The London fire destroyed all traces of the Globe Theatre – Theatre reopened for performances - was rebuilt in the same place with same materials as the original.