THE GLOBE THEATER

THE GLOBE THEATER

By the mid-16th century, the art of drama in England was three centuries old, but the idea of housing it in a permanent building was new.

In 1576, James Burbage built the first public theater and called it… The Theater.

Theaters that followed: the Curtain, the Rose, the Swan, the Fortune, the Globe, the Red Bull, and the Hope.

THE FIRST GLOBE

Origin of the First Globe: The Lord Chamberlain’s Men originally

performed in a different theater (built by James Burbage in 1576).

When their lease came to a close, Richard Burbage bought the Black Friars Theatre.

In 1598, however, after many complaints from neighbors and a successful petition to the city fathers to keep the acting troupe out of Black Friars, the acting company took action.

They returned to the original theatre built by Burbage, stripped it to its foundation, moved the materials across the Thames to Bankside, and proceeded to construct the Globe Theatre.

THE FIRST GLOBE, continued…

This endeavor was not without controversy (since Burbage’s original theater had

merely been under lease to Shakespeare’s company – not owned). Upon notification of the incident, the

owner – who had been away from London at the time – filed a lawsuit against the

company. Somehow, Shakespeare’s acting company won the case and continued producing at the “newly

acquired” theatre – the Globe.

THE GLOBE, continued…

The Globe is the most famous of the public theaters because of the company that Shakespeare belonged to owned it.

Referred to as “This Wooden O” by Shakespeare.

General admission to the theater cost one penny; this entitled a spectator to be a groundling, which meant he or she could stand in the yard.

THE GLOBE, continued…

It was an open-air octagonal amphitheater that held appx. 2500-3000 people.

The theater was three stories high, with a diameter of approx. 100 feet.

The rectangular stage was nearly 43’ wide and 28’ deep.

The higher the seat the more expensive, opposite of today where floor seats are considered best. The standing room in the floor were the cheapest seats; people here were called “groundlings.”

THE GLOBE

THE GLOBE

Rehearsal time was minimal, and actors learned their parts in about a week.

A leading man usually had to memorize 800 lines per day (and may have to retain over 70 different roles in a three year period).

THE GLOBE

Women were not permitted to act, therefore all parts were played by prepubescent males.

Younger boys whose voice had not yet turned would play girls, thus the reason that Shakespeare’s plays rarely showed kissing or anything physically sexual.

While sex was often a major topic in Shakespearian plays, most things were insinuated and left to the imagination.

Because there was an obvious lack of “feminine beauty,” Shakespeare made sure that his female heroines were interesting, witty, and intelligent.

INTERESTING FACTS

Other interesting facts about the Globe:

Shows often began with bearbaiting or acrobatics.

Performances were given every day but Sunday.

Plays ran from 2:00-5:00 p.m. so there was natural light.

A new play was held at the Globe about every 3 weeks (thus, there was little time to memorize and rehearse – so actors had to be skilled).

The theater was open regardless of weather.

MORE INTERESTING FACTS

Since the Puritan city fathers would not permit any open advertising due to the “immoral nature” of plays, the audience knew to arrive around 2:00 p.m. as signaled by a raised flag:black = tragedy white = comedy red = history)

Special effects used: trap door, fake blood, organs, etc.

Scenery and props were minimal, but costumes were extravagant (made of gold, lace, silk, and velvet – often the castoffs of the aristocratic patrons). Actors also wore makeup, an abomination to the Puritans.

EVEN MORE INTERESTING FACTS

As people entered the theater they would drop their admission into a box (hence the “box office”).

Ticket prices depended on location of the seat (or the lack of one at all).

Vendors offered beer, water, oranges, nuts, gingerbread, and apples, all of which were occasionally thrown at the actors. Hazelnuts were the most popular eating snack of choice.

STILL MOREINTERESTING FACTS

There was not one rest room for any of the three thousand spectators. Nor were there any intermissions. The playhouses had a very distinct smell.

There were three tiers to the stage, corresponding to earth, heaven, and hell. Behind the stage were tiring (attiring)/dressing rooms. This was also where apprentices manned elaborate stage mechanisms. The Elizabethans loved spectacular stage effects.

WebQuest

Use the following website to fill out the back of your handout. Make sure to copy down the most important facts!

http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/about-us/history-of-the-globe

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE

1564 - 1616

BACKGROUND

Shakespeare has been regarded as the greatest writer of the English language (for how he expresses language as well as his understanding and expression of human concerns – the joys, fears, hopes, passions, and weaknesses common to us all ).

All we know about him comes from 4 major sources (a total of approximately 40 documents).

BACKGROUND

Born April 1564 at Stratford-on-Avon.

His birth is unregistered, but legend places it on April 23, 1564, partially because April 23 is the day on which he died 52 years later.

BACKGROUND

In 1582, at age eighteen, William Shakespeare married 26-year-old Anne Hathaway.

Together they had 3 children: Susanna, Hamnet, and Judith.

Around 1589, Shakespeare wrote his first play, Henry VI, Part 1.

Sometime between his marriage and writing this play he and his wife moved to London, where he pursued a career as a playwright and actor.

CAREER

During the beginning of his career, theaters were closed, and Shakespeare turned to writing poetry.

After the reopening of the theater, Shakespeare had become a stockholder/ full sharer in the profits of the acting company known as “The Lord Chamberlain’s Men.”

The Lord Chamberlain’s Men moved into a new theater – The Globe. One of the first plays performed here was Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Julius Caesar.

CAREER

Many plays were performed at the Royal Court (for Queen Elizabeth). When she died, Shakespeare’s company received the enthusiastic patronage of her successor, King James I (thus, the acting company was known thereafter as “the King’s Men”). The Globe rose to even greater prominence during this time.

In the end, Shakespeare wrote 37 plays, 4 full-length poems, and 154 sonnets.

DEATH

It is believed that Shakespeare died of a “fever” on his supposed birthday (April 23, 1616).

He died a prosperous and respected man, and he was buried at Trinity Church at Stratford-on-Avon, per his request.

He feared they would move his body to Westminster Abbey where most famous writers were buried - so he placed an ominous curse on his own grave. His wishes were respected and only a statue of him is at Westminster Abbey.

INTERESTING FACTS

Plays were so in demand that there was use of stock characters and situations produced in haste by up to 12 men/boys. Actors started their training very early.

Regardless of the fact that the sets and lighting were very minimal, the audience demanded realism. It was a great amount of work and pressure (and acting was not given its due respect by people).

INTERESTING FACTS

With the cultivation of the arts, playwriting began to be considered a skill. Highborn audience members wanted to keep play copies in their libraries (which increased the demand for the written word).

During Shakespeare’s earlier writing years, he followed the set traditions for comedy and tragedy, but he later developed his own style focusing on the human condition.

SHAKESPEARE’S WRITING

Poetry

Typically Sonnets (usually 3 stanzas of 4 lines each ending with a rhyming couplet…rhymed abab cdcd efef gg).

Iambic Pentameter was most frequently used. (Iambic= 10 syllables) and (Pentameter= 5 beats per meter).

Comedies

(Much Ado About Nothing, The Taming of the Shrew, etc)

Usually dealt with ‘lovers.’

SHAKESPEARE’S WRITING

Tragedies

(Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, King Lear, etc.)

Conflicts, ‘tragic fall,’ much death, and ends unhappily.

Histories

(Henry V, Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra, etc.)

Based on historical figures/events, (sometimes loosely based) typically either European History or Ancient Roman

With a patriotic purpose