After visiting the Globe on a school trip; I was intrigued to find out more about the theatre that was such a succsess story.
William Shakespeare became a shareholder in the Globe in 1599, paying for 12.5% of its construction. He had been acting alongside Lord Chamberlain’s men since 1594 and thought it was time to invest. Shakespeare’s involvement allowed him to profit of the playhouse while also performing his plays there. Before 1599, plays were normally performed on the streets, in rich peoples' houses or in churches, so the new era of playhouses was revolutionary. Kept outside of London’s walls, the playhouses became more and more popular by the day.
The Globe is constructed in the shape of a circle with an open roof top; the exposed top allowed sunlight to light the performances. Due to the Globe’s circular structure, the stage could be seen from all directions. With balconies behind the stage and seating all around, the actors couldn’t hide from the audience. This brought the plays to life and made it an immersing experience.
Using painted wood disguised as marble pillars, the Globe was full of fake structures made to look expensive. Due to the huge expense and difficulty of importing at the time, the constructors did what they could do make the Globe look impressive. Although they didn’t have the proper materials, the stage and decorations are still outstanding.
After it’s construction in 1599, the Globe was a huge triumph. Attracting attention from all over, it became a huge success. However, in 1613 it burnt to the ground due to an accident involving a cannon during a performance from Henry VIII. The Globe was swiftly rebuilt in 1614, showing the owners intent to keep it going.
Centuries later, it was brought back to life in the mid 1990s. Using it’s foundations and the exact same building techniques, the Globe was resurrected to its former beauty. Standing in London today, it serves as a celebration of Shakespeare’s work.
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