The Globe Theater

1. The Globe Theater “The Wooden O”

2. The Most Famous Theater in History • Opened in 1599 • Located on the Thames River • Shaped like a circle or an octagon • Accommodated an audience of 3,000

3. The Globe’s Origins • Refusal to renew land lease • The Theater dismantled and rebuilt across the Thames River (1500 ft from Old London Bridge) • Updated and modernized • Shakespeare owned 10%

4. Shakespeare’s Showcase • 1599-1613 Mainly Shakespeare’s plays were produced at the Globe • Wrote plays with dimensions of Globe in mind • Building and playwright complemented each other

5. Patrons of the Globe • Arrived by foot, carriage, ferry boats • 1 penny to stand in “pit” • 2 or 3 pennies for gallery seat Additional penny for a cushion

6. Patrons Etiquette • Groundlings would indulge in alcoholic beverages and food • Noisy • Boo, hiss, and throw things to show disapproval • Impatient, play needed to move quickly

7. Characteristics of The Globe • Partial roof - natural light • Color of flag flying announced a play performance that day • Minimal scenery • Relied on actors for volume • Exaggerated gestures and facial expressions

8. The Play’s the Thing! • Preshow Bear-baiting • Only male actors, young boys played female roles • 2 p.m. performance • Usually 2 hours in length • 3-week run of play • Actors have multiple roles

9. The Globe’s Demise • Burned down in 1613 • Built more elaborate theater on same spot the following year • Torn down in 1644 by Puritans because plays were immoral

10. Theater Diagram • The Inner Yard • The Tiring House • The Inner Stage • The Stage • The Pit • The Heavens