"Shakespeare's Globe: The Timeless Experience of Elizabethan Theater"

The Globe Theater

The Globe • I. Opened in 1599 • II. Located on south bank of Thames River • III. Also called the “Wooden O” --octagonal shape similar to an O • IV. Accommodated about 3,000 people

The Globe • V. Groundlings stood on 3 sides of stage and paid a penny admission. • VI. Globe open tothe sky---actors and patrons were protected fromweather, but groundlings were not

The Globe • VII. Minimal scenery, natural lighting, words gave time of day and often place of scene

The Globe • VIII. Audiences liked action, duels, murders, clowns, ghosts, witches, noise, puns, wit, asides, music, shouting

The Globe • IX. Length • A. Lasted about 2-21/2 hours • B. Usually began at noon or 2 P.M. • X. Scenes were over when there was a change of tapestry or actors

The Globe • XI. No female actresses---Apprentice actors (males) played female parts • XII. Announcements of plays • A. Playbills were posted in the city • B. Flagwas raised atop theater--- different color flag for • differenttype of play.

The Globe • XIII. Techniques • A. Pun -- humorous play on words indicating different meanings • B. Metaphor -- comparison of two things not using like or as • C. Conceit -- whimsical, extravagant, fanciful ideas

The GlobeTechniques • D. Soliloquy -- device whereby the actor on stage makes his feelings and thoughts known by talking aloud to himself and to the audience • E. Aside -- device whereby actors saysomething to the audience without the other people on stage being able to hear him

The Globe • XIV. Props • A. Buy pigs’ bladders, fill with blood (worn under tunic or costume). Puncture bladder, blood spills out--audience loved this. Remember, Shakespeare starts every play with a fight • B. Minimal furniture props

The Globe • XV. Miscellaneous • A. Scenery usually wasn’t relied on. Relied on props and language. • B. Music - Elizabethans loved music; the “ball” was music portion of Romeo and Juliet

The Globe • C. Costumes • Used costumes of Elizabethan era--leotards,tunics, authentic to actor’s times.

The Globe • D. Groundlings • Paid 1 cent to get in; no seats for them; took own lunches; would often throw things (banana peels) at the actors.

The Globe • E. Women • Theater was not the place to be seen • Thought of as a place of sin • Most did not go with the exception of really rich and “ladies of the evening” (who often practiced their profession in the Pit where the groundlings were)

The Globe • F. Flags told that a play was beingpresented and about to start. Different colors denoted different types of plays--new play, tragedy, history, comedy

The Globe • G. Everyone went in front door to the pit--1 cent • Pay more to sit under a covering • Really rich sat in boxes by musicians • Pay 6 cents to sit in Lord’s Room

The Globe • H. Tiring House • Area behind stage (green room) • “Retire” -- rest, catch breath when not acting; actors spoke lines very fast • “Attire” -- place where actors changed costumes

The Globe • I. Pit (also known as the Yard) • Place where “groundlings” stood • 1000 people could stand • Became so smelly and hot that groundlings were also nicknamed • “stinkards” • Shakespeare works hard to appeal to groundlings

J. Hell Under the platform Also used for storage K. Turret Named because of shape--top of castle; round room Storage for props and sometimes cannons for war plays The Globe

The Globe

Works Cited

"Shakespeare's Globe: The Timeless Experience of Elizabethan Theater"