The Globe TheaterThe Globe Theater

Interesting Historical FactsInteresting Historical Facts

This sketch is perhaps one of the This sketch is perhaps one of the most important in theatrical history. most important in theatrical history. In 1596, a Dutch student by the In 1596, a Dutch student by the name of Johannes de Witt attended a name of Johannes de Witt attended a play in London at the Swan Theatre. play in London at the Swan Theatre. While there, de Witt made a drawing While there, de Witt made a drawing of the theatre's interior. of the theatre's interior.

A friend, Arend van Buchell, copied A friend, Arend van Buchell, copied this drawing—van Buchell's copy is this drawing—van Buchell's copy is the sketch rendered here—and in the sketch rendered here—and in doing so contributed greatly to doing so contributed greatly to posterity. posterity.

The sketch is the only surviving The sketch is the only surviving contemporary rendering of the contemporary rendering of the interior of an Elizabethan-era public interior of an Elizabethan-era public theatre. As such, it's the closest thing theatre. As such, it's the closest thing historians have to an original picture historians have to an original picture of what the Globe may have looked of what the Globe may have looked like in its heyday.like in its heyday.

Shakespeare's company erected the Shakespeare's company erected the storied Globe Theatre circa 1598 in storied Globe Theatre circa 1598 in London's Bankside district. It was London's Bankside district. It was one of four major theatres in the one of four major theatres in the area, along with the Swan, the area, along with the Swan, the Rose, and the Hope. Rose, and the Hope.

The open-air, octagonal The open-air, octagonal amphitheater rose three stories high amphitheater rose three stories high with a diameter of approximately with a diameter of approximately 100 feet, holding a seating capacity 100 feet, holding a seating capacity of up to 3,000 spectators.of up to 3,000 spectators.

The rectangular stage platform on The rectangular stage platform on which the plays were performed was which the plays were performed was nearly 43 feet wide and 28 feet deep. nearly 43 feet wide and 28 feet deep. This staging area probably housed This staging area probably housed trap doors in its flooring and trap doors in its flooring and primitive rigging overhead for primitive rigging overhead for various stage effects.various stage effects.

The story of the original Globe's The story of the original Globe's construction might be worthy of a construction might be worthy of a Shakespearean play of its own. The Shakespearean play of its own. The Lord Chamberlain's Men had been Lord Chamberlain's Men had been performing in the Theatre, built by performing in the Theatre, built by James Burbage (the father of Richard James Burbage (the father of Richard Burbage) in 1576.Burbage) in 1576.

In 1597, although the company In 1597, although the company technically owned the Theatre, their technically owned the Theatre, their lease on the land on which it stood lease on the land on which it stood expired. Their landlord, Giles Allen, expired. Their landlord, Giles Allen, desired to tear the Theatre down. desired to tear the Theatre down. This led the company to purchase This led the company to purchase property at Blackfriars in Upper property at Blackfriars in Upper Frater Hall, which they bought for Frater Hall, which they bought for £600 and set about converting for £600 and set about converting for theatrical use. theatrical use.

Unfortunately, their aristocratic Unfortunately, their aristocratic neighbors complained to the Privy neighbors complained to the Privy Council about the plans for Council about the plans for Blackfriars. Cuthbert Burbage tried to Blackfriars. Cuthbert Burbage tried to renegotiate the Theatre lease with renegotiate the Theatre lease with Giles Allen in autumn of 1598; Allen Giles Allen in autumn of 1598; Allen vowed to put the wood and timber of vowed to put the wood and timber of the building "to better use."the building "to better use."

Richard and Cuthbert learned of his Richard and Cuthbert learned of his plans and set in motion a plot of plans and set in motion a plot of their own. It seems that the their own. It seems that the company's lease had contained a company's lease had contained a provision allowing them to dismantle provision allowing them to dismantle the building themselves.the building themselves.

In late December of 1598, Allen left In late December of 1598, Allen left London for the countryside. The London for the countryside. The Burbage brothers, their chief Burbage brothers, their chief carpenter, and a party of workmen carpenter, and a party of workmen assembled at the Theatre on the night assembled at the Theatre on the night of December 28. The men stripped of December 28. The men stripped the Theatre down to its foundation, the Theatre down to its foundation, moved the materials across the moved the materials across the Thames to Bankside, and proceeded Thames to Bankside, and proceeded to use them in constructing the Globe. to use them in constructing the Globe.

The endeavor was not without The endeavor was not without controversy. A furious Giles Allen controversy. A furious Giles Allen later sued Peter Street, the later sued Peter Street, the Burbage's carpenter, for £800 in Burbage's carpenter, for £800 in damages. The courts found in favor damages. The courts found in favor of the Lord Chamberlain's Men and of the Lord Chamberlain's Men and ordered Allen to desist from any ordered Allen to desist from any further legal wrangling. further legal wrangling.

The Globe would play host to some of The Globe would play host to some of Shakespeare's greatest works over Shakespeare's greatest works over the next decade. In an ironic the next decade. In an ironic epilogue, the troupe won the right in epilogue, the troupe won the right in 1609 to produce plays at Blackfriars, 1609 to produce plays at Blackfriars, and subsequently split time between and subsequently split time between there and the Globe.there and the Globe.

In 1613, the original Globe Theatre In 1613, the original Globe Theatre burned to the ground when a cannon burned to the ground when a cannon shot during a performance of shot during a performance of Henry Henry VIIIVIII ignited the thatched roof of the ignited the thatched roof of the gallery. The company completed a gallery. The company completed a new Globe on the foundations of its new Globe on the foundations of its predecessor before Shakespeare's predecessor before Shakespeare's death. death.

It continued operating until 1642, It continued operating until 1642, when the Puritans closed it down when the Puritans closed it down (and all the other theatres, as well as (and all the other theatres, as well as any place, for that matter, where any place, for that matter, where people might be entertained). people might be entertained). Puritans razed the building two years Puritans razed the building two years later in 1644 to build tenements later in 1644 to build tenements upon the premises. upon the premises.

The Globe would remain a ghost for The Globe would remain a ghost for the next 352 years.the next 352 years.

The foundations of the Globe were The foundations of the Globe were rediscovered in 1989, rekindling rediscovered in 1989, rekindling interest in a fitful attempt to erect a interest in a fitful attempt to erect a modern version of the amphitheater. modern version of the amphitheater. Led by the vision of the late Sam Led by the vision of the late Sam Wanamaker, workers began Wanamaker, workers began construction in 1993 on the new construction in 1993 on the new theatre near the site of the original. theatre near the site of the original.

The latest Globe Theatre was The latest Globe Theatre was completed in 1996; Queen Elizabeth II completed in 1996; Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the theatre on June officially opened the theatre on June 12, 1997 with a production of 12, 1997 with a production of Henry Henry VV. The Globe is as faithful a . The Globe is as faithful a reproduction as possible to the reproduction as possible to the Elizabethan model, seating 1,500 Elizabethan model, seating 1,500 people between the galleries and the people between the galleries and the "groundlings." In its initial 1997 "groundlings." In its initial 1997 season, the theatre attracted 210,000 season, the theatre attracted 210,000 patrons. patrons.

The Audience and the ActorsThe Audience and the Actors

During Shakespeare's era, the Globe During Shakespeare's era, the Globe Theatre was not in the formal Theatre was not in the formal jurisdiction of London per se, but was jurisdiction of London per se, but was located on the south side of the Thames located on the south side of the Thames River in the Southwark district. Along River in the Southwark district. Along with its predecessors and rivals, the with its predecessors and rivals, the Globe Theatre was part of what might Globe Theatre was part of what might be called the "sporting district" (if not be called the "sporting district" (if not the "red light district") of Greater the "red light district") of Greater London.London.

Although condemned by London Although condemned by London authorities, along with cock-fighting, authorities, along with cock-fighting, bear-baiting and the bawdy attractions bear-baiting and the bawdy attractions of taverns, the Southwark theater of taverns, the Southwark theater district operated outside the legal district operated outside the legal reach of the City's officials. But while reach of the City's officials. But while the Globe Theatre, and indeed, the the Globe Theatre, and indeed, the entire Elizabethan theater scene entire Elizabethan theater scene opened its doors to the low life of the opened its doors to the low life of the pits, it also accommodated an pits, it also accommodated an audience of higher-status, well-heeled, audience of higher-status, well-heeled, and better educated individuals.and better educated individuals.

As Harry Levin notes in his general As Harry Levin notes in his general introduction to the Riverside introduction to the Riverside Shakespeare (1974), the "Globe was Shakespeare (1974), the "Globe was truly a microcosm or little world of truly a microcosm or little world of man". With its logo of Hercules man". With its logo of Hercules holding up the earth (as a temporary holding up the earth (as a temporary replacement to Atlas), the Globe replacement to Atlas), the Globe Theatre constituted a "little world" in Theatre constituted a "little world" in which the social elite rubbed up which the social elite rubbed up against a cross-section of common against a cross-section of common vulgarians, drunken idlers, and other vulgarians, drunken idlers, and other shady, street-wise sorts. shady, street-wise sorts.

Yet, at the same time, the Globe was Yet, at the same time, the Globe was grand even in the eyes of grand even in the eyes of Elizabethan society's most powerful Elizabethan society's most powerful and prosperous leaders. As Levin and prosperous leaders. As Levin also observes in his prefatory essay, also observes in his prefatory essay, recently discovered documents recently discovered documents indicate that reconstructions of the indicate that reconstructions of the Globe as "a quaint little Tudor Globe as "a quaint little Tudor cottage" have been errant, since cottage" have been errant, since Burbage's house "may have had Burbage's house "may have had arches, pilaster, and other details of arches, pilaster, and other details of Baroque architecture". Baroque architecture".

Contemporaneous accounts suggests Contemporaneous accounts suggests that the Globe was far more that the Globe was far more impressive than the thatched and impressive than the thatched and half-timbered models of it can half-timbered models of it can capture, having a more spectacular capture, having a more spectacular look to its structure than is look to its structure than is commonly recognized, one that was commonly recognized, one that was further heightened by property further heightened by property embellishments (e.g. fabric embellishments (e.g. fabric hangings) and spectacular hangings) and spectacular pageantry. pageantry.

As the disapproval of the Globe and As the disapproval of the Globe and its counterparts by London's town its counterparts by London's town fathers suggests, the Elizabethan fathers suggests, the Elizabethan theater and the acting companies theater and the acting companies that animated it were looked upon that animated it were looked upon askance by at least some askance by at least some conservative elements in England. conservative elements in England. Considered a purple profession, Considered a purple profession, acting was a precarious way of life acting was a precarious way of life even during the relatively enlightened even during the relatively enlightened reigns of Elizabeth and James. reigns of Elizabeth and James.

Most stage players were vulnerable Most stage players were vulnerable to arrest on charges of vagrancy if to arrest on charges of vagrancy if they were not under the protection of they were not under the protection of a powerful sponsor. Shakespeare's a powerful sponsor. Shakespeare's company at the Globe was set apart company at the Globe was set apart by virtue of being formally by virtue of being formally patronized by first the Lord patronized by first the Lord Chamberlain of Queen Elizabeth and Chamberlain of Queen Elizabeth and then by King James I himself. then by King James I himself.

A total of 26 names are recorded as A total of 26 names are recorded as the "Principal Actors" of the "Principal Actors" of Shakespeare's company at the Globe Shakespeare's company at the Globe in the First Folio of the Bard's in the First Folio of the Bard's collected plays. Near the top of the collected plays. Near the top of the list we find Richard Burbage, brother list we find Richard Burbage, brother to Cuthbert, major partner in the to Cuthbert, major partner in the Globe, and the foremost tragedian of Globe, and the foremost tragedian of the Elizabethan stage.the Elizabethan stage.

The sole owner of another, The sole owner of another, significantly smaller venue (the significantly smaller venue (the Blackfriars Theatre), Richard Burbage Blackfriars Theatre), Richard Burbage initiated the performance of some of initiated the performance of some of Shakespeare's most famous Shakespeare's most famous characters, including Hamlet, Lear, characters, including Hamlet, Lear, and Othello, and brought even and Othello, and brought even greater vitality to other roles, e.g., greater vitality to other roles, e.g., Richard III. Richard III.

The extent to which Shakespeare The extent to which Shakespeare wrote his great tragic hero roles with wrote his great tragic hero roles with Burbage in mind cannot be Burbage in mind cannot be determined, but the indirect determined, but the indirect evidence strongly suggests that the evidence strongly suggests that the playwright knew in advance that playwright knew in advance that Burbage would be the "star" and had Burbage would be the "star" and had him in mind when he created the him in mind when he created the characters of Hamlet, Lear, Othello characters of Hamlet, Lear, Othello and the like. and the like.

Despite the need for exaggeration in Despite the need for exaggeration in the Globe's outdoor setting, Burbage the Globe's outdoor setting, Burbage was best known for his naturalistic was best known for his naturalistic style of acting, his subtler style of acting, his subtler performances standing in sharp relief performances standing in sharp relief to the wild rantings of his peers. to the wild rantings of his peers.

Prior to the Globe's opening in 1599, Prior to the Globe's opening in 1599, the leading comic actor of the the leading comic actor of the Chamberlain's men (and another Chamberlain's men (and another shareholder in the Globe) was Will shareholder in the Globe) was Will Kemp. His roles included those of the Kemp. His roles included those of the servant Peter in Romeo and Juliet, servant Peter in Romeo and Juliet, (probably) Bottom in A Midsummer (probably) Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and (quite possibly), Night's Dream, and (quite possibly), Falstaff of the Henry IV plays. Falstaff of the Henry IV plays.

In 1599, Kemp prepared to cede his In 1599, Kemp prepared to cede his position as the leading comic actor of position as the leading comic actor of Shakespeare's troop when another popular Shakespeare's troop when another popular comedian, Robert Armin, joined the comedian, Robert Armin, joined the Chamberlain's Men. Armin's capacity for Chamberlain's Men. Armin's capacity for wordplay through malaprops and half-wordplay through malaprops and half-meant puns became legendary, particularly meant puns became legendary, particularly in the clown roles of Touchstone ( As You in the clown roles of Touchstone ( As You Like It) and Feste (Twelfth Night); it is Like It) and Feste (Twelfth Night); it is possible that Armin made his debut at the possible that Armin made his debut at the Globe in the role of Feste, with Viola, the Globe in the role of Feste, with Viola, the heroine of Twelfth Night saying, "This fellow heroine of Twelfth Night saying, "This fellow is wise enough to play the fool" (III, i., l.60). is wise enough to play the fool" (III, i., l.60).

In any event, during the great In any event, during the great tragedies period, Armin was blessed tragedies period, Armin was blessed with one of the best comic roles in with one of the best comic roles in Shakespeare's canon, that of the Shakespeare's canon, that of the Fool in King Lear. Fool in King Lear.

Shakespeare and the end of the Shakespeare and the end of the GlobeGlobe

It is often mentioned in passing that It is often mentioned in passing that Shakespeare himself appeared as an Shakespeare himself appeared as an actor on the Globe's stage. This actor on the Globe's stage. This aspect of the Bard's life in the aspect of the Bard's life in the theater should not be over-theater should not be over-estimated. Shakespeare's name estimated. Shakespeare's name appears in the cast lists of plays appears in the cast lists of plays written by himself and by other written by himself and by other Elizabethan authors, but there is no Elizabethan authors, but there is no indication of the roles that he played. indication of the roles that he played.

Tradition ascribes two parts to Tradition ascribes two parts to Shakespeare himself, that of the Shakespeare himself, that of the Ghost of Hamlet's Father in Hamlet Ghost of Hamlet's Father in Hamlet and that of Adam, the loyal, aged and that of Adam, the loyal, aged servant in As You Like It. servant in As You Like It.

In 1603, Shakespeare apparently In 1603, Shakespeare apparently acted in a play written by his friend acted in a play written by his friend and fellow author, Ben Jonson, but and fellow author, Ben Jonson, but this is last time and last date in this is last time and last date in which Shakespeare is mentioned in which Shakespeare is mentioned in the cast lists of the the cast lists of the Elizabethan/Jacobean theater. Elizabethan/Jacobean theater. Shakespeare acted, but this activity Shakespeare acted, but this activity was subordinate not only to his work was subordinate not only to his work as a playwright but also to his labors as a playwright but also to his labors as a theatrical producer. as a theatrical producer.

The original structure of the Globe The original structure of the Globe Theatre stood until 29 June, 1613, Theatre stood until 29 June, 1613, when its thatched roof was set when its thatched roof was set ablaze by a cannon fired in a ablaze by a cannon fired in a performance of Henry VIII and the performance of Henry VIII and the Globe burned to the ground. Globe burned to the ground.

By this time, Shakespeare was in By this time, Shakespeare was in semi-retirement at Stratford-on-Avon semi-retirement at Stratford-on-Avon where he would die three years later where he would die three years later at the age of fifty-two. The Globe was at the age of fifty-two. The Globe was reconstructed in 1614, with tiles reconstructed in 1614, with tiles replacing flammable straw on its replacing flammable straw on its partial roof. partial roof.

In 1642, however, a quarter-century In 1642, however, a quarter-century after Shakespeare's death, a new, after Shakespeare's death, a new, Puritanical and decidedly anti-theater Puritanical and decidedly anti-theater regime assumed power in England regime assumed power in England and closed down all of the country's and closed down all of the country's theaters. Two years later, Cromwell's theaters. Two years later, Cromwell's round heads tore down the Globe, round heads tore down the Globe, leveled the site and constructed leveled the site and constructed tenement housing upon it. tenement housing upon it.