English - The globe: Shakespeare's Theatre (B1-B2)

Summary

The Globe Theatre in London, a reconstruction of the original built in 1598, is a historical landmark. It was initially one of four major theaters and hosted Shakespeare's works until its destruction in 1613. Rebuilt in 1614, it was razed by Puritans in 1644. The current Globe, opened in 1997, is a faithful replica. It features an open-air stage, a thatched roof, and can accommodate 1600 patrons. The design is based on historical records, with a focus on acoustics and visibility, reflecting the importance of the script and audience experience.

Takeaways

• 📝 The Globe Theatre in London is the third iteration of the original, which was built around 1598 and opened in 1599.
• 📅 The first Globe Theatre was located approximately 200 yards away from the current site, near where the River Thames was wider at the time.
• 💻 Theatres, including the Globe, were typically found on the South Bank of the Thames during Elizabethan times, a popular area for entertainment.
• 💵 The Globe was one of four significant theaters, alongside the Hope, the Swan, and the Rose.
• 💲 The first Globe Theatre was destroyed in 1613 due to a cannon fire accident during a performance of Henry VIII.
• 💳 A second Globe was built in 1614 on the same site and stood until 1642 when it was closed and demolished by the Puritans.
• 📱 The current Globe is a faithful reproduction of the original, constructed starting in 1993 and opened in 1997, thanks to American Sam Wanamaker.
• 💹 Performances at the Globe began in the afternoon and ended before dark, as the theater was open-air with natural sunlight for lighting.
• 💷 The theater's design, including the thatched roof and materials like Lincolnshire oak, is based on historical evidence and the only known sketch of an Elizabethan theater interior.
• 💶 The Globe's audience area was divided into the standing 'yard' for 'Groundlings' and seated 'galleries', with the cheapest tickets in the yard.
• 💴 All actors were men and boys playing both male and female roles, with elaborate and specially made costumes.
• 💰 The stage design included a 'heavens' area for special effects and a balcony used for music, as well as scenes like the famous balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet.

Q & A

When was the first Globe Theatre in London built?

The first Globe Theatre was built around 1598 and opened for its first production in 1599.

How many important theaters were in the area during the time of the original Globe Theatre?

There were four important theaters in the area, including the Globe, the Hope, the Swan, and the Rose.

What happened to the original Globe Theatre?

The original Globe Theatre burnt down in 1613 during a performance of Henry VIII when a cannon fired for special effects set the thatched roof on fire.

When was the second Globe Theatre constructed?

The second Globe Theatre was built on the same site just one year later in 1614.

Why were all theaters closed in 1642?

The Puritans closed down all theaters in 1642 as well as all other forms of entertainment.

Who was the driving force behind the construction of the third Globe Theatre?

The construction of the third Globe Theatre was made possible by the determination and vision of an American, Sam Wanamaker.

In what year was the third Globe Theatre officially opened?

The third Globe Theatre was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth the Second in 1997.

How does the lighting work in the third Globe Theatre?

Lighting for performances is provided by sunlight, as the center of the circular-shaped theater is open to the sky.

What materials were used in the construction of the third Globe Theatre?

The walls are built of Lincolnshire oak timbers and plaster made of sand, lime, and goat hair, and the roof is in Norfolk reed thatch.

How many sides does the third Globe Theatre have?

The third Globe Theatre is a circular 20-sided shape.

What was the cheapest place to watch a play at the Globe Theatre?

The cheapest place to watch a play was in the pit or the yard, where the audience stood.

What was the term for the audience members who stood in the yard?

The audience members who stood in the yard were called 'Groundlings'.

Outlines

00:00

🎭 History and Features of the Globe Theatre

The Globe Theatre in London is the third iteration of the original, which opened in 1599. It was one of four main theaters in the area during Elizabethan times, built on the south bank of the River Thames for entertainment. The first Globe was not at the same location as the current one due to the wider Thames at the time. The foundations were rediscovered in 1989. The second Globe was built in 1614 after the first burned down in 1613. It was closed by the Puritans in 1642 and completely demolished in 1644. The current Globe, a faithful reproduction, was initiated by American Sam Wanamaker and opened in 1997. It features an open-air design with a thatched roof and is constructed with traditional materials like oak and plaster. Performances were held in the afternoon and ceased during Lent or plague outbreaks. The theater's interior layout is based on a sketch by Dutch traveler Johannes de Witt, featuring a circular design with a standing area called 'the yard' for the cheapest tickets and galleries for more expensive seating. The stage was partially in the yard, and the roof, called 'the heavens,' was used for special effects and had a hollow area.

05:02

🎩 Performance Aspects of the Globe Theatre

During Shakespeare's time, performances at the Globe were auditory experiences, with the audience standing in the 'pit' or 'yard' and sitting in galleries. Actors were all male, playing both male and female roles, and wore elaborate, specially-made costumes. The stage jutted into the yard, allowing for close interaction with the audience. The stage had a roof supported by two pillars, painted to resemble marble, and a 'heavens' area for divine interventions. Behind the stage was the 'tiring house' where actors changed costumes. The stage also featured a trapdoor for special effects. A balcony above the stage was used for music, which was integral to the plays, and could also serve as a setting for scenes, such as in 'Romeo and Juliet.' The Globe is not only a part of English history but also a significant cultural attraction in modern London.

Keywords

💡Globe Theatre

The Globe Theatre is a historical venue for dramatic performances located in London. It is central to the video's theme as it discusses the original Globe Theatre built in 1598 and its subsequent reconstructions. The video mentions the first Globe, which opened in 1599, and the current Globe, which is a faithful reproduction opened in 1997.

💡Theatre-going

The term 'theatre-going' refers to the act of attending theatrical performances. It is integral to the video's narrative as it describes how theatre was a popular pastime during Elizabethan times, with people from all social classes traveling to the South Bank for entertainment.

💡Shakespeare

William Shakespeare is a renowned English playwright and poet whose works were performed at the Globe Theatre. The video underscores his significance by mentioning that the Globe hosted some of his greatest works, emphasizing the cultural impact of his plays.

💡Puritans

Puritans were Protestant Christians who sought to purify the Church of England from residual Roman Catholic influences. In the context of the video, they are mentioned as the group responsible for closing down theatres, including the second Globe, in 1642 due to their opposition to entertainment.

💡Sam Wanamaker

Sam Wanamaker was an American actor and director instrumental in the reconstruction of the Globe Theatre. His determination and vision led to the construction of the third Globe, which began in 1993, as highlighted in the video.

💡Theatre architecture

The architecture of the Globe Theatre, with its circular shape and open-air design, is a key aspect of the video. It discusses the materials used, such as Norfolk reed thatch and Lincolnshire oak, and the layout, including the pit and galleries, which reflect the original design.

💡Groundlings

Groundlings refers to the audience members who stood in the open-air pit of the theatre. The video explains that this area was the cheapest place to watch a play, costing a penny, and was the most exposed to the elements.

💡Theatrical performances

Theatrical performances are the plays and shows that were presented at the Globe Theatre. The video describes how performances would begin in the afternoon, using sunlight for lighting, and would not take place during Lent or plague outbreaks.

💡Special effects

Special effects in the context of the Globe Theatre refer to the theatrical techniques used to create illusions or spectacles. The video mentions the use of a cannon to create special effects, which tragically led to the burning down of the first Globe in 1613.

💡Herculean pillars

Herculean pillars are the large, single tree trunks that supported the roof of the stage at the Globe Theatre. They were painted to resemble marble, adding to the aesthetic of the theatre and providing a backdrop for the performances, as described in the video.

💡Tiring house

The tiring house was the area behind the stage where actors would change their costumes. The video mentions that it is accessed through doors in the stage wall and is equivalent to the modern-day dressing rooms.

Highlights

The Globe Theatre in London is the third iteration of the original, built around 1598.

The first Globe Theatre opened in 1599 and was one of four important theaters in the area.

The original Globe was not built on the same spot as the modern-day Globe; it was closer to the River Thames.

The foundations of the original Globe were rediscovered in 1989.

Theaters in Elizabethan times were generally built on the south bank of the River Thames for entertainment.

Theaters would advertise performances by raising a flag, visible from the north bank of the Thames.

The first Globe hosted some of Shakespeare's greatest works and was open from 1599 to 1613.

The first Globe burnt down in 1613 due to a cannon fired for special effects during a performance.

The second Globe was built in 1614 on the same site and survived until 1642 when Puritans closed all theaters.

The Puritans completely demolished the second Globe in 1644 and built tenements on the site.

The third Globe is a faithful reproduction of the original, built based on limited available information.

The construction of the third Globe began in 1993, thanks to American Sam Wanamaker.

The third Globe was officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1997.

The third Globe's roof is in Norfolk reed thatch, the first such roof in London since the Great Fire of 1666.

The interior layout of the Globe is determined by the only known picture of an Elizabethan theatre's interior.

The Globe is a circular 20-sided shape with an open-air pit or yard for standing audience members.

The galleries around the yard held two to three thousand people who paid more to sit.

In Shakespeare's time, plays were 'heard' rather than 'seen', emphasizing the importance of the script.

The new Globe can seat 900 people in the galleries and accommodate 700 standing in the pit.

All actors were men and boys playing both male and female roles, with elaborate and specially made costumes.

The stage projects into the pit, allowing the audience to stand on three sides.

The stage has a balcony used for music and special effects, such as in Romeo and Juliet.

The Globe Theatre is a significant part of English history and a point of interest in contemporary London.

Transcripts

let's visit the Globe Theatre in London

The Globe Theatre which you can see here

and visit today is in fact the third

Globe Theatre the first Globe Theatre

was built in about fifteen ninety-eight

and it opened for its first production

in 1599 it was one of four important

theaters in this area the other three

were the Hope the Swan and the Rose the

original globe was not built precisely

on the same spot as the modern-day globe

at that time the River Thames was wider

and the yard would have been in the

river the original site is close by just

200 yards away the foundations of the

globe were rediscovered in 1989 and the

site is marked by a plaque hopefully one

day they will be properly excavated to

reveal more of their secrets theaters

were generally built on the south bank

rather than on the north bank of the

River Thames in the times of Elizabeth

the First Bank side as the area was

known was the place Londoners would come

for entertainment the bear gardens where

bear or bull baiting took place were

very popular even with the Queen herself

theater-going was a favorite pastime of

all classes and walks of life the public

would travel over the river to the

theaters on little ferry boats if they

could afford it or by walking over the

London Bridge the only bridge across the

river at that time theaters would

advertise the fact that they were going

to put on a performance by raising a

flag over the theatre which could be

seen from the north bank so the first

row was open for performances in 1599

and it would host some of Shakespeare's

greatest works over the next 10 years

it saw the death of Queen Elizabeth and

the accession to the throne of James the

first the first robe burnt down in 1613

in a dramatic accident a cannon which

was fired to create special effects

during a performance of Henry the

eighth's Shakespeare's last play set

fire to the roof of thatch and the whole

theater burnt down the second globe was

built on the same site just one year

later in 1614 it survived until 1642

when the Puritans closed down all

theatres as well as all other forms of

entertainment

the Puritans knocked down the theater

completely in 1644 and built tenements

on the site this third globe is a

faithful reproduction of the original as

faithful as possible given the

relatively small amount of information

available it was thanks to the

determination and the vision of an

American Sam Wanamaker that construction

began in 1993 it was officially opened

by Queen Elizabeth the second in 1997 as

you can see the center of the circular

shaped theater is open to the sky

lighting for the performances was in

fact provided by the sunlight so a

performance would begin in the middle of

the afternoon and finished before dark

so that the audience could get home

safely there were no performances during

Lent or during outbreaks of the plague

the roof of this reproduction is in

Norfolk read thatch like the original

and it is the first that's roof in

London since the Great Fire of 1666 the

walls are built of Lincolnshire oak

timbers and plaster made of sand lime

and goat hair

the layout of the interior has been

determined by using the only picture of

the interior of an Elizabethan theatre

which has come down to us the sketch was

made by a Dutch traveler Johannes Davitt

and copied by his friend

Harvin van buco and it is of the Swan

theatre the globe is a circular 20 sided

shape the open air is called the pit or

the yard and it is for members of the

audience who are standing The

Groundlings the yard was the cheapest

place to watch a play and it cost a

penny about a thousand people would be

Groundlings around the yard are the

galleries which are more protected from

the elements the galleries held two to

three thousand people who paid two or

more pennies to sit the most expensive

areas in the galleries were those

closest to the stage from which the

performance could be best heard play

goers in shakespeare's times would say

I'm going to hear a play and not I'm

going to see a play showing how

important the script was from here that

could also be best seen by the rest of

the audience showing off their finery

the new globe sits 900 people in the

galleries and houses 700 in the Pitt

actors were all men and boys and they

played both male and female roles

costumes were elaborate and specially

made the stage projects halfway into the

pit so the audience would stand on three

sides of it some would even sit on the

edge of the stage itself the roof of the

stage is supported by two Herculean

pillars made of single tree trunks and

painted to represent marble in the style

of Greek or Roman buildings the roof of

the stage is called the heavens and it

is from here that gods would descend to

the stage lowered through a trapdoor on

ropes the roof air is hollow for special

effects the heavens are painted with

images of the

the moon and the signs of the zodiac

behind the pillars is the fronds Shinae

or stage wall this wall contains the

doors through which the actors would

make their entrances the doors lead to

the tiring house the place where actors

would change their attire in modern day

turns the dressing rooms the stage

itself is made of wood and has a

trapdoor to allow for special effects

such as the grave of the gravediggers in

Hamlet the stages raised five feet off

the ground above the stage there is a

balcony which was mainly used for the

musicians music and songs were an

important element in plays at the time

but could also serve as the balcony and

Romeo and Juliet for example

The Globe Theatre are part of English

history and a fascinating point of

interest in contemporary London