Known by many as Shakespeare’s theatre, the Globe theatre is the epitome of the statement, “Third times the charm.” As it has burned to the ground, was destroyed by puritans and now stands today in its third, non-flammable form, “The New Globe Theatre.” All three of the Globe theatres have been built in similar fashion with a thrust stage surrounded by a two story; circular shaped building that housed magnificent audiences. Attracted by the special effects and the various plays produced by The Kings Men, the audiences only slowed when outbreaks of the Bubonic Plague occurred. Approximately 400 years ago William Shakespeare’s theatre troop built one of the most famous Elizabethan theatres, “The Globe Theatre.”
At the beginning of the Elizabethan era, prior to 1576, plays took place in inn-yards, the houses of Noblemen, or in extreme circumstances on open ground. Then in 1576, the first playhouse was opened by James Burbage the holder of a lease that allowed him to open “The Theatre.” In the years following the opening of “The Theatre” many open air playhouses sprung up from the ground in and around London. Finally in 1599, the most famous Elizabethan playhouse, “The Globe,” was built by the theatre company in which William Shakespeare had stake. The initial globe theatre, home to Shakespeare’s theatre troupe was only in commission for approximately 14 years, before it was burned to the ground. Not for heresy, but because a special effects canon stuffed with gunpowder and wadding set the thatch roof on fire. The King's Men, formally known as Lord Chamberlain’s Men quickly rebuilt the Globe, but included tile roofing in order to protect the integrity of the Globe. The second Globe Theatre was built in 1614 and was rebuil...
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...the Elizabethan era. This happened in 1593, 1603 and 1608 when all theaters were closed due to the Bubonic Plague. William Shakespeare no doubt used these periods of closure to write more plays and go home to Stratford.
The Globe theatre, although in its third trial run has remained one of the most famous theatres in London. Despite multiple setbacks caused by fire and the Bubonic Plague Shakespeare, possibly the most famous playwright and actor, put the globe on the map with his remarkable plays. Reduced to a tourist attraction, the Globe attracts people from all over the world in order to experience a piece of historical drama that cannot be matched by any other landmark of historical theatre. Approximately 400 years ago William Shakespeare’s theatre troop built one of the most famous Elizabethan theatres, unknowingly cementing their contribution in history.
The Restoration in England was an era ripe for the development of new ideas in the arts. The return of the Stuart monarchy under Charles II marked the end of eighteen years of almost dictatorial control by Oliver Cromwell and his Puritan parliament. Cromwell had campaigned actively to halt all theatrical activity. In the end, however, his laws were actually responsible for helping move England forward in theatrical history. Actors, under Cromwell's laws, were to be apprehended a rogues if they were caught "in the act" so to speak of performing their trade. Some left their careers and sought employment elsewhere. Most, however, remained undaunted by parliament's threats. Productions continued quietly in tennis courts, inns and private houses. Officials were bribed to keep silent their knowledge of violations. The theater in England had moved indoors as it had already done in France and Italy. Although the reasons for the move were different, the end result was the same. Up until this time plays had always been performed outdoors in the early afternoon. Performances traditionally relied on sunlight, natural scenery, and minimal set pieces that could be easily transported from one location to another. Indoor productions required something much more elaborate. The preliminary concepts of scenic design and lighting design began to form in England in the late 1650's. During the Restoration, as controls were lifted, technical theater began to flourish. Many early examples of modern stage techniques were born between 1660 and 1800, making the Restoration a significant era in the history of scenic design and lighting for the theater. The art of scenic design did not begin in England. As early as 1570 the Italians were giving elaborate opera performances in the ducal courts using perspective scenes and various types of stage machinery. The French mimicked the design ideas of the Italian's and gave them a name, la scene a l'italienne. (Southern 221) Although Cromwell had banned public theater, opera was still considered a lawful art form. In England, just prior to the Restoration, John Webb designed the scenery for William D'avenant's 'opera' production of The Siege of Rhodes.
Overall, the Globe Theatre has a lot of history behind it, some that historians are still working on, and has had many demolishings and reconstructions in its time.
Hodges, C. Walters. The Globe Restored: A Study of the Elizabethan Theatre. London: Oxford University Press, 1968. Print.
"Elizabethan Theatre Audiences." Elizabethan Theatre Audiences. Strayer University, 16 May 2012. Web. 24 Mar. 2014.
An English actor, Richard Burbage, constructed the Globe Theater in 1599. Unfortunately, it was burned down fourteen years later. In 1613 a cannon, discharged during a performance of Henry VIII, set fire to the thatched roof and destroyed the building (Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2000). The theater was rebuilt in 1614 but the Puritans destroyed it 30 years later, in 1644.
Queen Elizabeth came to be known as one of the greatest rulers of the English empire. Under the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, a more efficient government was created. The church was unified, the English empire was expanded, and language, literature, and theater flourished to a greatness that would be impossible for almost any other period of English history, or any other European empire, for that matter, to match. Although there was a great rise in literature,it was theater that catapulted to greatness during Elizabeth's reign. Out of Elizabeth's era came Elizabethan theater. Elizabethan theater has such a variety of topics, that would make it virtually impossible to talk about in ten pages. The focal point of this paper will be on Queen Elizabeth's contributions to theater as well as her favor to Children of Paul's, or Paul's Boys (a "Boy Company") and the Queen's Men and Lord Chamberlain's Men (two Adult Companies). Prior to Elizabeth's reign, those members of the Tutor family enjoyed entertainment consisting mainly of court tournaments. Within these court tournaments bear baiting was the most popular event. Although "Elizabeth found this hugely diverting", theater was her entertainment of choice, for Elizabeth found "such cruel spectacles...an unattractive feature of the age" (Somerset 367). However, regardless of her opinion, countrymen saw nothing wrong with bear baiting, and continued the event. Even though Elizabeth was a great lover of theater, that does not mean that theater, was not put down routinely. The Puritans found Elizabeth's interest in theater to be "utterly reprehensible", actors to be a "contemptible breed", and the theaters that they performed in nothing more "...
The Globe Theater was built around 1598 in London’s Bankside district. It was one of four major
For the Elizabethan society, the theater represents a very powerful place. The theater was used as a tool for advertising and drawing the public attention to whatever is being performed. While we may consider Hamlets
The Globe Theater is widely known as the world’s greatest amphitheatre of its time, bringing in crowds of thousands of people. The Globe was also where most of the famous playwright, William Shakespeare, performed his plays. With its unique design, the audience was able to enjoy the plays. Inside of this round and globe-like structure, the people from all around the area packed into the seats to watch Shakespeare and his actors. Despite the Globe Theater’s success, the theater had gone through many shut downs and rebuilding projects. Finally, the Globe was demolished for the last time. It was not until years later that the theater was discovered. Now, people from around the world are learning about this amphitheater and its role in the Renaissance time period. The Globe Theater is known for its structure, audience and actors, and history.
Russell Brown, J. 1995. The Oxford Illustrated History of the Theatre. 3rd ed. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
first famous theater on record is none other than the Globe Theater. This wasn't your everyday
Actors were expected to memorize hundreds of lines at a time. While one play could be performing, actors would be practicing lines for their next show. Play writers also began to make roles for the actors in the theatrical pieces. The theaters that actors performed in were roofless so that the sun could be used as lighting. Theatrical shows were held in the afternoon because it provided the best amount of light for the show. When the people gathered into the theater, the different classes of people were separated by where they could afford to sit and watch the show. The lower classmen were situated on the bare earth where it was dirty and smelly because it was never cleaned. The owners’ of the theaters found it less expensive if they did not keep high maintenance of their establishments. Higher classmen sat under a roof and for a penny more, they could buy cushions for their seats.
The theater was one of the primary forms of entertainment in Elizabethan England, as anyone, rich or poor could attend the plays.The rich would sit in boxes or galleries, while the poorer people would have to stand for the entirety of the play (Haigh). The poor would stand in front of the stage which would normally be raised about 4 to 6 feet and the theater could hold on average 3,000 people (Trumbull). The rich however usually watched plays in indoor private theaters, but sometimes would watch the plays in the outdoor public ones. Performances ...
The name most associated with excellence in theatre is William Shakespeare. His plays, more than any other playwright, resonate through the ages. It may be safe to say that he has influenced more actors, directors, and playwrights than any thespian in the history of the stage. But what were his influences? During the Middle Ages theatre was dominated by morality, miracle, and mystery plays that were often staged by the church as a means to teach the illiterate masses about Christianity. It wasn’t until the early sixteenth century that Greek tragedy experienced a revival, in turn, inspiring a generation of renaissance playwrights.
Arguably the greatest playwright of his time, perhaps in all of history, William Shakespeare's literary works have had a tremendous impact (see Appendix 2). Reaching into the pop culture of the modern world through movies and quotes used in everyday conversation, Shakespeare's influence is astounding (see Appendix 1). One rarely stops to think, however, about events that had an impact on Shakespeare's life, particularly his writing. The outbreak of the plague, social disparity, political unrest, just a few of the historical happenings that impacted Shakespeare's plays, including Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Othello, and Henry IV