Writer's Name

History of the Globe Theatre

Date

Time of Class

Word Count: 740 words

Table of Contents

Thesis Statement1

Introduction1

History of the Theatre1

Need of a Playhouse1

Construction of the Theatre2

General Appearance2

Plays Performed.3

Theatre in Ashes3

Rebuilding of the Globe Theatre3

End of the Story3

Conclusion4

Works Cited5

Rough Draft of the Report6

History of the Globe Theatre

Thesis Statement

“The Globe theatre was designed to represent the cosmos and the construction was one of the modern architecture of its time”

Introduction

The Globe Theatre, owned by the members of Shakespeare's company, is also popular as the Shakespeare Globe Theatre. This is the famous playhouse where numerous plays of the great writer were performed. It was the main base for the King's Men until 1608, after which they captured the Blackfriars playhouse. The Globe theatre is one of the most famous theatres of its time.

History of the Theatre

Need of a Playhouse

The decision to construct the globe theatre in 1958 resolved serious issues of the Lord Chamberlain's Men. They needed a playhouse as the lease on the Blackfriars Theatre expired in 1597. This acting troupe had no theatre to perform and the competitors, the admiral's men, were already performing in the Rose playhouse.

Lack of Funds

Lack of funds became an obstacle in the construction of the theatre which was desperately needed to compete. James and Richard Burbage of The Lord Chamberlain's Men had finance but that alone was not sufficient. The Lord Chamberlain's other men contributed their share and completed the construction by 1599.

Construction of the Theatre

The theatre was built from timber, oak and stolen frames. It was a three storey building with a seating capacity of 3000 audience. The stage had trap doors in the floor and ancient rigging roof for stage effects. It was located in Southwark, near Thames. The key person in the construction was Cuthbert Burbage.

Thomas Platter, a Swiss tourist, witnessed a performance in 1599, quotes:

“The places are so built that the play on a raised platform and everyone can well see it all. There are, however, separate galleries and there one stands more comfortably and, moreover, can sit…if he desires to sit on a cushion in the most comfortable place of all where he not only sees everything well but can also be seen, then he gives yet another English penny at another door” (Aaron, 2005, p.48).

General Appearance

It was erected to the engineering standards of 1599. The playhouse was a huge circular structure, which was partially covered with a small straw hatched roof. The inside globe was structured three levels of seating. Since there was no roof above the seats, therefore, plays were performed during the day in sunlight. The stage was constructed such that the spectators were on three sides. There were two doors at the back of the stage for actors' exits and entrances. The stage had trapdoor beneath and a gallery above it (Longstaffe, p.56).

Plays Performed.

The first play performed at the theatre was Julius Caesar in 1599. Other performances by Shakespeare and his troupe include Hamlet, Macbeth, Twelfth Night or What You Will, ...