The Globe Theatre

A Tour by Ms. Ryan

This is a drawing of the Original Globe Theatre

The original Theatre was modeled after the Swan Theatre

Another favorite theatre was the Rose Theatre

Shakespeare’s writing was fit for a for a Queen….. Elizabeth

Elizabeth I was ruler of England when The Globe was built in 1599. Her kingdom prospered and she and her subjects loved the entertainment plays provided.

The Globe was modeled on The Rose and The Swan.

It was a summer theatre as it was open in the center

The Globe was fondly known as The Wooden O

• It was built in 1599

• It was build of wood

• It sat (and stood) nearly 3000 patrons

• It was built on the bank of the Thames River

• It was popular entertainment for rich and poor alike

• It had a thatched roof ( made from straw)

The Theatre was destroyed by fire in 1613

Popular belief is that the Globe’s thatched roof caught fire when a cannon was shot off during a production of Henry V

The new Globe Theatre

The Globe was reconstructed in the 1990s on a spot very near to the original site.

Individuals and Companies donated the funds to reconstruct the theatre.

Every effort was made to reconstruct the theatre in a way faithful to the original

All modern amenities (restaurant, gift shop and restrooms) are in a building under the reconstruction, not intermingled with it.

The two massive Pillars of Hercules hold up the stage roof

Exterior view of the New Globe Theatre

The Globe’s thatched roof is the only one in London. A special law was passed to allow its

construction. Thatched roofs have been illegal for many years because of fire hazard.

This view, from one of the Gentlemen’s boxes, shows that

the stage actually had two levels

The Gentlemen’s boxes above provided a good view and some protection from the sun and rain

All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players:

- As You Like It

The stage roof, The Heavens, from the side of the Pit

View of the front of the stage

The stage at Christmas

The upper boxes from the Pit

Ms. Ryan at the Globe, Christmas 2006

The Globe exterior, Christmas, 2006

Not the Globe players