The Globe Theater

I. Opened in 1599 II. Located on south

bank of Thames River III. Also called the

“Wooden O” --octagonal shape similar to an O

IV. Accommodated about 3,000 people

The Globe

The Globe V. Groundlings

stood on 3 sides of stage and paid a penny admission.

VI. Globe open to the sky---actors and patrons were protected from weather, but groundlings were not

The Globe

VII. Minimal scenery, natural lighting, words gave time of day and often place of scene

The Globe

VIII. Audiences liked action, duels, murders, clowns, ghosts, witches, noise, puns, wit, asides, music, shouting

The Globe IX. Length A. Lasted about 2-21/2 hours B. Usually began at noon or 2

P.M.

X. Scenes were over when there was a change of tapestry or actors

The Globe

XI. No female actresses---Apprentice actors (males) played female parts

XII. Announcements of plays A. Playbills were posted in the

city B. Flag was raised atop theater---

different color flag for different type of play.

The Globe

XIII. Techniques A. Pun -- humorous play on words

indicating different meaningsB. Metaphor -- comparison of two

things not using like or asC. Conceit -- whimsical, extravagant,

fanciful ideas

The GlobeTechniques D. Soliloquy -- device whereby the

actor on stage makes his feelings and thoughts known by talking aloud to himself and to the audience

E. Aside -- device whereby actors say something to the audience without the other people on stage being able to hear him

The Globe

XIV. Props A. Buy pigs’ bladders, fill with

blood (worn under tunic or costume). Puncture bladder, blood spills out--audience loved this. Remember, Shakespeare starts every play with a fight

B. Minimal furniture props

The Globe

XV. Miscellaneous A. Scenery usually

wasn’t relied on. Relied on props and language.

B. Music - Elizabethans loved music; the “ball” was music portion of Romeo and Juliet

The Globe C. Costumes Used costumes of

Elizabethan era--leotards, tunics, authentic to actor’s times.

The Globe

D. Groundlings Paid 1 cent to

get in; no seats for them; took own lunches; would often throw things (banana peels) at the actors.

The Globe

E. Women Theater was not the place to be

seen Thought of as a place of sin Most did not go with the exception of

really rich and “ladies of the evening” (who often practiced their profession in the Pit where the groundlings were)

The Globe

F. Flags told that a play was being presented and about to start. Different colors denoted different types of plays--new play, tragedy, history, comedy

The Globe G. Everyone went in front door to the pit--1 cent

Pay more to sit under a covering

Really rich sat in boxes by musicians

Pay 6 cents to sit in Lord’s Room

The Globe

H. Tiring House– Area behind stage (green room)– “Retire” -- rest, catch breath

when not acting; actors spoke lines very fast

– “Attire” -- place where actors changed costumes

The Globe

I. Pit (also known as the Yard)– Place where “groundlings” stood– 1000 people could stand– Became so smelly and hot that

groundlings were also nicknamed– “stinkards”– Shakespeare works hard to appeal

to groundlings

The Globe J. Hell

– Under the platform– Also used for storage

K. Turret– Named because of shape--top

of castle; round room– Storage for props and sometimes

cannons for war plays

The Globe