Where: London, England
When: May 26, 2012
With: Dave, Andrea, and Mike
Andrea came to town and wanted to do something a little off the beaten track. So she decided to do a tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theater. Though I've been there before, it's been 9 years, so I was happy to spend the day visiting it again (and spending some time with her!)
Despite looking incredibly authentic, it's sadly not the original Globe. That burned down during Shakespeare's time when a cannon fired during a production of Henry VIII lit the thatch roof on fire (I believe that would justify firing the stage manager). However, in the 1970s, a man named Sam Wanamaker decided to commit himself to recreating the theater, and spent the rest of his life to a faithful reconstruction. Nearly 30 years later (and sadly after Wanamaker's death), the newly finished Globe theater was opened to the public.
Everything, right down to way the wood is put together (no nails) is done using traditional Elizabethan techniques. While they don't have any of the floor plans from the original building, they've pieced together their best estimate from other theaters of the time and drawings from spectators that have lasted to this day.
Now, they have Shakespearean productions here all summer long. Back when I was here last time, I got to see two: an all-male production of Richard II and an all-female production of Richard III. I had a seat for the Richard II, and thought it would be way more enjoyable than standing in the middle section in front of the stage for Richard III as a groundling (16th century version of general admission). However, I actually enjoyed the latter more, mainly due to the lead female's ridiculously good performance as the title character.
After leaving the theater, we had a lovely lunch on the river and continued on to Regent's Park (click here for some pictures).
When: May 26, 2012
With: Dave, Andrea, and Mike
Andrea came to town and wanted to do something a little off the beaten track. So she decided to do a tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theater. Though I've been there before, it's been 9 years, so I was happy to spend the day visiting it again (and spending some time with her!)
Despite looking incredibly authentic, it's sadly not the original Globe. That burned down during Shakespeare's time when a cannon fired during a production of Henry VIII lit the thatch roof on fire (I believe that would justify firing the stage manager). However, in the 1970s, a man named Sam Wanamaker decided to commit himself to recreating the theater, and spent the rest of his life to a faithful reconstruction. Nearly 30 years later (and sadly after Wanamaker's death), the newly finished Globe theater was opened to the public.
Everything, right down to way the wood is put together (no nails) is done using traditional Elizabethan techniques. While they don't have any of the floor plans from the original building, they've pieced together their best estimate from other theaters of the time and drawings from spectators that have lasted to this day.
Now, they have Shakespearean productions here all summer long. Back when I was here last time, I got to see two: an all-male production of Richard II and an all-female production of Richard III. I had a seat for the Richard II, and thought it would be way more enjoyable than standing in the middle section in front of the stage for Richard III as a groundling (16th century version of general admission). However, I actually enjoyed the latter more, mainly due to the lead female's ridiculously good performance as the title character.
This time around, we took a tour of the theater with a very eloquent and well-projecting tour guide. We also got to explore the exhibit under the theater to learn about the history of Elizabethan life in London at that time.
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