‘‘To take full advantage of reading Shakespeare, we must cultivate both the mind’s ear and the mind’s eye; we must learn to hear the verse spoken aloud as we read it, and also to see the drama enacted in an imaginary theatre’’ (Levin, 15). Shakespeare’s masterpieces are meant to be seen, and no better venue could be had for viewing his theatrical productions than at the Globe Theater.At the time the Globe was built, it was considered to be the “most magnificent theater that London had ever seen” (Online).
While viewing A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Globe, I was particularly impressed by the architecture and structural design of this magnificent theater. The orchestra performed in a raised balcony, the classic wall paintings and decorations were very appropriately selected for the feelings evoked by Shakespeare’s plays. Even the seating options made this theater a very unified place, as both poor and rich spectators were able to attend performances because of the inexpensive groundling ticket option.
When the original Globe Theater was being constructed in 1599 by the carpenter Peter Smith, (Online), the Globe’s structural emphasis was on horizontal lines, in order to bring the “actors and the spectators together in a vital interrelationship” (Levin, 15). In 1613 the original Globe Theater met a tragic end when it was burnt to the ground by a cannonade and fireworks gone awry during a performance of Henry VIII (Gener, 12). The Globe was, however, rebuilt as an open-air theater, which generally provoked more flamboyant acting (Levin, 15), and also allowed the reality of the play to come to life for the audience with the use of the actual moon, sun and other natural conditions.
The pillars on top of the stage not only serve as a support for the stage cover, but they would also be used as props in theatrical productions (Levin, 15). During the Globe’s reconstruction phase, errors occurred when the designers constructed it in a more Tudor cottage-style, whereas it really was originally more Baroque with arches, pilasters, etc. (Levin, 16).
Shakespeare was well-aware of the unique and beautiful venue he had at his disposal, and it has been said that he created his plays with the Globe in mind” (Online). The closed structure with an open-courtyard, where the stage stands, has standing room on the ground-level, and covered seating on the edges, allowing room for approximately 2000 attendees (Online).
The space under and behind the stage was used for producing special effects, creating storage and allowing space for costume changes (Online). The Globe was re-built a year after it was burned down, but it was torn down in 1644, just 30 years after it was rebuilt and a brewery now stands where the 17th century Globe once stood (Online).
The present-day Globe Theater was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II on 12 June 1997 (Online). It's construction came about as a result of an American actor named Sam Wanamaker who visited London in the 1940's and was disappointed to find there was no marker for the site in which the 17th century Globe Theater stood. Construction of the new theater did not begin until the 1980’s and traditional 17th century building techniques and materials were used, and safety precautions were taken such as fire-proofing the thatched roof (Online).
Works Cited
Gener, Randy. “As the Globe Turns.” American Theatre. 24:4, April 2007.
Levin, Harry. "General Introduction."The Riverside Shakespeare. 2nd ed.. 1997.
Online Shakespeare. "The Globe Theatre of 1599." Online Shakespeare. 2003. Shakespeare Online. 16 Jun 2008
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