The Elizabethan theatre gave birth to the Globe theatre eventually. However, long before structured stages came into being, plays and acts and performances, in general, were given by minstrels and bards and their stages were generally the court, streets and even courtyards of inns and halls. They used to travel all over the country to perform for people.
In 1576, the theatre as we know it was founded by James Burbage accompanied by his brother-in-law. They did so in the hope of making steady profit from those who would attend the plays. The first theatre bore strong resemblance to the amphitheatre which was typical of the Greek architecture.
During the Elizabethan era, comedies, tragedies and drama was further enriched by the remarkable pen of William Shakespeare. William Shakespeare, one of the greatest playwright of England and also the world lived during the Elizabethan era and wrote memorable compositions including,
Globe Theater Facts
Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, Midsummer Night’s Dream, Othello and many many more that have never failed to arouse artistic passion in many a reader, actor and enthusiast.
These same plays were staged in the theatres across London and England and eventually the Elizabethan Globe Theatre was established in 1599. Shakespeare himself had a share in the construction of the now famous Globe Theatre.
What did the Globe Theatre Look Like
Owing to the displeasure of the owner of the land, Giles Allen, who detested and looked down upon the form of art being practiced as well as the actors refused to renew the contract of lease thereby causing the troupe of actors to relocate.
The group broke down the theatre and carted the building materials to Bankside, Southwark and rebuilt the Theatre from scratch. The Theatre was also given a new name, The Globe Theatre.
The Globe drew enormous business as well as the populace of London. The place would be teeming with humanity and soon, it became place de rigueur. London’s finest as well as the commoners used to throng the theatre as soon as a production was set up on the stage.
In those times, class was everything. The royalty and aristocrats spanned the topmost strata of society. Merchants, scholars, shopkeepers and the rest followed. The Globe, in some ways was no different.
Globe Theatre Stage
The commoners would be made to stand below in what was called the pit. Whereas the privileged classes would have plush upholstered seats in the balconies overlooking the stage and of course, provide the best view of the stage.
The higher one wanted to sit, the more one would have to pay. It was the era where Shakespeare graces the stage and fantastic props and effects would be used to woo the audiences. Unfortunately, depravity burgeoned alongside the theatre and theatres were soon banned from London. The deathblow was struck by the coming of Queen Mary I and Puritanism.
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