Visiting the Theatre in Tudor England
A Taste of Shakespeare's Britiain – A Visit to The GlobeTheatre
It is 1601 and the location is London, a vibrant and growing city of half timbered houses, cobbled streets, full of noise and color. It is even-tide and the location is Southwark, on the South Bank of the River Thames. Unfortunately, when the wind is in the wrong direction, it is also obvious that The Thames is used as an open sewer. To counteract this, people carry around pomanders (bags of fragrant herbs and spices) which keep both smells and diseases at bay.
The New Globe Theatre Opens at Southwark
People are making their way into The Globe Theater, a magnificent structure made from oak timbers which have been taken from a building which used to be simply known as The Theatre. The Theatre was located in Shoreditch, in the heart of the city of London but has had to be demolished since the lease for the land has been withdrawn by its Puritan owner Giles Allen.
Puritan England and The Pleasures of the Flesh
The Theatre, built by James Burbage in 1576, has had to be relocated due to mounting political and religious pressures. The Puritans, who are on the ascendant at this time, are fundamentalist Christians who do not believe that is is right to engage in trivial entertainments such as attending plays, since this will draw people away from worshiping God, and lead them into the temptations of the Devil. Hence the government has ordered the closure of all such facilities in the heart of London.
Moving to Southwark Outwits the Puritans
However at this time, the area known as Southwark, on the southern bank of the River Thames, is beyond the jurisdiction of the Puritans. It is an area of lawlessness, bawdyness - some feel that it is the best place to go to raise one's spirits in times of political and religious oppression. This newly reconstructed theater is named The Globe.
Seating Arrangements At Shakespeare's Globe
As a Gentleman or Lady of some wealth, seating will be in the gallery so that one is looking down on the open air central atrium, towards the stage. Those who are richer and more influential will also be sitting in the gallery, but closer to the stage, whilst those who are poorer will stand throughout the whole of the play in the area in front of the stage. It is hoped that the weather will be fair, since those who are standing don't have any shelter from the elements, whilst those in the gallery are sheltered to a degree.
Shakespeare's Chamberlain's Men to Act in Richard II
There is great excitement tonight as a talented actor and playwright, William Shakespeare is staging his own work, Richard II. The play will be acted by his own troupe of trajedians, The Chamberlain's men. He occasionally acts in his own plays or those of Dr. Jonson and the audience are speculating whether he will appear in person tonight.
Effects of the Black Death on The Globe Theater
The play is a huge success and there is a standing ovation for the playwright and his fellow actors. However there is a surprise at the end when Mr Shakespeare asks for silence. He announces that all of the theatres are to close for the forseeable future as news has just arrived of an outbreak of the Black Death. Little do they know that 33,000 Londoners will perish in the forthcoming epidemic.
Visiting London's Rebuilt Globe Theater
For those who would like to experience Shakespeare's plays as they would have done in Tudor times, there are regular performances during the summer months. The Globe, rebuilt in 1976 was the brainchild of actor Sam Wanamaker.
Source:
Shakespeare's Globe was Thatched
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Globe Theatre, Open to the Sky
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