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THE GLOBE THEATRE

Great changes took place in social life of England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I /1558-1603/. England turned from a secondary European power, which unofficially participated in piracy on high-seas, into a first-rate naval power after defeating the Great Spanish Armada in 1588.

The victory brought England power, wealth and rise in culture. It was the time of the English Renaissance, and sometimes it is called "the age of Shakespeare". First playhouses in England appeared at that time. Until then troupes of professional players toured the country and staged their plays for the wealthy nobles.

Shakespeare already then a famous actor and playwright with other professional actors and managers decided to build their own playhouse. "Theatre" was the name of the first playhouse built by Burbage, a carpenter and an actor in 1576 and pulled down in 1583 because the landowner did not wish to renew the contract.

The actors including Shakespeare helped the architect to design the new playhouse which was called the "Globe". It was built in Maiden Lane near the Thames which has become the theatrical district of London since that time. The name of the playhouse "Globe" was not accidental. It was a many-cornered building, circular in form inside and without a roof as performances could only be held in day light. It had three balconies around the walls with a small thatched roof over the gallery with the stage protruding some 30 feet /10 meters/. In front of the entrance was a signboard with Hercules bearing the globe upon his shoulders.

The plays were announced well in advance on bills placed on posts all over the city but the performances could only be held if the weather permitted. Flags were hoisted to show that the play would be held and the flags were pulled down if the performance was cancelled. The plays were held as a rule in the afternoon. Wealthy and noted people would send their servants two or three hours before the play began to occupy good seats for them. While waiting for the play to begin the public amused itself by eating apples, nuts in autumn, pies and fried fish in winter and drinking ale, smoking, playing cards or dice and having a good time. Women seldom went to see a play but when they did, they wore a mask or came in man's clothing.

The playhouse was open 5 days a week. On Sundays all the forms of amusement were prohibited by the church and Thursdays play-acting was forbidden by the Queen to give the bear-baiting or cock-fighting a chance to make good business. The Queen also was very fond of bear-baiting herself and wanted the nobles to be present.

The stage did not resemble the present day one at all. There were no curtains to open, or close the play, all acting was performed by men, the roles of women were done by boy actors. There was no scenery, a placard with the word "Verona", for example, was enough for the audience to understand where the action was taking place.

The actors moved freely along the stage fulfilling their solo or monologue with much dramatism. The dramatist had to use his imagination and make the audience use theirs.

The great role Shakespeare's plays had on the English audience had no limits. He had written a lot of dramas, comedies and tragedies. Hundreds of his sayings have become part of the English language to this very day.

The "Globe" Playhouse is a part of the history of the English theatre. The playhouse itself was destroyed during the Great Fire in 1666 and in its place stands a brewery but the district of Maiden Lane and Drury Lane is still the heart of the theatrical life in London. Shakespearian plays are still loved by Londoners. But now new forms, modern theatres depict the great playwright's wit and thought on ultra modern stages, yet, it is difficult to say if it has brought more brightness into the hearts of the audience. The season of Shakespeare's plays which is held annually at the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon has become so established that it now carries the reputation of an English tradition.