What Happened to the Globe Theatre in London?

By Robert Palmer

The Globe Theatre in London is one of the most famous theaters in history. It was built in 1599 by Shakespeare’s playing company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men.

The theater was one of the most popular venues for plays during the Elizabethan era. However, it was destroyed in a fire in 1613 during a performance of Henry VIII.

After the fire, the Globe Theatre was rebuilt on the same site and continued to operate until it was closed down by Puritans in 1642. The Puritans believed that theaters were immoral and closed them all down as part of their campaign to enforce their strict religious beliefs on society.

The Globe Theatre remained closed for over 350 years until it was rebuilt once again in 1997 using traditional methods and materials. The new theater is located just a few hundred yards from the original site and is now a popular destination for tourists and theater enthusiasts alike.

Rebuilding the Globe Theatre

The reconstruction of the Globe Theatre began in 1987 when American actor and director Sam Wanamaker founded the Shakespeare Globe Trust with the aim of rebuilding Shakespeare’s original theater. After years of fundraising, planning, and construction, the new Globe Theatre finally opened its doors to audiences in 1997.

The new theater is an authentic reconstruction of Shakespeare’s original playhouse, with a thatched roof made from water reeds, oak beams, and lime plaster walls. It has three tiers of seating made from English oak and can accommodate up to 1,500 people.

Performances at the New Globe Theatre

Today, the new Globe Theatre is home to a wide range of performances throughout the year. It hosts productions of Shakespeare’s plays as well as other classic plays from around the world.

One unique feature of performances at the new Globe Theatre is that they are often staged using traditional practices from Shakespeare’s time. This includes actors using natural light and performing without microphones or amplification.

The Globe Theatre Museum

In addition to watching performances at the new Globe Theatre, visitors can also explore the Globe Theatre Museum. This museum is located next to the theater and features a range of exhibits about Shakespeare’s life and works, as well as the history of the original Globe Theatre.

The museum includes a collection of artifacts such as costumes, musical instruments, and props from past productions at the Globe. It also features interactive exhibits that allow visitors to learn more about Shakespeare’s plays and their historical context.

Conclusion

The Globe Theatre in London has had a long and fascinating history. From its origins in 1599 to its destruction by fire in 1613, its closure by Puritans in 1642, and its eventual reconstruction in 1997, the theater has been an important part of London’s cultural landscape for centuries.

Today, visitors can watch performances at the new Globe Theatre using traditional practices from Shakespeare’s time or explore the history of the theater at the adjacent museum. The Globe remains an important destination for anyone interested in Shakespeare’s plays or theater history more broadly.