“Totus mundus agit histrionem.” Ever noticed those words above the entrance? That’s Latin for “The whole world is a playhouse.” Welcome to Shakespeare’s Globe.
This isn’t just any theatre. It’s a reconstruction of the original Globe, the playhouse where William Shakespeare himself staged his masterpieces. Imagine stepping back in time to experience the thrill of Elizabethan theatre.
The first Globe Theatre was built in 1599. Shakespeare was a key player. He owned 12.5% of the Globe. He wasn’t just a playwright. He was a shareholder. The timbers came from “The Theatre.” This earlier playhouse was owned by Richard Burbage’s father. When the lease expired they dismantled it. They moved the wood to build the Globe.
The Globe’s construction was a bit of a heist. Richard Burbage and his crew secretly deconstructed “The Theatre.” They carried the timbers across the Thames River. This made their new location.
The original Globe could hold up to 3,000 spectators. The groundlings stood in “the pit.” They paid just a penny. Wealthier patrons sat in the galleries. The best seats were on the top floor.
Flags advertised the type of play. A red flag meant history. White meant comedy. Black meant tragedy.
The first Globe burned down in 1613. A cannon during a performance of Henry VIII set the thatched roof alight. It only took two hours to burn down. One man’s trousers were put out with a beer. The Globe was rebuilt in 1614 with a tiled roof.
The Puritans shut down the second Globe in 1642. It was later torn down.
The remains of the original Globe were found under a car park in 1989. The building wasn’t round. It was a 20-sided polygon.
The modern Globe opened in 1997. It stands about 230 meters from the original site. American actor Sam Wanamaker founded the Shakespeare Globe Trust. He wanted to rebuild an accurate replica. The new Globe used 1,000 oak trees from English forests. The thatched roof is the only one allowed in London since the Great Fire of 1666.
Michelle Terry is the current artistic director. The Globe stages plays every summer. In winter, it’s used for education. Some performances are filmed. These are released as “Globe on Screen” productions.
So, as you stand here, remember the history. Remember the actors and the playwright. Remember the audiences who gathered here. Feel the magic of Shakespeare’s Globe.