The Globe Theatre in London pays tribute one of the world's greatest and most famous playwrights, William Shakespeare. While the building that stands today is not the original, it stands much as it did with Shakespeare was writing plays, and the costumes used a reminiscent of those used in his day as well. To visit the Globe is to get a picture of Shakespeare and the way life was in his time

William Shakespeare

Just who was William Shakespeare? While the world remembers him as a writer, he did not start as such. He actually started his career as an actor, and the first record of him performing a major role was in the records of the Chamberlain's Men, where he both acted and wrote. This group quickly became his, and throughout his lifetime they were the ones he wrote for. Demand for plays was high, as theatre companies would perform a different play every day of the week. The exact dates when Shakespeare penned the majority of his works is not perfectly recorded, but between 1592 and 1614, he wrote 37 plays, many of which are celebrated as some of the best English literary works of all time.

William Shakespeare Timeline � A detailed timeline of the famous playwright's life

Mr. William Shakespeare and the Internet � A guide to various reputable Shakespeare sites

Shakespeare Online � A detailed site about Shakespeare and his works

Sites on Shakespeare � A huge list of Shakespeare related resources

The Original Globe Theatre

Players and the theatre were not acceptable forms of entertainment in the minds of the upper class in 16^th century England, and theatre companies, like Shakespeare's Chamberlain's Men, struggled to find a place to play. They worked at The Theatre until 1596, when the group's lease was over and the owner refused to let them continue working there because of his view of the trade. A clause in the lease made it possible for the players to disassemble the Theatre building, piece by piece, and take it to a new leased location. There it was rebuilt and named the Globe. For 14 years, the Globe was home to the Chamberlain's Men, who performed some of the greatest works of Shakespeare on its stage.

The first Globe's life was cut short due to a tragedy. In 1613 the players were performing Henry VIII, when a stage cannon accidentally ignited the thatched roof of the seating area of the theatre. In less than two hours, the theatre burned to the ground. Everyone escaped, but all of the adult costumes, sets, and documents housed within were lost. It was rebuilt, but Shakespeare did not write any more plays after the first building was destroyed. The second Globe theatre was closed in 1644, when Puritans in control of England made theatre illegal.

Shakespeare and the Globe Theatre � Gives information about the building and its history

Barb's Web � History and information about the original Globe theatre

The Globe Theatre of 1599 � Explores the history and structure of the first Globe

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre � Detailed history of the theatre, including its destruction and rebuilding

Layout of the Globe

The Globe did not have a complex layout. It was an open arena, and the playgoers sat around a central stage that had an open ceiling. It was around 100 feet in diameter and was shaped somewhat like an octagon. The theatre was designed to house 1500 audience members, but many more would squeeze in to enjoy the plays. When plays were being performed, a flag would fly signaling what play was underway, an early form of advertising.

Old Globe Theatre Structure � Provides the probable layout and dimensions of the original Globe

Rebuilding Shakespeare's Globe

In 1949, actor Sam Wanamaker began to dream of rebuilding the Globe theatre. It took him his entire lifetime to see his dream come to fruition, and in June of 1992, the first two sections of the newly built Globe theatre were unveiled. The theatre officially opened in June of 1997. It is built as close to the original as possible, but no pictures or blueprints of the original building have survived, so much of the design is based on the guesses of historians. The theatre was built using 16^th-century techniques, and even sports a thatched roof. Some modern touches have been added, such as illuminated exit signs and fire doors, but in every sense possible it resembles what the original Globe probably looked like. Today, the Globe also hosts educational programs throughout the year, and tours are available at the historic site.

Shakespeare's Globe � The official website for the modern Globe Theatre

Sam Wanamaker � Encyclopedia entry about the man behind the modern Globe Theatre