Circling the Globe: Shakespeare's Theatre

Ready for another flashback from our "Chasing the Janes" tour of England? If so, the next stop will transport you into a famous playwright's world!

​Missing the tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre due to misinformation, we returned again today for a visit. The performance of 'As You Like It' was fabulous. Well acted and the costumes were perfect for the time period. ​​​Here is a photo of the set . . .

​And here is the set for 'Merchant of Venice' showing this afternoon, put together in ONE hour. We watched them do it as we listened to our tour guide. Unbelievable!

​It was not pleasant to be an actor on this stage in Shakespeare's time. The crowd standing in front would stink from sweat, be rowdy, and loud. The upper class sat on either side of the stage, and they would be discussing the actors during the play, even to the point of criticizing their acting, and asking questions about the next act, etc, during the performance!

​Today, we toured the place, and visited the exhibition, which gave insight into all that was involved. Here is a model of the Globe in Shakespeare's time. It was burned down when the director decided to use special effects. . .a cannon, forgetting the theatre was made of thatch and wood!

​Play goers would put their coins (1p for standing room in front of the stage, 2p for center seats, and 3p for seats nearer to the stage, with cushions), in this slot, and when it was full, the collectors would break it open and put the coins in a box in the office. Thus the term, 'box office' was born.

Here are a few costumes from past plays: Juliet's nurse, Merchant of Venice, and Cleopatra, played by a man:

​In those days, everything was hand made. . .

​Including, of course, the props. . .

And so ends our quick tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theate. By the way, did you know that we have hundreds of words and phrases that came into the English language throught this prolific writer?

Gossip and monumental are two words he brought to us. 

And the phrases, 

• Eaten me out of house and home (2 Henry IV)
• Forever and a day (As You Like It)
• Heart of gold (Henry V)
• In my mind's eye (Hamlet)
• Melted into thin air (The Tempest)
• Neither rhyme nor reason (As You Like It)
• Parting is such sweet sorrow (Romeo and Juliet)
• Spotless reputation (Richard II)
• Too much of a good thing (As You Like It)
• The world's my oyster (Merry Wives of Windsor)

Which of these surprise you? Do you have others to add to the list?

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Did you know one of the most encouraging and helpful things you can do for a debut author is to request her book at your local library? And you can do it online!

I would be so blessed by this gift. If you have read my Middle-grade historical fiction, The Heart Changer, or have read about it's heart-mending theme of forgiveness, and think a young reader you  know would be touched by it, please consider sharing it with your librarian -school or public.

Many thanks!