Globe Theatre Opening
Interesting information about
the Globe Theatre Opening during the life and times of William Shakespeare and the Globe
Theatre in Elizabethan London, England
What was the date of the
original Globe Theatre Opening
The opening of the new Globe Theatre
was a great event. The opening of the Globe Theatre was in
the summer of 1598. The building and opening of the Globe
Theatre followed the failed negotiations by Burbage to
re-new the lease of the 'Theatre', where William Shakespeare
and the acting troupe called the Lord Chamberlain's Men had
performed.
Globe Theatre Opening in London
during the Elizabethan era
The opening of the Globe Theatre
was eagerly awaited by the people of London during the year of 1598.
Many would have seen the actors when they played at the Theatre, and
waited in anticipation for the new Globe Theatre to open. The location
of the Globe Theatre was on the Southbank of the river Thames in
Southwark, London in close proximity to the Bear Garden. The picture of
the Globe Theatre London Map was taken from an engraving by Claes Van
Visscher. The many Londoners who visited the Bear Garden would have seen
the Globe Theatre built quickly and heard about how magnificent the
Globe Theatre opening would be.
Picture of the Globe Theatre
London Map by Claes Van Visscher
London, England, 1616
The Opening of the original Globe
Theatre
To announce the arrival of the new playhouse, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men
flew a flag featuring the figure of Hercules carrying a Globe on his
shoulders to announce the imminent performance of their first
performance, which was going to be Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare. This
classical theme was displayed above the main
entrance of the Globe Theatre. A crest displaying Hercules bearing the
globe on his shoulders together with the motto "Totus mundus
agit histrionem" ( the whole world is a playhouse ). This phrase was
slightly re-worded in the William Shakespeare play As You Like It - "All
the world’s a stage" which was performed at the Globe Theater.
The Globe theatre was built in a similar style to the Coliseum, but on a smaller
scale. Never-the-less it still had an audience capacity of over 1500
people and this amount increased to 3000 when people mingling outside
the grounds. The opening of the Globe Theatre attracted Londoners who
wanted to marvel at the new theatre and many vendors who sold their
wares in the grounds outside the Globe Theatre. A trumpet was sounded to
announce to people that the play was about to begin at the Globe Theatre
in order for people to take their final places.
The Opening of the New Globe
Theatre in London
In
1993 construction work began on the New
Globe Theatre in London. The New Globe Theatre is located approximately 200 yards from the site of
the original Globe theatre. On June 12th
1997 the opening of the New Globe Theatre in London was inaugurated by
Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by HRH Prince Philip.
Globe Theatre Opening
Interesting Facts and information
about the Globe Theatre Opening.
Additional details, facts and information about the
Globe Theatre can be accessed via the Globe Theatre Sitemap.
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