Shakespeare's Globe

The Shakespeare's Globe Theater is a phenomenal site to visit. The original theater actually burned down during a performance of Henry VIII when a spark from a canon lit the thatch roof on fire. Everyone was able to get out safely and without much problems but the theater burned to the ground. An American actor visiting London found a plaque that said this is where the theatre used to be and decided a replica must be built. He spent several years fundraising the money and eventually the building began. It took him about 6 years to build the theater together with the amenities such as the modern foyer, the museum, restaurant and the blueprints for a second theater, this one to be indoors. He died before the theater opened but his daughter, an actress as well, took care of the final preparations. She is a popular actress in the UK and came out as Mrs. Hooch in the first Harry Potter film. She was the teacher that taught them how to play quidich.

The theater was built as close as possible to the original Globe. Raw pine wood was used for everything and no nails, just wooden pegs. Some wood columns and walls have the look of marble which is how the original theater looked. The thatch roof is the only one allowed in London because they were banned after the 1666 fire and a special law permitting this one had to be passed. The roof has a sprinkler system, unlike the original one, to protect in case of any smoke or fire and it is made out of the best thatch from Norfolk which only needs to be repaired every 25 years.

The theater is the same size as the old one but back in the day more than 3,000 people would be squashed in there, 1,000 of those as the grounders standing up. Today because of comfort and regulations, only 1,500 are allowed in the theater. The stage is high enough to where everyone can see very well and the show continues regardless of rain. The people sitting and the actors are completely protected but the grounders must wear raincoats; no umbrellas allowed. The cost for a grounder ticket is 5 pounds (one penny back in the day).

Like back in the day, the audience sitting can rent a cushion but unlike the old days, there are no fleas included. The queen never assisted the shows but rather had them performed at the palace. The nobles that went could sit at the more comfortable "noble" seats and sometimes behind the stage where everyone could admire their outfits.

Some of the audience was known to throw objects and food to the actors if they did not like them and a lot of times, the actors would apply that incident to the show. The theater has very good acoustics which accounts for the lack of microphones and it is believed to be a result of the circular wooden structure.

The Globe Theater has productions only in the summer from May to mid October and the yearly listing is published in February. The tickets can be purchased via the internet just like any modern theater and donations are accepted to continue with the construction.