The Globe Theatre

The Globe theatre was a theatre in London. It was builtin 1599 by Shakespeare's playing company and was destroyed by fire on 29 june 1613. A second Globe theatre was built on the same site by June 1614 and closed in 1643. A modern reconstruction of the Globe, named “Shakespeare's Globe”, Opened in 1997.

Like all the otfer theatres in London, the Globe was closed down by the Puritans in 1642.

The Globe's actual dimensions are unknown. The evidence suggests that it was a three-storey, open-air amphitheatre approximately 100 feet (30m) in diameter that could house up to 3,000 spectators. However, in 1988-89, the uncovering of small part of the Globe's foundation suggested that it was a polygon of 20 sides.

The stage measured approximatley 43 feet (13.1 m) in widith, 27 feet (8.2 m) in depth and was raised about 5 feet (1.5m) off the ground. On this stage, there was a trap door for use by performers to enter from the “cellarge” area beneath the stage.

Large columns on either sde of the stages supported a roof. The balcony housed the musicians and could also be used for scenes requiring an upper space, such as the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet.

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