Shakespeare’s Globe is a theatre dedicated to Shakespeare’s work, founded by William Wanamaker. Last month my sister and I had a lovely opportunity to tour the Globe and exhibition. I shared my experience of the Globe, today I gave my sister a chance to give you her thoughts.
Shakespeare’s Globe 🌎 A Sister’s Perspective
I’m someone who’s only ever studied Shakespeare in school and watched Romeo and Juliet. But I found the tour to be quite educational, fun and interactive. The tour guy, took us around each part of of the hall and explained how part of the building was made of a hay roof, walls made of mud and goat hair. Sounds disgusting right? But it’s true. And impressive really.
To think how man has advanced from mud and goat hair to glass etc. The location as to where the globe was, played a significant role in the tour. The building lies by the river bank in London, (approximately 5-10 mins walk from London Bridge station). In the dark ages entertainment of this nature was banned all around the city of London. Including gaming and anything that involved people going off on a razz (stupidly drunk).
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The forbidden!!
People used to cross the bridge to come and enjoy entertainment of this kind as London bridge wasn’t considered London. The tour progressed with us getting a tour of inside the theatre, sitting on benches. There were 3 levels of seating not including the private seating and the main stage.
The guide explained that where you sat in those days informed others of your status. Though some of the seats in the cabins or private room didn’t even offer greats views. I imagine back in the day it was more about being seen than seeing (?!?) There was a little seating areas on the main stage itself, however this meant that the actors would have their backs to you. We walked our way from the benches to the standing area getting different views from different angles in the theatre.
Our guide explained that back in the day those who couldn’t afford to buy seating would stand. Can you imagine having to stand for about 3 hours just to watch the forbidden plays? Shakespeare and co definitely brought so much joy to many. But one can only imagine the conditions of the standing area of the theatre.
The British Weather
At this point I’ll assume that everyone’s heard of British weather, it rains and rains some more. I can’t imagine this was any different back then so imagine how it must have smelled in the standing areas. The theatre offered no shelter for those who stood, so many would be covered in mud. To add to the conditions, these spaces would be so crowded people would also go to the toilet there. So gross right!!
During one of the famous performances, trying to make it a spectacular show they fired a shot on the hay roof and it caught fire. Luckily enough everyone in the theatre escaped unharmed. Shakespeare asked the people to help him rebuild the globe and this time with better materials. Everyone who contributed to the reconstruction of the building had their names write on concrete slates.
The tour then proceeded back to the front of the building where the concrete slates were. This is also where our tour concluded. Next time when my sister and I go, we’ll get the advanced tickets just so we can get a view from the very top of the theatre. We are hoping to catch a show to get the full experience of the tour.
Disclosure: This post was written by my sister to share her thoughts and experiences of Shakespeare’s Globe.
Disclaimer: We were provided with two tickets by 365 Tickets but all opinions, mistakes and errors are our own.
Journa Ramirez says
I’m a huge fan of Shakespeare so I’m sure I’ll love it too! Thanks for sharing your experience.
Laura says
I absolutely LOVE Shakespeare’s Globe; im sure i remember learning a little about it at school xxx
Louise Smith says
I’ve never been to Shakespeares Globe before, but it’s definitely somewhere I would love to visit. I love anything like this 🙂
Louise x
Helen Costello says
It is a very striking building – Love your point about how it must have smelt due to the damp conditions! Had never thought of that.
Glam Glitz Gloss says
Sounds like a great tour and really interesting. I didn’t know that was how they originally made the theatre, crazy to think all that created an entire building
Kristal Xavier says
This seems relaxing but intense. I would enjoy this tour ir seem like so much fun
Baby Isabella says
What a lovely guest post from your sister. Sounds like an amazing place to visit and high up on our list!
Steph says
I’ve always wanted to visit and do have some tentative plans in the pipeline so fingers crossed. Your pictures are stunning as well
Melissa Zia says
I have always wanted to go to the globe, it looks like an amazing place and very historical too
Globalmouse says
I can’t believe I haven’t been to the Globe yet, it looks and sounds amazing, love the photos too.
Melanie Edjourian says
Oh wow it looks amazing there. I do love theatre but have never been to the Globe yet. Shakespeare is fantastic, I love a few of the plays.
Being Ashleigh says
I remember going on a school trip here once and we got to watch a scene from one of the shows.
Sally Akins says
I love Shakespeare and I’d love to go and visit the Globe, I’ll have to look into booking the tour!
Rhian Westbury says
I want to go and explore Shakespear’s Globe as I bet it’s really interesting to hear more about the history x
Rachael says
We went a couple of years ago when they did Julius Caesar over summer (my favourite Shakespeare play), and we did have to stand we couldn’t get seated tickets. Luckily the weather was on our side, and we found a beam to perch up against one, I’d love to go back but would definitely want to get seated tickets next time!
Hungry_Healthy_Happy says
We recently went to Shakespeare’s birth place, but I really want to go here next.
Agata @BarkTime says
I didn’t know the story about the shot and the fire… well, you learn something new every day 🙂
Ana De Jesus says
I love the Shakespeare Globe it is a lot of fun! I like that your sister did her own review as well. 365 tickets are great! x
Laura Dove says
Oh wow that looks amazing! I would love to go inside and see it, I have been outside countless times but never set foot in!
Sarah Bailey says
I would love to be able to view the globe one day it seems like such an amazing place. It sounds like you both had a great time as well.
Rani Bruyns says
That looks absolutely incredible! I’ve been outside of the building but have never gotten a chance to go in unfortunately!
Joanna says
I have actually been to the Globe to attend a play: The Taming of the Shrew. I had tickets for the standing area which was great as I was so close to the stage. It was amazing, if you get the chance try to attend a play as well. The actors are incredible!
Elyse Silver says
I’ve never been but it is somewhere that A Pirate’s View and I want to travel to. Hopefully we’ll get to visit it this year. Great photo’s also. x
Mummy Times Two says
I really wish we lived nearer to The Globe. It’s the place where for me Shakespeare’s plays most come to life.
Hannah Latoya Bond says
I’ve never been to the Globe but it does look interesting. I remember learning about it in school