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WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE was born at Stratford-on-Avon, in 1564, and died in the pit or courtyard, and dearer if you wished to have a seat in one of the
1616. As a young man he came to London to make his fortune as an actor. He galleries or balconies.
joined a company of Players, but it was not until he began to write plays that
he gained fame and fortune. In 1599, Shakespeare and his friends built the The stage itself jutted out from an end wall into the pit or yard; part of it was
famous Globe Theatre on the south bank of the Thames. It was here that his covered over, probably as a protection against the weather. At the rear of
best known plays - Romeo and Juliet, King Lear, Othello, Hamlet, Macbeth and the stage was a small room, covered by a curtain, which could be used as a
King Henry V - were performed. tomb or a cave, or for a scene in an inn. On either side of this room were
doors through which the players could enter or leave the stage. Above the
The building of a theatre like the Globe was a very special event. It had been small room was a balcony, which was used to represent a cliff, or the wall of
the custom for many years to perform plays in the market-place, in the a castle, or just a balcony as in the famous scene of Romeo and Juliet.
churchyard or in the courtyard of an inn: in any public place, in fact, where an
audience could be gathered together. The galleries for the spectators surrounded the front and sides of the stage.
From these galleries you could look down into the pit or the yard, and see the
The Globe Theatre itself was like an inn. It had a sign which gave it its name: a people moving about, eating oranges and apples, and talking to the players
picture of Hercules carrying the world on his shoulders. It was built around an before the performance began.
open courtyard, a three-storey building, with its balconies and galleries
arranged like the rooms of an inn. The stage itself was fully open to view, and only simple scenery was used, but
the magic of William Shakespeare captured the audiences of his world, just
The performances were held in the afternoon about two oclock. The flag as it still captures the audiences of today.
fluttering on the tower of the theatre was a sign that a performance would be
given that day. Handbills were printed which advertised the play.
The prices for admission were 3d., 6d., 9d. and 1s. It was cheaper to stand in

1. Where was William Shakespeare born? 9. Using this and your other work on the theatre, explain why some people in
2. Why did he come to London? Elizabethan England felt that theatre was a bad thing.
3. How did he gain fame and fortune? 10. Design a poster advertising a play by William Shakespeare. Use the play
4. What famous theatre did Shakespeare titles mentioned in the information above. Include the following details: Venue:
T
and his friends build? the Globe theatre, admission prices, dates of performances, type of play
A 5. Name three of Shakespeares plays. [ Romeo & Juliet = Romance; King Lear/Othello/Hamlet = Tragedy; King Henry
S 6. What was the sign of the Globe theatre? V = History ] - and dont forget to include the author!
K 7. At what time were performances held? 11. Describe in your own words a visit to the Globe Theatre.
8. What were the prices of admission?
S Finish for homework

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