Last Updated on September 16, 2022
When Was The Globe Theatre Rebuilt? Did you know that it was rebuilt in 1935? Founded by Richard Burbage, it was destroyed in 1613, but rebuilt again in 1935? The building is now a cultural institution in London and hosts plays by Shakespeare, his contemporaries, and new writing. It also offers readings and special events during the winter, and guided tours year-round. The Shakespeare Company’s programme is designed to foster academic curiosity while making Shakespeare accessible to a wide audience.
Built by Richard Burbage
It is said that Shakespeare was the friend of theatre-goer Richard Burbage. Born in London, Burbage had a theatrical background, and his father, James Burbage, had built his first theater. Performing was an early part of his life, and Shakespeare gave him some of his most famous leading roles. The two worked together as a chamberlain’s men, and they performed at the Theatre when it was in London and the Globe when it was moved to the Globe.
Richard Burbage’s father, James Burbage, had already built the theater in Shoreditch, where Shakespeare performed. The new theater opened in May 1599. The new building was built of Norfolk reeds, and the roof was made of a special fire-resistant liquid. Burbage’s father built the theater, but his son would later build the Globe on the same site. The theater was the first permanent theater in London.
Burbage’s influence was reinforced by his work as a leading actor. He had a near-majority stake in the new playhouse. This new position in Shakespeare’s life had direct artistic consequences. Following the settlement, Shakespeare created a series of lead roles that were larger and more conspicuous. It’s likely that this would increase Burbage’s role as a leading actor in Shakespeare’s plays.
Blackfriars Playhouse is a re-creation of Shakespeare’s indoor theatre. Tom McLaughlin based his design on other theatres from the 17th century, and visited the surviving halls to get a clear idea of what the original theatre looked like. The original theatre was named Richard Farrant’s Playhouse and Burbage acquired it in 1596 for PS600. It opened in 1608 and Shakespeare’s company began performing there.
Burbage was a leading shareholder of The Theatre and the King’s Men, and he was an integral part of its construction. He also led a plot to tear down the Theatre, which his father had built, in 1576. Burbage’s work was also celebrated in his own time, as the actor Richard Burbage was part of the Leicester household. The British Theatre Royal was built in 1663 and has hosted countless events for three and a half centuries.
Burned down in 1613
The Globe Theatre burned down in 1613. The playwright William Shakespeare, then 49, was the most popular playwright of the age. Younger writers admired him and jealous contemporaries hailed him. Earlier that year, the King’s Men acting company had performed six of his plays at court and at the wedding of James I’s daughter, Elizabeth. When the playwright died, the Globe Theatre was in ashes.
The fire began during a performance of Henry VIII by Shakespeare. The cannon misfired, setting fire to the thatch and wooden structure. Within an hour, the Globe Theatre was destroyed, but only one person died. The audience was not aware of the smoke curling upward until the cannon fired. An eyewitness claimed that the fire was not a result of the performance but the cannon.
When it was built in 1599, the Globe Theater was a circular wooden structure with balconies at one end. The gentry were seated on the balconies while the groundlings stood around the stage. In 1608, Lord Chamberlain’s men built another theater, the Blackfriars Theatre, which was a more intimate space for 700 spectators. The Blackfriars theater was designed to replace the Globe in the winter when it would be inaccessible.
The original Globe was built by the King’s Men, later known as the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. They built the original Globe from recycled theatre timbers. Shakespeare’s first playhouse was The Theatre in Shoreditch. The owner, Mr. Allen, had refused to renew the lease on the theatre, so Shakespeare snuck onto Allen’s land while he was away for Christmas. The building’s timbers were stored in the yard north of the Thames.
The Globe was the first English theatre. The King Chamberlain’s Men, a group of actors and playwrights, were patronized by King James I. A performance of Henry VIII took place at the Globe on 29 June 1613. A cannon, sounding the unexpected arrival of the king, ignited the roof. Two songs were written about the fire. Sadly, both were written about the tragic event.
Rebuilt in 1935
The Globe Theatre in Bertram was originally constructed in the 1930s and has undergone some monumental renovations to its historic interior and exterior. Two men who were inspired by the theater’s rich history decided to buy it and restore it to its former glory. But they weren’t trying to create a modern building, they wanted to preserve its unique charm and beauty. Luckily, the new owners were able to raise the funds they needed for the project.
The Globe Theatre was built by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, the acting company of Shakespeare. Today, the Globe is a fully restored theatre with extensive backstage support areas, and a modern lobby, restaurant, gift shop, and visitor center. The theatre seats 873 spectators, plus a group of 700 “Groundlings” standing in the yard. Hence, the audience at the Globe Theatre is about half the size of a typical Shakespearean audience.
The reconstruction of the Globe Theatre was meticulously researched. Its final plans were made after discovering the location of the original Globe. The renovations included modern sprinklers on the roof, a visitors center, and additional backstage support areas. Modern Health and Safety regulations limit the theater’s seating capacity to 1,300 people during a show. The new theater stands approximately 200 yards from the original site. It was the first new theater to be permitted in London since the Great Fire of 1666.
After the 1931 fire, the Globe was nearly to be torn down. The city had leased the building to a nonprofit organization, and this group began producing full-length Shakespeare plays. The committee also remodeled the adjacent Falstaff Tavern to create a permanent structure. It was re-roofed and brought up to code. It is now one of the top regional theatres in the country.
The original Globe was destroyed by fire in 1614. After the fire, a second Globe was quickly constructed on the same location. The new Globe was much larger and more lavish. Unlike the first Globe, it did not have a thatched or tile roof. The Globe Theatre reopened in 1997. It is one of the city’s most unique theatre spaces. There are thousands of visitors who come to see a play every year.
Started showing plays by Sam Wanamaker
In 1949, Wanamaker first visited London and was blown away by the city. After visiting the City of London’s theatre district, he decided to seek out the Globe Theatre, which he found sadly in a run-down brewery. He was so impressed by the theatre that he found a tattered plaque in the same building, indicating it had once been home to Shakespeare.
After spending many years fundraising, designing, and obtaining permissions, the actor founded the Shakespeare’s Globe Trust. The theater’s reconstruction was completed in 1997, thanks to Wanamaker’s vision and hard work. The theater is a replica of the original Globe Theatre, and has a museum and candlelight performances. Sam Wanamaker’s work on the project has made a big impact in the community, and the theatre continues to be an iconic venue for English culture.
The Globe Theatre’s unique design also attracts a wide audience. Young and old alike come to watch the plays at the historic space. The open air of the theatre gives it a unique nighttime experience. It’s not uncommon for apprentices to miss work just to attend a play at the Globe. It’s not just actors who go to watch Shakespeare plays at the Globe, though.
A passionate advocate for Shakespeare and his work, Sam Wanamaker’s commitment to the Globe Theatre resulted in a successful rebuild in 1997. His campaign for the restoration took nearly two decades, and despite the skepticism of the political establishment and the public, he was eventually able to get the project up and running. He also became president of the Globe Theatre Trust, which he continues to lead.
The original Shakespeare Globe Theatre burned down in 1613 due to a misfire. Fortunately, the Shakespeare family stepped in to invest in the theatre. The Shakespeare family paid the playwright PS10 for his share. This was the first of many plays he would perform, and he soon found a niche for himself as a playwright. The playwright went on to write more than thirty plays for the Theatre.
About The Author
Alison Sowle is the typical tv guru. With a social media evangelist background, she knows how to get her message out there. However, she's also an introvert at heart and loves nothing more than writing for hours on end. She's a passionate creator who takes great joy in learning about new cultures - especially when it comes to beer!