Globe Theatre facts for kids
The Globe Theatre was a famous playhouse in London, England. It's best known for showing the plays of William Shakespeare. Shakespeare's own acting group, called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, built the first Globe in 1599.
Many theatres in central London have used the name "Globe" over time. The original Globe was quite large. It could hold about 3,000 people sitting down. Another 1,000 people could stand in the open yard.
Sadly, the first Globe Theatre burned down on June 29, 1613. But a second Globe was quickly built in the same spot by June 1614. This second theatre closed in June 1642. This happened because a group called the Puritans ordered all theatres to shut down.
Uncovering the Globe's Secrets
Historians have drawings of the outside of the Globe Theatre. However, they don't really know what the inside looked like. To figure it out, they used several clues.
They looked at old written descriptions of the theatre. They also studied details from the building contracts. Drawings of other theatres from that time helped too. Plus, they found hints in the plays Shakespeare wrote for the Globe.
In 1989, archaeologists dug up the site where the Globe once stood. They found that the building had 20 sides, making it a polygon. They also learned it was about 100 feet (30 meters) wide.
Building the New Globe Theatre
A modern version of the Globe opened in 1997. It's called "Shakespeare's Globe." This new theatre is about 750 feet (230 meters) from where the original one stood.
An American actor and director named Sam Wanamaker started the project to rebuild the Globe. He created the Globe Theatre Trust. He spent many years raising money and doing research. This helped make sure the new theatre was built as accurately as possible. Sadly, Sam Wanamaker passed away before the new Globe was completely finished.
Images for kids
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Second Globe Theatre, detail from Hollar's View of London, 1647.
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The Globe Theatre is shown at the bottom centre of this London street map.
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Position on modern street plan.
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Site of the Globe Theatre, from Park Street. The dark line marks the foundation.
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A possible reconstruction of the Globe theatre by C. Walter Hodges.
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Plaque marking the location in Southwark where the Globe theatre once stood.
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See also
In Spanish: The Globe para niños
