Shakespeare's Globe Centre (USA) Centre for Globe Research

Rebuilding Shakespeare's Globe

Pentagram's Time Line

The process of construction was every bit as painstaking as the research that had gone before and continued as the new Globe was being built.

• 1980 October--Theo Crosby presents ideas for a range of noncombustible structures to overcome problems with fire requirements of the London Buildings Acts.
• 1981 March--Abortive preparations made for a start on site.
• 1986 December--Theo Crosby spends Christmas drawing the scheme for planning, marking the beginning of serious work on the project.
• 1987 July--Site clearance starts, completed by year-end.
  December--Jon Greenfield starts work on the project at Pentagram.
• 1988 June--Building of foundation diaphragm wall starts, completed by year-end.
• 1989 January--Pre-contract meeting with main contractors Lovell. First site meeting with Lovell.
• 1990 April--End of pile testing against party wall. Work suspended due to funding problems.
  August--Peter McCurdy, carpenter, first introduced to project.
• 1991 May--Theo Crosby presents self-build, five-year plan to the Board, leading to recommencement of work.
• 1992 January--First project meeting with Peter McCurdy.
  February/March--Oaks from New Forest and Forest of Dean donated.
  June--Two bays erected and unveiled by HRH Prince Edward.
  June-October--Measurement of buildings used as models.
  December--Self-build plan completes basement columns and starts on piazza slab.
• 1993 February--Site meeting with Bob Bennet, lime mortar expert. Firing of Tudor bricks by Ibstock.
  April--Four bays completed; first two bays moved.
  September--Meeting with Fire Research Station, Borehamwood. Eight bays completed.
  December--First meeting with Bruce Induni, lime plaster expert.
• 1994 February--Thirteen bays completed.
  March--Lime plaster fire tests conducted.
  December--Fourteen bays complete.
• 1995 May--Thatching of fifteen-bay auditorium complete.
  June--Temporary plywood stage house built for Workshop Season.
  November--Lovell's management contact revived, replacing self-build.
• 1996 February--Re-evaluation of stage house design with actors and scholars.
  April--Stair tower structures complete.
  May--Stair tower thatching complete.
  June--Second temporary stage house built, fully modeled. Fabrication of trial stage house commences.
  November--Revised decorative scheme for Heavens and frons scenae agreed.
• 1997 February--Tiring house structure erected.
  March--Tiring house thatch complete.
  April--Stage and stage roof complete.
  May--Stage roof thatched and boarded Decoration of Heavens and frons scenae.

Questions? Email the Research Archive(globe@deans.umd.edu)
Updated on: 16 November 1999