Shakespeare's Globe Center--USA: Center for Globe Research

The following pictures were taken on 10 September, 1996, by Dr. Franklin J. Hildy at the new Globe.

The first picture to the right shows the the second gallery of the new Globe. Three galleries surround the stage, providing spectators with a higher level of interaction with the performance, as well as other audience members.

Here is another view across the stage into the galleries, without all those actors getting in the way of the architecture. The material on the stage floor is a mat of rushes (straw-like fibers), with loose rushes strewn on top. This both reduces noise and provides for a more interesting look (and it gives something for the actors to kick around).

The next picture to the right shows our modern counterpart to Shakespeare's infamous groundlings enjoying the show. In the various workshop productions held at the Globe so far, most of the patrons have preferred to stand in the yard to watch the plays (as long as it wasn't raining).

Here is a shot of the audience interacting with and enjoying the show. The dynamics of a performance space like the Globe allows for a much higher level of interaction between performance and audience.

The Globe's Artistic Director Mark Rylance (in the blue hat) watches a rehearsal from one of the "Gentlemen's Rooms" in the second gallery. The gala grand opening for the Globe's first full season is scheduled for this coming June.

Back to the Pictures and Images page.