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

Architectural information on the current reconstruction--Thatching

This is the first thatched roof building to be allowed in London since the Great Fire of 1666. Mindful that the original Globe was destroyed by fire in 1613 when wadding from a sound effects cannon ignited the thatch, the Globe builders have fire-treated the Norfolk reed and installed a sprinkler system along the ridge line of the roof.

The process begins by building and covering the bare frame of the theatre.

Next is added a layer of fireproofing to prevent what happened in 1613 from happening again (burning discharge from a prop cannon fired during a performance of Henry V set the roof on fire, and burned down the theatre).

Thatchers can now begin applying the thatch.

Slowly the fireproofing is covered, leaving some rough edges, of course.

The finishing touches are added to the completed structure, resulting in a surprisingly sturdy and waterproof roof.

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The University of Maryland

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updated on: 25 Feb 1997

This page created by Ryan Ritter