Watch the recording of a guided tour of the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London, which was organized for the overseas students by the staff of the theatre.
https://vkvideo.ru/video98656218_456239248?t=2s
Write an article for the Student Union magazine describing your impressions of the event.
Include the information that is most likely to interest your school students who could become the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre potential visitors next year.
Remember to:
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describe the theatre, using the information from the video, dwell on:
History and origin
Architecture
Actors and audience
Ambitious plans;
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express your impressions from the excursion;
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give recommendations for future visitors;
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use and underline the following words and expressions in your article:
groundlings
replica
Wooden O.
Write 300 - 350 words
Тексты представлены участниками олимпиады в авторском оформлении.
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Our Global Heritage
One of the most unusual places around the globe is the modern reconstruction of the Globe Theatre in London. Are you ready for more details and emotions?
Founded by Sam Wanamaker in 1997, the theatre is a faithful replica of the original building owned by Shakespeare’s playing company in the 17th century. The design team incorporated a number of features of the 1599 and 1614 buildings. So, the theatre my friends and I have visited recently is the truly ‘Wooden O,’ as Shakespeare himself called the place.
The momentous day in my life hath come. The tour itinerary promised the delirious pleasure of the magical theatricality and the psychological exploration at once. Actually speaking, I really loved this experience though I had to admit that it had been way too costly. The groundlings who used to pay just a penny 4 centuries ago would be pretty surprised at the modern prices. Standing in the pit nowadays was the same uncomfortable, though the actors Tony Howell and Sarah Woodward showed the importance of the three-dimensional space of the theatre in live performances. People loved this magic!
Plays are staged every summer as in the winter the theatre is used just for educational purposes. I think that the audience needs two theatres presenting work all year round. The building of an indoor candlelit playhouse would have a major impact on the future development of the theatre.
Needless to say, some perfomances are on limited availability or sold out. So, last year we missed some plays because of it. It is not in the stars to hold our destiny, that’s why I offer to book a tour in advance next year. By the way, for larger groups there are huge discounts which are easy to score. Well, there is still only one question that remains unsolved. Which month is perfect to go next year? June, July or August? Cast your vote in our Facebook group today!
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THE OLDEST ENGLISH THEATRE
The Shakespeare Globe is one of the most important British theatres. I recently got a chance to enjoy a guided video tour of the playhouse, which left me impressed and curious to know more.
The history of the modern-day Shakespeare Globe started in 1970, when an American entrepreneur Sam Wanamaker decided to build an exact replica of the famous Wooden O. in which the prominent writer himself used to perform. The original Globe was the very first purpose-built theatre in London. The playhouse got its name from its unique architecture, as it was built using solely oak and plaster as well as a thatched roof.
The architectural approach used in the construction of the globe mirrored Shakespear’s idea of how his plays should be performed. The distinctive form of the building brought actors and the audience together in a crowd-like exciting way.
One of the most unique features of the Globe is the dynamic and lively audience. The audience is segregated into two groups: around 600 groundlings who watch the whole play standing right beside the stage, and 3 tiers of galleries, each fitting 300 people. People who’ve visited the theatre describe the atmosphere as being at a festival, where the crowd is unified and always engaged with the performers. Joseph Marcel and Sarah Woodward, actors of the Globe, described it as “absolutely exhilarating”, “a magical, unique place to work”.
The Globe has already opened the largest exhibition devoted to Shakespeare in London in 2000, as well as a new education center in 2010. The organisation has copious ambitious plans for the future, describing the theatre as ever-expanding. A new indoor Jacobean theatre is to be opened by the end of 2013, following the features of an indoor playhouse Shakespeare moved to after 1608, as well as a new archive in 2016.
The Shakespeare globe is a unique piece of British theatre history, which is worth visiting. Should you decide to give it a try, I would recommend taking a boat ride there, as it is cheaper than London cabs and offers a magnificent view of the river Thames. Moreover, if you have a chance, buy the groundling tickets as they provide an exclusive viewpoint of the actors on stage and give you that solitary feeling of unity with the crowd.