To be standing in the building that is the exact replica of the theatre that Shakespeare’s plays were performed in in the 16th and 17th centuries felt absolutely unreal. It almost felt like stepping back in time, and there were times where I had to remind myself where I was, simply because it’s so easy to get wrapped up in the experience that The Globe presents. The wooden structure of the theatre itself, along with the openness of it all, made it feel a million times more authentic than a modern theatre today.
The moments when the doors open and we all rush to secure a spot as close to the stage as we can possibly get are ironic, as that’s probably exactly what the groundlings did in the 16th century. It’s amazing to me that in Shakespeare’s time, people would pay a mere penny to see a show performed at a famous theatre, and now we pay five pounds to have what I assume to be a similar experience in maybe not all, but in many aspects. As I leaned against the stage and looked around me- the people sitting in the galleries, those standing on their tiptoes to find a better spot to stand, and even those who were completely still, eyes scanning the stage and eager for the show to begin- it felt strangely reflective of how this theatre must’ve been like 400 years ago.
Seeing the Globe become full with people physically, but also the energy and excitement in the air, it wasn’t hard for me to imagine how the experience must’ve been in Shakespeare’s day. I can imagine the audience cheering and egging on the actors, getting completely lost and swept up in the performance, much like we do now. It’s refreshing to know that while theatre is constantly evolving, sometimes the most important parts remain unchanged: people from all different backgrounds coming together to forget about the outside world and experience art that has the power to make us look at the world a little differently.
Theatre in London U of A 