Standing in Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre replica was such an experience. I did not realize how much I hate standing up. I hate it. A lot. Despite my being lazy and not wanting to stand for two hours, both plays were incredible. Though when you go next year, I highly recommend you stay away from a matinee show if possible. That was rough.
Having the opportunity to experience a play as a Shakespearean time spectator was very cool. It was pretty hard to see through people if you weren’t in the front or sitting. I was thinking about this the other day, but it made me realize why Shakespeare actually invented upstage and downstage. Having the stage basically be a ramp and having the upper part of the ramp in the back, upstage, would help add depth and help audience members see better. I just thought that was a funny thing to experience.
In the prompt, it says we are seeing Romeo and Juliet at The Globe, but that is incorrect, so I will be writing about A Midsummer Night’s Dream, which we did see at The Globe. Let me just begin by saying, wow. That was the first production of AMSND I have ever seen, and I had never read it, so it was such a magical experience. I loved the set, costumes, and THE BUBBLES! I think this would differ heavily in Shakespeare’s day because, uhhh, there would be no bubbles. In all seriousness, though, there wouldn’t have been much of a set. It would have been much more low-budget. I think the set really takes you into the world of the play, so it is hard to imagine it without it. The costumes were also so extravagant, and they definitely would not have been during that time. I think one of the only things that would have been the same is maybe the staging and fight choreography. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time at The Globe, besides the standing, and I would totally go back to see another show. (Only if I get to sit)
Theatre in London U of A 