The Globe Theatre

 London had an early start with theatres, the first one being in 1576, called “Theatre”. This structure that was to give birth to other similar buildings of its kind, was on a twenty-one year lease. And in the success seen in those twenty-one years, many other theatres sprung up throughout London, such as the Rose Theatre and the Globe Theatre. Today I am further exploring the history of the Globe theater and the architectural qualities of it.

            The Globe Theatre was funded by James Burbage, a man who consulted Dr. John Dee. Dr. Dee was a magician and an alchemist, who happened to have an extensive architectural library and was knowledgeable in the subject. The contrast of the two professions is an interesting juxtaposition and says quite a lot about the culture at the time, and the individuals who were multi-lingual in professions. Burbage, with the Coliseum and a Roman amphitheater in mind, built the Globe Theatre. The resemblance to Greek and Roman structures was present so individuals coming for shows would overlook the evaluation of plays and actors with bad reputation, and rather be entranced by the architecture.

            The theatre was supposed to have eight sides, but then later was finalized to have had twenty. The roof was thatched, and this was the reason the first Globe Theatre burned to the ground in 1613, only to be rebuilt with a tiled roof. The original Globe Theatre boasted a classic black and white half timbered style of architecture that is seen in the Staple Inn.