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Hello! My name is Jen Hakala. I actually graduated from St. Scholastica with a BA in Mathematics the day before leaving for our trip to London. I'm interested in applied mathematics and hope to continue my studies by pursuing a Master's degree in Architecture. Ironically, the tour we had this morning was rather conducive to architecture.We went to tour and workshop at the Globe Theatre, a reconstruction of the original theatre that housed Shakespeare's plays. What shocked me most about this building was that it has only been standing since 1997. I can't believe that for so many years, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre did not exist in the city where he wrote his plays! In 1949 when American actor Sam Wanamaker came to London looking for the Globe, he was surprised to find it no longer stood! Inspired by Sam's determination to reinvent the structure, the Globe was rebuilt using the same methods and materials as the first. (Or as close as possible. Remains of the old structure that were discovered by archeologists taught us how this was done.)
The theatre has a few characteristics that differ from theatres we're used to. Most recognizably, there is no ceiling. This is done purposefully to let the light in. In Elizabethan times (Shakespeare's day. This refers to Queen Elizabeth I.) there was obviously no electricity so lights came from torches and fire. Since the theatre was built of wood and straw and tons of lights were expensive, lighting it with fire wasn't an option. The solution was to light the stage naturally, hence no ceiling.
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For lunch we ate at Porky Pig's BBQ, where Megan B. became the first female to complete their Man vs. Meat ribs challenge.
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I do have to say the view from the Millennium Bridge of St. Paul's Cathedral was absolutely breathtaking!
ReplyDeleteThe Globe theater also has two pillars standing tall on either side of the stage. With the seating in n this arena, and the pillars, there is no place on the stage the actors can stand where every person in the audience will be able to see them. As we learned during our workshop and tour, the actors are therefore very mindful of their movements, positioning, and overall use of the entire stage during performances to ensure the audience can be as involved and engaged as possible throughout every minute of each performance. Also with the lighting from the theater being all natural with an open roof, the actors are also able to see every member of the audience during a show, which is not the case in the traditional theater setup we have become accustomed to. I appreciate the hard work of any actors, but am looking forward to seeing the Merchant of Venice and watching these performers capture the even tougher challenge of the Globe theater during this show.
The Globe Theatre was so interesting. The open ceiling was a great fix for letting in natural light, but it manesthesia atmosphere of the theater so different since it eliminates any way of turning down the lights over the crowd. The history behind the Globe was also intriguing. It had originally been a theater under another name that was dismantled, moved across the Thames, and was renamed. The originaLondon Globe burned down during a performance after the thatched roof caught fire. No one was injured, but it was rebuilt with a tile roof instead of a thatched straw roof. This second Globe was later torndown, and the current Globe was built in the style of the original, about 250 meters from where the original is believed to have beenlocated.
ReplyDeleteThe Globe Theatre was so interesting. The open ceiling was a great fix for letting in natural light, but it manesthesia atmosphere of the theater so different since it eliminates any way of turning down the lights over the crowd. The history behind the Globe was also intriguing. It had originally been a theater under another name that was dismantled, moved across the Thames, and was renamed. The originaLondon Globe burned down during a performance after the thatched roof caught fire. No one was injured, but it was rebuilt with a tile roof instead of a thatched straw roof. This second Globe was later torndown, and the current Globe was built in the style of the original, about 250 meters from where the original is believed to have beenlocated.
ReplyDelete