Globe Theatre Reconstruction

Globe Theatre Reconstruction
The Globe Theatre Reconstruction was a massive and difficult project. It was vitally important to build the replica as an authentic reconstruction of the Globe Theatre of William Shakespeare. The black and white timbers of the architecture immediately conveys everyone's perception of the architecture of Tudor & Elizabethan England. The new Globe Theatre creates an imposing picture which can be seen on land or from the River Thames. The thatched roof of the new Globe Theatre was made in traditional style with Norfolk reeds although it was coated with a special fire-protective liquid. The new Globe Theatre is the first thatched roof building that has been allowed in London since the Great Fire of London in 1666.

Sources of information for the New Globe Theatre Reconstruction
Not one inside picture of the old Globe Theater is in existence, however, a picture of the Swan Theatre has survived. In 1596 a Dutch traveller called Johannes de Witt attended a play at the Swan Theatre in London. De Witt made a sketch of the interior of the Swan. A friend of Johannes de Witt called Arend van Buchell copied the sketch and de Witt added this drawing to his diary. His diary is probably the single most important source of information regarding the internal layout of London theatres and has no doubt helped with the Globe Theatre reconstruction. Other important sources of information are the illustrated map views of the period which pictures London when the original Globe Theatre was still in existence. The picture of the map by Claes Van Visscher clearly shows the architecture and location of the old Globe Theatre. Other significant map views are the Hollar, the Agas and the Norden. Existing buildings from the period of the old Globe theatres including the 2 storey octagonal market at Wymondham in Norfolk, England and the Queen's House in the Tower of London were also closely studied. Scholars and architects looked at the information available regarding the building and the structure of the old Globe theatre and plans to build a replica, a reconstruction, of the old Globe theatre were drawn.

The New Globe Theatre Reconstruction
The Structure and Dimensions of the New Globe Theatre are as follows:

New Globe Theatre Design - Structure - Open arena in the style of an amphitheatre

Location of the New Theater - In Southwark, beside the River Thames, opposite St. Paul's Cathedral. Approximately 200 yards from the site of the original Globe theatres

Size of Site - Southwark council provided a 1.2 acre site for the project

Other buildings on site - A museum, restaurant, 300 seat lecture theatre and a Gift Shop

Size of New Theatre - 99 feet in diameter

Shape of New Theater - 20 sided circular-shaped building

Builders - McCurdy and Co., Berkshire, England

New Globe Building materials - Traditional building materials were used for the structure such as timber, nails, stone (flint), plaster and thatched roof. Compromises made to comply with modern building codes and regulations

Structure - The Thatched roof - Design - The thatched roof in the structure is made in traditional style with Norfolk reeds but coated with a special fire-protective liquid. It is the first thatched roof building that has been allowed in London since the Great Fire in 1666

Structure - Outer skin of the New Theatre - The outer skin of the structure is made of plaster made of sand, lime and goat hair (goat hair acts as a binding agent)

Timber - All timbers are made of oak

Excavation works for the New Theater - Excavation of the site began in 1987 The "diaphragm" wall, on the side of the theatre closest to the Thames, was constructed to keep the water out.

Foundations of the New Theatre - Foundations are 6 metres deep

Building duration of the theatre itself - 6 Years

Overall design and structure of the New Theatre - The open air arena, is called the ' pit ' or the ' yard ', has a raised stage at one end and is surrounded by three tiers of roofed galleries with balconies overlooking the back of the stage. The stage projects halfway into the ' pit '

Audience Capacity - Design and Structure - The New Theatre can house up to 1600 people. 700 standing ' groundlings ' in the ' yard ' or the ' pit ' and 900 seated in the galleries

Structure - The Entrance to the theater - Design - Two External staircases in the structure to access the upper galleries. Four main entrances for the ' Yard ' and the Lower Gallery

Structure - Access to the Balconies & Galleries - Design - Two sets of external stairs in the structure , either side if the theatre

For details of the New Globe Theatre Interior please click the following link:

New Globe Theatre Interior

Globe Theatre Reconstruction
Interesting Facts and information about the Globe Theatre Reconstruction. Additional details, facts and information about the Globe Theatre can be accessed via the Globe Theatre Sitemap.