Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Facts

Interested in Globe Theatre facts? Then read on…

The Globe Theatre in London has been linked with Shakespeare through 400 years and three buildings. On this page we’ve picked out the top, verified  Globe Theatre facts.

Elsewhere we give an overview of life at The Globe Theatre in Shakespeare’s time, and paint a picture of the entertainment available at The Globe… but if you’re after interesting facts about Shakespeare’s Globe Theater, either watch this video, or scroll down to read the rest of the post (or do both!).

Globe Theatre Fact 1

The Globe Theatre was built between 1597 and 1599 in Southwark on the south bank of London’s River Thames, funded by Richard Burbage and built by carpenter Peter Smith and his workers. Read more about building the old Globe Theatre.

Globe Theatre Fact 2

The timber for The Globe Theatre was actually reused wood from “The Theatre” – an earlier theatre owned by Richard Burbage’s father.

Globe Theatre Fact 3

The Globe was built as a large, round, open-air theatre. There was a roof around the circumference which covered the seating area, leaving the theatre looking like a doughnut from above.

Globe Theatre Fact 4

The architectural style of The Globe was similar to the Colosseum in Rome, but on a smaller scale – other Elizabethan theatres also followed this style of architecture which were called amphitheaters.

Globe Theatre Fact 5

The Globe had three stories of seating and was able to hold up to 3,000 spectators in its’ 100-foot diameter.

Globe Theatre Fact 6

At the base of the stage was an area called “the pit” which held “the groundlings” – people who paid just a penny to stand and watch a performance.

Globe Theatre Fact 7

At the peak of summertime, the groundlings were also referred to as ‘ stinkards’… for reasons that may well be obvious!

Globe Theatre Fact 8

Part of the stage was called the “apron stage” – a rectangular platform that thrust out amongst the audience into the pit.

The original Globe Theatre, complete with stage “apron”

Globe Theatre Fact 9

William Shakespeare was a shareholder who owned 12.5% of The Globe Theatre. As a young writer, Shakespeare bought shares in the theatre and benefited financially as his popularity grew.

Globe Theatre Fact 10

Colour coded flags were used outside the theatre to advertise the type of play to be performed – a red flag for a history play, white for a comedy play and black for a tragedy play.

Globe Theatre Fact 11

A crest above the main entrance to The Globe Theatre was inscribed with motto “Totus mundus agit histrionem” – Latin for “The whole world is a playhouse”.

Globe Theatre Fact 12

At the start of each play after collecting money from the audience the admission collectors took boxes full of money to a room backstage – the box office.

Globe Theatre Fact 13

A trumpet was sounded to announce to people that the play was about to begin at the Globe Theatre in order for people to take their final places.

Globe Theatre Fact 14

There were no actresses performing at The Globe Theatre – or any other theatre at that time. Female roles were played by young boys as theatre stages were considered too risque a place for ladies.

Globe Theatre Fact 15

Outbreaks of the Bubonic Plague were so serious in London that the Globe Theatre was forced to close in 1603 and 1608 to restrict its’ spread.

Globe Theatre Fact 16

The Globe Theatre burnt down in 1613 when a special effect on stage went wrong. A cannon used for a performance of Henry VIII set light to the thatched roof and the fire quickly spread, reportedly taking less than two hours to burn down completely.

Globe Theatre Fact 17

According to one of the few surviving documents of the event, no one was hurt when The Globe Theatre burned down – except for a man whose burning trousers were put out with a bottle of beer!

Globe Theatre Fact 18

After burning down in 1613 The Globe Theatre was rebuilt on the same spot in 1614.

Globe Theatre Fact 19

The Puritans brought an end to The Globe Theatre in 1642 with an order suppressing all stage plays. In 1644 The Globe Theatre was turned into tenement housing, ending 85 years of turbulent history.

Globe Theatre Fact 20

The Globe was generally considered to be a circular building, however, when a small part of the theatre’s foundations were uncovered in the late 1980’s it seems that the building was actually a polygon of 20 sides.

Globe Theatre Fact 21

In 1997 a third version and faithful reconstruction of  The Globe Theatre was built as “Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre”, close to the original site in Southwark.

Globe Theatre Fact 22

This new Globe Theatre was built using 1,000 oak trees from English forests and 6,000 bundles of reeds from Norfolk for the thatched roof.

The exterior of The Globe Theatre today

What do you think of these Globe Theatre facts? Any interesting facts we’re missing (that you can’t find on our Shakespeare facts page!)? Join in using the comments section below.