The Globe returns to America...
"Since the Globe cannot reconfigure American university theaters to resemble its space here, Mr. Dromgoole said he planned to make small adjustments. The lights will remain on in the theater, to try to mimic the outdoor feel of the Globe, and characters will talk directly to audience members (or look at them as they talk to other characters) in the spirit of 'the democratic shared space and the talk-back quality that was a part of Shakespeare’s original Globe productions,' he said."
The article you've linked says:
ReplyDelete"After a four-year absence from the United States, Shakespeare’s Globe is returning in the fall to stage “Love’s Labour’s Lost” at seven universities and a college-town theater over three months, with the hope of providing an authentically Elizabethan theatrical experience to American audiences."
I am especially intrigued by the notion that the theater company will be "providing an authentically Elizabethan theatrical experience." I would pass on that opportunity. As I understand my theatrical and cultural history, the playhouse experience during Shakespeare's time would have been a noisy, malodorous, rowdy event during which players would work quite hard to command the interest of the audience that would be distracted by vendors, cut-purses, prostitutes, and hecklers. Of course, having several pennies to pay for a "Lord's Room" in the gallery had its fringe benefits (if you were not concerned about the play but wanted the extra privacy of a curtained space of your own which you could share with a working girl). In any event, let us hope Mr. Dromgoole (the fellow with the Dickensian name) eschews the "authentically Elizabethan experience" and offers something a bit more comfortable and pleasant (unless, of course, the "Lord's Rooms" are part of the package).
Dear RT
ReplyDeleteI do hope you decide to go! The Globe is as near to providing an authenticically Elizabethan theatrical experience" as you can get but this refers to the costuming, music, staging and not a modern day audience. The production is on a thrust stage and there is audience interaction but no heckers (unless you choose to!)
The verse speaking is excellent, the archaic lainguage brought alive by a young very vibrant company and it is an experience not to be missed! Do go and have a great time!