Sunday, May 10, 2015

Shakespeare Globe Theatre in London!

Hello everyone! Hope everyone is having an awesome weekend. My husband and I had an amazing trip to London last week, but it was also a bit exhausting. So we are taking it easy this weekend.

One of my favorite things we did was visit the Shakespeare Globe Theatre. Of course it was just a replica since the original was demolished by the Puritans in the 1600's. Damn Puritans!

We did go to the original site of the Shakespeare Globe, where they have a plaque to commemorate it.











They did an awesome job of replicating the theatre. There was an open roof and a very minimalistic stage.
When buying the tickets, you could choose the standing seats in the yard or sitting in the theatre. We chose to buy seats. There were wooden benches so renting cushions was vital. Even with the cushions though, it was tough. It did start to rain a bit during the performance though, which made me happy I was in the seats. We had a roof over our section and were pretty well protected. I didn't even know it was raining until I saw the people in the yard pull up their ponchos. The people standing were pretty dedicated fans. Not only did they stand for the entire duration of the play (three hours), but they dealt with the rain. I'm sorry, I do love Shakespeare but I also like to sit and I like to be dry.
We were also able to see Romeo and Juliet at the Shakespeare Globe. Seeing a play at the Globe has been on my bucket list for the longest time. I'll be honest: Romeo and Juliet is not one of my favorite Shakespeare plays. I think I liked it more when I was in high school and actually believed in things like love at first sight and soul mates.

Nevertheless, the actors were amazing and it was so easy to get caught up in the emotions of it all. The play was so bare bones. There were so special props or sets. It was a very small traveling group of actors. A couple of actors even played more than one role. They all did such an amazing job. My husband managed to sneak some pictures of the play. They allowed you to take pictures of the theatre before the show and during Intermission, but not during the plays.

The picture on the left is from the balcony scene.


















The one on the right is the scene where Mercutio is killed. I absolutely loved the actor of Mercutio. I know that Romeo is supposed to be the star, but every time he was on stage I was drawn to him. His comedic timing and his delivery were impeccable.

Seeing a Shakespeare play like this was so magical. There are no words to describe how amazing the experience was. This is how Shakespeare was meant to be seen!










Have you ever been to a Shakespeare play? How was your week?

12 comments :

  1. Absolutely amazing! Europe is one place where I think I will find a considerable time in my retirement. The place is just overflowing with literary goodness and places to visit. I'm jealous! :)

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    1. Thanks so much Joy. Europe really is amazing . . . all of it!

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  2. Wow! I've never been to The Globe (shame on me!), but I can imagine and your pictures help. Amazing thing to see Romeo and Juliet there :) Happy for ya!

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  3. Oh I LOOOOVE your pictures! I have been to the outside of the Globe Theater, and inside the shop part, but not to see an actual play, I REALLY wish I had now though! But i do hope to get back to London, one day! I have seen a few plays, a local college used to put them on, and I LOVED A Midsummer Night's Dream. That one is always my favorite :)

    Shannon @ It Starts At Midnight

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    1. Thanks Shannon. A Midsummer Night's Dream is my favorite play too! I was telling my husband that I wish that one had been playing. But Romeo and Juliet was still pretty amazing.

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  4. Oooo, love your pictures!! Looks like you had a blast!!

    Yes, I've seen a few Shakespeare play performed live... The 1st time was in junior high school, where a group of us saw 12th Night.

    Then in 2011, my hubby and I visited the Oregon Shakespeare Festival in Ashland, Oregon and saw Julius Caesar and Measure For Measure. It was fun seeing a woman play Julius Caesar and a modern rendition of Measure For Measure, which had a mariachi playing music in the play.

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    1. Thanks so much! Seeing a woman play Julius Ceasar would be a trip, that is for sure. :)

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  5. That's absolutely lovely, what a great bookish travel!

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