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 | Design and Dimensions - 99 feet in diameter |
Shape of New Theater | Design and Structure - 20 sided circular-shaped building |
Architects - Design | Pentagram - design based on drawing on maps of London showing the first and second Globe by Norden and Hollar |
Existing buildings from the period of the old Globe theatres | The 2 storey octagonal market at Wymondham in Norfolk, England and the Queen's House in the Tower of London |
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 begins 1987 The "diaphragm" wall, on the side of Theatre closest to the Thames, is constructed to keep the water out. |
Foundations of the New Theatre | Design and Structure - Construction work begins on the foundations of the Globe complex and on the Piazza in 1991 . Design and Dimensions - Foundations are 6 metres deep |
Construction work | In 1993 Construction work begins on Theatre itself |
Building duration of Theatre itself | 6 Years |
Inauguration of the New Theater | June 12th - Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by HRH Prince Philip, inaugurates the New Theatre |
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 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 Theater. |
The interior design of Theatre | Interior Design based on the structure of the Old Globe Theatre (see picture of the new Globe stage below clearly showing the ' Herculean ' pillars, the ' Heavens ' & the stage wall called the ' Frons Scenae ' |
Theatre Lighting | Natural lighting only artificial lighting mirrors the effects of sunlight |
Heating / Air Conditioning | Like the old Globe as the design and structure is an open air amphitheatre there is no heating or air conditioning. |
Structure - Stage dimensions | Design - Stage dimensions in the structure are 44 foot wide 25 foot deep |
The height of the stage | A raised stage in the structure - 5 feet and supported by large pillars |
The floor of the Stage | Design and Structure - Made of wood and like the old Globe have trap doors enabling special effects |
The rear of the Stage | A roofed house-like structure supported with the help of two large columns (pillars) |
The ' Herculean ' columns or pillars | The ' Herculean ' oak pillars are painted to look like marble with golden leaves |
The ' Heavens ' - a roof area | The pillars supported a roof called the 'Heavens'. The Heavens are painted with the sun, moon and the zodiac |
The ' Heavens ' | The ' Heavens ' serve to create an area hidden from the audience. A selection of ropes & rigging allow for special effects |
The stage wall called the ' Frons Scenae ' taken from Latin | Design and Structure - Behind the pillars is the stage wall called the ' Frons Scenae ' (taken from the name given by Imperial Rome to the stage walls of their amphitheatres). A doorway to the left and right in the structure and a curtained central doorway from which the actors make their entrances. Above the door area is a highly decorative screen |
Statues, or relief's above the stage | Represent Comedy and Tragedy |
The ' Tiring House ' | The stage wall contains two side doors and a central door which leads to a small structure, back stage, called the ' Tiring House '. The actors use this area to change their attire |
The ' yard ' - Dimensions | Dimensions - The stage projects halfway into the ' yard ' which is 80 feet in diameter. |
Seats in the galleries - Three levels | Design and Structure - The seats in each of the three levels of galleries are tiered with three rows of seats in the structure , increasing in size towards the back, following the shape of the building. The galleries are covered affording shelter from the elements. |