Dear Reader,

 

Today we went to the Globe Theatre, and it was amazing to see the reconstruction of where Shakespeare’s plays were performed. Being there really helped us imagine what theatre was like hundreds of years ago. We also walked along the South Bank of the River Thames toward Borough Market where we enjoyed yummy food. Then, we visited the Tate Modern and the V&A Museum. To finish the day, we watched Richard II starring Jonathan Bailey, which was incredible! There is a big theatre scene in London- we highly suggest seeing a show or two.

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Did you know?

• The Globe Theatre was made mostly of oak wood.

• It doesn't have a roof because...no electricity—all performances used daylight!

• The theatre has great acoustics, and the actors could see the audience just as well as the audience could see them.

• Over 10,000 tapered oak pegs were used to hold the building together.

• In Shakespeare’s day, theatre was meant for everyone, so tickets were affordable, and around 1,000 people could be packed onto the floor.

• The poorest people stood on the floor ("the yard”). It cost one penny, which was about the same price as a loaf of bread.

• These standing audience members were called "groundlings" as well as "stinkards” because they smelled, chewed garlic, and even went to the bathroom where they stood.

• Seating was arranged so the wealthier people, "the Gentry," sat higher up, and lords sat behind the stage so they could be seen.

• The lords were just one step below royalty. The King and Queen never went to plays—the plays came to them instead.

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-Natalie and Peter 

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