London Extra | Shakespeare's Globe

For all you lovers of theatre and Shakespeare, here is another travel themed London throwback to when I visited Shakespeare's Globe theatre. It happened on a very sunny Friday, almost exactly a year ago. ou can read about what else I did on that day here. 

When I got to the Globe, I wasted no time, went pretty much straight in and got myself a ticket :) I didn’t even mind spending £ 13,50. Since I didn’t get the HT T-shirt the night before, I decided that I deserved a treat. And I knew visiting The Globe would make me happy :) And I deserved that and owed it to myself :)

I had just about 25 minutes before my tour would begin, so I went in to have a look at the exhibition. I must admit, it took me a while to orient myself in how the building works. I started going through the exhibition. I wasn’t taking the time I would ideally need to look at all the things, because I was worried I might get caught up and miss the start of my tour. At one point I even got a bit panicky and rushed to the meeting point just to make sure it was the wrong call… :D

There was a lot of super interesting things to be seen: costumes, props, musical intstruments, there were technical details abour how the theatre was built… But as I said, I didn’t pay too much attention, thinking I can always come back after the tour. I did however get a chance to examine an exhibit full of props (actual props used in their productions, made with techniques used in 16th century), where I particularly appreciated Hotspur’s armour from Henry IV, Part 1 and the wooden box that carried the tennis balls send by the Dauphin to Henry V :)

You could spend hours just reading this timeline and investigating all the connections between Shakespeare's writing, historical events and London cultural context.

Well well, then our 11:15 tour was announced loud and clear, so I hopped down the stairs… I should have taken a picture of the place. It was below the theatre and it basically copied the shape of the structure above ground. There was a tree and the middle and pillars at the sides… and above this sort of circular… yard… there was the gallery with the exhibition, all the way round. (Dear, oh dear. Descriptions are not my strength, it would seem.) Anyway...

I huddled up with some strangers, eager for some Globe knowledge, and we met our guide.

Her name was Kristin (I hope I’m spelling that right! If not, I most humbly apologize.) and she turned out to be the second best thing about the tour, the first being the theatre itself, obviously ;) She had a big voice and a fabulously eloquent manner of speech, which did suggest that she had told these stories a million times before, yet at the same time she was making all the efforts to make the tour relevant to us, tailor it to this specific group of people in front of her. She was basically a performer working the crowd and she was doing a damn good job!

(On a sidenote: I loved her outfit because it was kind of stern, serious and professional, but at the same time it did express her personality and was very cute and pleasant to look at. 10/10, Miss Kristin, you win :)

What I liked about the tour, except for everything, was that it was a good mix of basic facts and history and then some deeper and more secret information :) Which makes it interesting whether you’re a Shakespeare newbie and you don’t know anything at all... or like me, you have studied a bit of Elizabethan theatre and you know your Bard. Either way, there are interesting and new things to hear. Very well structured, Globe, thank you!

The man on the stage is an actor working on a role. Cool!

I especially loved the way Kristin referred to The Globe as “us”. "We have a production of this, we did that…" :) Generally, her speech was so captivating, compelling and passionate, that at the end of it we pretty much all wanted to go and buy tickets to Titus Andronicus. Just to witness how they make theatre so powerful and intense that at least 2 people (the max being 30) faint during the production ... :o …. Must be so horrifyingly gruesome and bloody! I’m not one to enjoy blood and violence, but I would love to see how they make theatre so magical.

"And as Juliet takes a sip of the poison..."

I realize how cleverly it was all put together :) Still, I loved all the little personal touches, when she told us what her personal favourite things about the place were. You could see that she was living and breathing Shakespeare & The Globe. Everything she said was full of enthusiasm and passion and knowledge.

(I wonder if they only hire super eloquent people to work at the Globe or if it’s the general Shakespeariness of the place that gradually infuses you with words. For I swear to you, anybody who works there, be it the people at the box office, the guide, the cashier in the gift shop… They all speak in an unusually sweet and literary manner.)

When our tour ended and we applauded the amazing Kristin for being such a passionate and knowledgeable guide, we were released to explore the Globe Shop :) Love places that have a little shop! If you know what I mean ;)

Upon the first examination of the area, I had to sadly conclude that I would not be able to purchase one of everything. Subsequently I spent a considerable amount of time strolling back and forth among the shelves and displays, conducting basic mathematic operations in my head and persuading myself not to be a selfish cow and actually buy some presents for other people, not just for myself. The end result was: 3 lovely handprinted bookmarks quoting Taming of the Shrew, 2 badges: a Hamlety one and a “All the world is a stage” (possibly for me, because I tragically lost my DW badge). a ruler (resulting in involuntary bursts of “Let me bee your ruuuuuuler” :D ) with a timeline of Shakespeare’s plays *eeek!*. I just could not leave it there! and… well… then the last thing was … a copy of Henry V. I plead not guilty! I am completely innocent, this is not my fault! I have been Henried by the Hollow Crown.

I was planning to buy a book whilst on my travels, but it was supposed to be something light and easy. Something I am not familiar with and that I can read on a train or a bus. I was not planning on acquiring something quite so special and important such as… … Henry. THE Henry. The one that gives me speeches full of fire and courage… The Henry that is quite so special to me at this particular time.

All happy with my purchases and only ever so slightly guilty, I briefly considered visiting the Globe Café, where my ticket would provide a discount of sorts… Then again, I had already spent a lot of money, plus my  sandwich was more than ready to be devoured.

Perhaps it was because of the hunger that I got slightly confused when I was leaving and I forgot that I had wanted to revisit the exhibition. It was probably for the best anyway. I really did need to sit down, have some rest and eat.

To conclude, I cannot find a bad thing to say about the place. Shakespeare's Globe is a truly unique space of living history. It brings to life a crucial part of English cultural heritage in an exciting manner that can no doubt interest even those who would  never consider themselves Shakespeare lovers. If a tiny part of you is thinking about visiting, I wholeheartedly reccomend you go for it! Have a look at www.shakespearesglobe.com and start planning.

For me, the next step is to (firstly, go back to London and then) go see a play there, to experience a whole different level of theatre magic! Fingers crossed it won't take me another 7 years to go back.

What about you? Have you been to London and visited Globe? What did you think?
Or is it something you would be at all intested in?
Would love to hear your comments :) xx

I'll see you soon with another London Extra ;)

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