A Concise History of the Globe Theatres |
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1564 :
- William Shakespeare is born.
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1599 :
- Original Globe playhouse opened. This is the building our new Globe is based upon.
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1613 :
- Original Globe burned down as a result of a cannon fired during a
performance of Henry VIII. A second Globe was built on the same site,
this time in brick and with a tiled roof. Shakespare however wrote no
plays for this new Globe, although many of his existing works were performed
there.
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1616 :
- William Shakespeare dies.
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1642 :
- The second Globe theatre along with many other playhouses is closed by the Puritans.
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1919 :
- Sam Wanamaker is born. A good year indeed.
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1949 :
- Sam Wanamaker arrives in London, and is amazed by the absence of a Globe
theatre.
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1969 :
- Sam Wanamaker starts campagning to rebuild the Globe theatre.
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1970 :
- Sam Wanamaker establishes the "Globe Playhouse Trust" in order to raise
funds for the building of a replica Globe. Southwark council provides a site
for the project.
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1985 :
- The "Friends of
Shakespeare's Globe" is founded.
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1987 :
- The Globe site is cleared in readiness for the new construction works.
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1989 :
- The Globe's Education department officially comes into being.
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1991 :
- Construction work begins on the foundations of the Globe complex and on the Piazza.
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1993 :
- Construction work begins on the theatre itself.
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1993 :
- The first perfroamce at the new Globe is made by the Bremer Shakespeare Company after the (temporary)
stage is dedicated by Sir John Gielgud.
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18th Dec 1993 :
- Sam Wanamaker CBE, dies.
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16th Oct 1995 :
- The National Lottery donates #12.4 million pounds to the Globe Trust.
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21st Aug - 16th Sept 1995 :
- Two Gentlemen of Verona is performed on a
temporary stage for the Globe's Prologue season.
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19th - 20th April 1997 :
- A team of blacksmiths forge the finishing touches to the ornamental gates
faceing onto the River Thames.
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27th May 1997 :
- The first performance of the Preview Season starts at 7:30pm.
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7th June 1997 :
- The Festival of Firsts begins; marking the official opening of the new Globe Theatre.
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