The globe
The globe doesn’t actually get its name from its circular
shape, as all theatres at the time were circular too. It was called ‘The Globe
Theatre’ because it told tales from around the globe. It has an open roof
because sunlight at the time was the only large scale form of light. This also
impacted on the performance aspect as well as the aesthetics, as unlike today
the audience were also in the light. Also contrasting to theatre at present was
the use of set and scenery. In Shakespeare’s scripts much of the time and
places are written, it was difficult to show them any other way. For example
where we may change the set to signify we are in a forest, the actor would
simply say something like ‘Alas, a forest!’. There is also the use of trap
doors; the one underground representing hell or lower classes and the one in
the ceiling representing heaven. Aspects of performance in Shakespeare’s plays
had definite meaning so they didn’t need explaining. For example if you saw
someone coming down from the ceiling you would know they are coming from heaven
unlike today where it could just be used
as it’s a good bit of scenery or they could be flying etc.
As you like it
As you like it is a pastoral comedy and it was either
written in 1599 or early 1600 but the exact date isn’t known. It wasn’t published
until 1623 though but the first performance is believed to be a lot earlier
than that, possibly being in 1603 but that is very uncertain. The story of As You Like It centres around Rosalind
and Orlando who want to be together throughout the duration of the play but
because Rosalind has been banished by the new duke she chooses to dress as a
boy so she can stay in the forest with her cousin Celia. She then meets Orlando
as a boy and doesn’t want to reveal her true identity so Orlando believes she
is just a male friend. Alongside this is the story of Silvius and Phoebe.
Silvius is in love with phoebe but when phoebe sees Rosalind dressed as boy she
is determined to be with him/her not Silvius. Touchstone and Audrey also share
a story throughout, touchstone taking the clown character. Jacques is the melancholy
character who ironically complains about the forest all the time but then is
the only one that chooses to stay in the forest at the end. In the end a
goddess comes down and marries them all;
Orlando and Rosalind
Touchstone and Audrey
Phoebe and Silvius
And Celia and Orlandos brother, The Dukes son.
In shakespeares time this would have been performed with
little set. The pillars in the middle (in The Globe Theatre) would have been
used as trees and in this particular performance they may have used moss banks
as minimal set.
