Henrik and Brenda are Friends of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre on Bankside, the painfully exacted reconstruction of a functioning Tudor-Stewart playhouse. They also put on good plays.Because they are Friends (you know, donors) they get access to special events, and tours. Today we went on the Heaven to Hell tour. Most tours are limited to the house (the seats and the big space in front of the stage, occupied by the groundlings) and the public facilities. We got a top-to-bottom view of the backstage - from the so-called Heavens to Hell.
The Heavens are above the playing area. It is used for, among other things, storage.
Some items are more interesting than others.
A number of hand-crafted tapestries hang from the ceiling.
Our guide threw open the door at the front of the Heavens (we were not allowed any closer) from where, presumably, the cannons were fired during a performance of Henry VIII which, in 1613, burned down the original Globe.
The balcony above the stage is called the Musician's Room, because during most performances, that's where the musicians are. And for some unknown reason, there are a large pair of underpants hanging over the door backstage.
A close-up of the Heavens trap. It's kind of narrow, and the idea of being lowered through it makes me very queasy.
View of the pit from the Musician's Room. Ha ha, they don't get the H2H tour. Ha ha ha ha ha.
Welcome to the stage of the Globe.
Welcome to Hell. There's actually not much there, just a very low ceiling (five feet?) and the trapdoor.
The costume shop. I would look awesome in any of these.
All handmade, not a hook or zipper on them. All laces, all the time.
But first I need some shoes.
There are an awful lot of shoes.
Mark Rylance wore this number in Richard II.
These hats are talkin'.
Meanwhile, outside they are generating excitement for the summer season, which begins in May, by hosting events called Inside Outside, which is to say, things that normally happen inside are going on outside, right on the riverfront. Scenes are performed, music is played, crowds gather and disperse.
I remember visiting Southwark Bank in late 1990, to see the sites of Shakspeare's London. There wasn't much there. Just gray office buildings, some commemorative plaques, and a big hole where Shakespeare's Globe was supposedly, eventually, going to be. Now there's not only the Globe but plenty of restaurants and shops, museums and lots and lots of walking traffic. It's lovely, even in March. And we beat the rain.
Cousins.
5 comments:
I scrolled through and thought, "Interesting." Then I saw the final picture and was shocked to see how big Orson is! I know it's been almost a year, but still...he's supposed to be a BABY!
It looks like you're having a great time...color me jealous.
Unfortunately for my dear, dear wife, I make kids with big, big heads.
David,
Looks like an amazing family adventure. Tell Zelda, Mitchell says Hello. Mitchell tends to worry about her because A) she does not seem passionate enough about trains and B) he doesn't think she has a penis. Never the less he still would like to have a playdate with her one day soon. His reactions noted here after seeing her picture on the computer. I am sorry to post this on your "vaction" entry, but I want to make sure this does not get overlooked.
My friend Berni was “horrified and embarrassed” (her words) after reading the bolg entry and comments below. She is an amazing woman very wounded by the loss of her son Liam in May of 2000, she really works her grief with amazing dignity and has reached out to countless others in the process. “THE” question was asked rhetorically out of her feelings of frustration about being misunderstood as she continues her grief journey. I feel from what I read here, that you understood this from the beginning. I believe she is feeling a little vilified by your readers – some perhaps assuming that she asked an ignorant, insenitive question. I know you have already responded that is was a “conversation starter” and to me it sounds like a good one indeed. If you could possibly write anything here to diminish Berni’s awkwardness and personally invite her into the conversation here, I as her protective friend would be grateful. She probably was the first one to make a reservation for the show and personally organized the SANDS outing. I think many of us in this process of “incorporation” feel hopeless and misunderstood in dealing with the general public at times, I think when we trample, knowingly or not on other loss people’s feelings, we need to straighten out these issues right away and support each other as best we can at all times.
Kristen F.
Oh man, that looks like a fabulous tour. Each time I've been to London I've gotten so sick I haven't made it there. Made it to Stratford, but never such an intimate close-up look.
Ouch. See today's post.
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