James Burbage and the Globe Theatre

James Burbage and The Globe Theatre

The Puritans

Citizens Needed More

The Puritans Vs. The Theatre

James Burbage

London was growing by the minute. People came overseas in hopes to live the London life. The people craved excitement in the Elizabethan Era. The needed something enticing and worthwhile. They didn't have TV or internet like we do at this time, but they needed something. Many crossed the Thames River to go to Bankside. Why? Because Bankside offered entertainment! Bankside was known to offer more ourageous forms of entertainment such as brothels, animal-baiting pits, and other forms of entertainment. The introduction of the Globe Theatre promised citizens alluring plays with enough conflict to keep the audience's

attention.

The Puritans were a protestant branch of Catholicism. A broader definition of them is "those who wish to change the Church of England from it's Roman Catholic looks and traditions to something more plain and reformed. The Puritans were against the Theatre because a majority of people who visited them were immoral theives and dangerous people.. Actuallty, along with plays and drama, thatre also held events such as bear-baiting and gambling.

Giles Allen is a Puritan who owned the land that the Globe Theatre was built upon. Giles refused to extend the Theatre's lease beyond 1597. After Gile's final refusal in December 1598, the Burbages decided that 5 members of the company (John Heminge, William Kemp, Augustine Phillips, Thomas Pope, and William Shakespeare) become part owners of the Theatre and each buy a 10% share. Three days after Christmas, with the help of Peter Street (master carpenter) and 10 other men, the Theatre was moved to the opposite side of the Thames River.

James Burbage was known as Elizabethan Entrepreneur and carpenter. He later began to manage and lead the acting troupe Leicester's Men. Though not very endowed in acting ability, James was a part-time bulder and was willing to invest his time and money into a permanant theatre for Leicester's Men. After building the Globe Theatre with his brother-in-law John Brayne, James brought the Leiceister's men (Which included William Shakespeare) to the theatre to act and perform for the public. James Burbage was also one of the first men to own a theatre license. He presumably died in Februray 1597. His sons, Richard and Cuthburt Burbage, took over his responsibilities.

The Theatre Today

The Theatre

The Globe Theatre burned down in 1612 from their thatch rooftop catching flame from one of the cannons. However, it was rebuilt with better architecture than before. The Globe Theatre has premiered some of the most historical and loved shakespearian plays in the world such as The Comedy Errors, Love's Labour's Lost, The Merchant of Venice, Romeo and Juliet, and plenty more. Thespians come from all over the world to witness The Globe Theatre in person so not only is the Globe Theatre a vital piece of theartical history but also a tourist spot that will provide quality entertainment.

The Theatre (modernly known as "The Globe Theatre") is known as one of the first theatres created in the Elizabethan Era. It was built in 1576 by, as you should know from my previous section, James Burbage and John Brayne. Along with James, a man by the name of Dr. Dee helped them construct the Theatre with his brilliant architectural skills. Dr. Dee was known as the local magician and alchemist but James relied on his with his knowledge of construction and architecture. Together, these men made a legendary theatre the is internationally known as one of the best theatres in mankind.