On this day...

The Globe Theatre, home to some of Shakespeare's most famous plays, was burnt down in 1613. Owned by the Chamberlain's Men, of whom Shakespeare comprised one of the six monetary partners, the Globe, or at least its timber had previously existed in another form. For the company, due to a dispute over the lease, had dismantled their previous home, The Theatre in 1598, and ferried it beam by beam across the Thames to its new Southwark home.

However, it was destined not to last, and only 15 years later the building was in flames. During a performance of 'Henry VIII', a technical malfunction caused a cannon  to misfire, its sparks catching the thatched roof and reportedly destroying the building in only an hour. Contemporary reports state that all were unharmed, except for one gentlemen, whose burning breeches were put out by a bottle of ale. Hopefully tonight's performance of the same play in the reconstructed Globe will pass without such incident.  

All the world's a stage...

In accordance with the Bard's birthday, the Globe Theatre sees its 'Kings and Rogues' season opener today. 'Macbeth', featuring among others, the recent star of 'A Streetcar Named Desire' Elliot Cowan, will be performed tonight, before it is joined by 'Henry VIII', 'Henry IV part 1' and 'Henry IV part 2' over the coming weeks. The Globe is world-renowned for its outstanding performances, and tickets for this season can still be purchased here

O! For a Muse of fire....

Booking for Henry VIII has opened today at the Globe, as, of course has every other performance in the 'Kings and Rogues' 2010 season. Yet it is this play, one of Shakespeare's lesser known histories, that holds special significance for this most spectacular of theatres. On June 29th 1613, a cannon, fired for means of a special effects during a performance of Henry VIII, set the theatre's thatched roof alight, and caused the entire building to be razed to the ground ‘all in less than two hours, the people having enough to do to save themselves’. The structure was rebuilt a year later with a tiled roof, yet it seemed to have lost its magic, and it was demolished in 1644 for housing. Now, 397 years after the original incident, with thatch reinstated and sprinklers installed, the play will once again take to the stage; hopefully the fireworks will only be in the performance.

On this day...

John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster died in 1399. Perhaps it might at first glance seem an innocuous link to literature, yet the historical figure, and his descendents, play a major role in some of Shakespeare's most successful and popular plays. Father of Henry 'Bolingbroke' IV, and grandsire to Henry V, Gaunt can even caim the illustrious House of Tudor as being directly from his lineage, thus inadvertently inspiring Shakespeare's eponymous works, 'Henry IV part I and II', 'Henry V' and the later 'Henry VIII'. Gaunt himself, appears as a character in 'Richard II'.

The original historical tetralogy was written approximately 200 years after the first events which were portrayed; and indeed the events were vastly important. The overthrow and muder of Richard, the Battle of Shrewsbury and the Battle of Agincourt all feature, and all to some extent, especially 'Henry V', have been seen in a patriotic light since. Introducing the young Prince Hal and jovial Falstaff, the plays are ever popular, and indeed The Globe is staging both parts of Henry IV, in their 2010 season.

All the world's a stage...

The Globe Theatre has announced its 2010 season, beginning on the anniversary of Shakespeare's supposed birth and death - 23rd April. Titled 'Kings and Rogues', it opens with Shakespeare's shortest, but perhaps most popular tragedy 'Macbeth'. Following close behind is three plays in his historical series, the ever popular Henry IV parts I + II, as well as the lesser known Henry VIII. Larger than life character Sir John Falstaff is celebrated in three of the plays; also reappearing in a revival of 'The Merry Wives of Windsor'. Booking for tickets opens on February 15th.