All the World’s a Stage

Let’s get immersive. Let’s get up close and personal. Let’s be awestruck together. Let’s experience Shakespeare the way it was intended — from the Groundlings section of Shakespeare’s Globe in London. This fall, I had the privilege of going on the Theatre Academy London study abroad program, during which I had the incredible opportunity to view Shakespeare in its most authentic form — as a groundling. A “groundling” in Shakespeare’s time referred to someone who was not nobility or high status. These people would pay just a penny to stand in the pit of the Globe Theatre to view performances while those of higher class would sit in galleries. Even though groundlings were peasants, their experience at the theater was like no other. As they did then and still do now, Shakespeare performances in this place were entirely interactive. The audience became a scene partner, an active body to which the actor’s played. Sometimes, audience members would be brought on stage or directly addressed. The actors truly aim to connect with you, and being a groundling is where the fun happens. Everything about watching theater in this place was unlike anything I had ever seen before; it was totally and utterly fascinating. I saw a show at Shakespeare’s Globe, and so should you!

Walking into the Globe Theatre for the first time was like stepping back in time. Everything from the smell, to the lighting, to the general aura of the space would make any lover of the arts do a double take. Being in that space was like an ascension; it was as if I had traveled beyond reality and had become encapsulated by the energy. As a groundling, I knew I would be standing for the entire three-hour performance, so it was essential that I made it to the front to lean on the stage. That’s right, lean on the stage. If you get to the show early enough, you can find a space around the stage and prop yourself against it, even putting your hands on the stage itself. But, do beware…a spot on the stage wall is a metaphoric “splash” zone, meaning that if you don’t want direct eye contact, a silly hat put on you, a light feather tap to the head or a glob of spit in your eye, maybe opt for the back wall of the floor section instead. Being that close to actors as they cry real tears and yell themselves blue in the face is truly mesmerizing. It's enough to ignite or re-spark a love of acting in anyone who has ever considered it as a career.

The Globe today, while holding the integrity of the space by using the audience as an entity to play with, has modernized the way Shakespeare is seen. Oftentimes at the Globe, a show will use the original text but set it in modern settings or use modern props. There are elements of absurdism, alienation and certain stylistic choices that are made with each show that are specifically for an audience with modern eyes. But, that’s the beauty of the Globe; it’s always transforming, always advancing and always finding new ways to creatively reimagine the old texts.

With blow up gummy bear chairs, the cast of “Henry VIII” wearing Jordans instead of leather dress shoes and an impromptu, flower-crown-sporting interpretive dance number in “The Tempest,” seeing a show at the Globe is a theater-going experience that cannot be replicated elsewhere. If you’re in London on a study abroad program or are just headed there for a vacay, spend an afternoon at the Globe and see Shakespeare in its truest form. Groundlings tickets are only five pounds!

If you see a show at the Globe, let us know @theedgemag!