Shakespeare Part II
The South Bank in London has always gotten a bad rap. In Shakespeare’s days, it was the part of the city where the local government relegated the least savory aspects of society. As the theatre arts were considered immoral and impure, the theatre buildings were exiled to the South Bank and its encircling borough of Southwark. Despite its exile, the allure of a Shakespeare (or Marlowe or Jonson, for that matter) performance at the Globe Theatre was so great that the denizens of the City of London came across London Bridge in droves. The South Bank was the entertainment capital of the Elizabethan city of London.
The South Bank remained the undesirable section of London through World War II. In fact, it was bombed to ruin at that time. Once again, the theatre arts revitalized the area and served as the cornerstone of the massive development that continues even today. After the war, the National Theatre built their flagship complex on the South Bank, and it remains today (despite its Brutalist facade) one of the most important buildings south of the city. The South Bank development continued when a young American actor/director came to London and could not believe that the only remnant of Shakespeare’s Globe was a plaque somewhat near the original location of the theatre. Sam Wanamaker made it his life’s work to recreate the theatre using the original building materials and techniques. In fact, it was the first wooden structure built in London since the Great Fire of 1666. Sadly, Wanamaker did not live to see its completion, but the Globe Theatre stands today as an example of the enduring power of theatre and the arts in general. Today the students had a personalized tour and text/acting workshop and had an absolutely wonderful time.
The day started with Hannah leading us on a tube journey to the South Bank where Liz gave us a great tour of the area, eventually landing us at Borough Market. There has been a market on this location since the 1200s, and Shakespeare himself probably ate here often as he worked right next door. The students were taken aback by the fact that in a way, they were sharing lunch with Shakespeare. After lunch, we had our tour of the theatre and workshop with Mark, a Scottish actor who has performed all over the world, including Shakespeare’s Globe. Mark led the students on a clever exploration of Act III, scene v of Romeo and Juliet. The students did me proud as they displayed a great grasp of the material and impressed Mark with their energy and knowledge.
After the workshop, the students toured the exhibition attached to the theatre, and we got a bonus workshop on Elizabethan costuming. Two of the Globe costumers were holding court in the exhibition hall and brought Michelle and Brian up to show how costuming high and low born ladies would work in Shakespeare’s time. It was quite a special bonus.
After our remarkable time at the Globe, we walked up through the City and spent some time at the Museum of London, a beautifully designed walk back through the 2000 year history of the city. We are now enjoying a short stint of free time before dinner and our performance of The Woman in Black. It has been another full and fulfilling day. The students keep asking thoughtful questions and learning so much from everything we are doing. We could not be more proud of them.
We have got another busy day tomorrow with visits to St. Paul’s and the Tower of London.
The South Bank remained the undesirable section of London through World War II. In fact, it was bombed to ruin at that time. Once again, the theatre arts revitalized the area and served as the cornerstone of the massive development that continues even today. After the war, the National Theatre built their flagship complex on the South Bank, and it remains today (despite its Brutalist facade) one of the most important buildings south of the city. The South Bank development continued when a young American actor/director came to London and could not believe that the only remnant of Shakespeare’s Globe was a plaque somewhat near the original location of the theatre. Sam Wanamaker made it his life’s work to recreate the theatre using the original building materials and techniques. In fact, it was the first wooden structure built in London since the Great Fire of 1666. Sadly, Wanamaker did not live to see its completion, but the Globe Theatre stands today as an example of the enduring power of theatre and the arts in general. Today the students had a personalized tour and text/acting workshop and had an absolutely wonderful time.
The day started with Hannah leading us on a tube journey to the South Bank where Liz gave us a great tour of the area, eventually landing us at Borough Market. There has been a market on this location since the 1200s, and Shakespeare himself probably ate here often as he worked right next door. The students were taken aback by the fact that in a way, they were sharing lunch with Shakespeare. After lunch, we had our tour of the theatre and workshop with Mark, a Scottish actor who has performed all over the world, including Shakespeare’s Globe. Mark led the students on a clever exploration of Act III, scene v of Romeo and Juliet. The students did me proud as they displayed a great grasp of the material and impressed Mark with their energy and knowledge.
After the workshop, the students toured the exhibition attached to the theatre, and we got a bonus workshop on Elizabethan costuming. Two of the Globe costumers were holding court in the exhibition hall and brought Michelle and Brian up to show how costuming high and low born ladies would work in Shakespeare’s time. It was quite a special bonus.
After our remarkable time at the Globe, we walked up through the City and spent some time at the Museum of London, a beautifully designed walk back through the 2000 year history of the city. We are now enjoying a short stint of free time before dinner and our performance of The Woman in Black. It has been another full and fulfilling day. The students keep asking thoughtful questions and learning so much from everything we are doing. We could not be more proud of them.
We have got another busy day tomorrow with visits to St. Paul’s and the Tower of London.
Brimmer and May School
69 Middlesex Road
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
As an inclusive private school community, Brimmer welcomes students who will increase the diversity of our school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, or any other characteristic protected from discrimination under state or federal law, in the administration of our educational policies, admissions practices, financial aid decisions, and athletic and other school-administered programs.