The Globe

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In fair Verona where we lay our scene...

… or in this case, the Globe on Bankside. Before previewing at the Globe, we had our dress rehearsal at an all-girls school in Surrey. The school was beautiful but during that performance the heavens opened and we got absolutely drenched. So, we were a little bit sniffly when we turned up for the Globe on the Sunday morning.

I seem to remember from my drama school days that the Globe is made entirely out of wood, pegs and fasteners and everything, which is nothing but a boon for the actor; we discovered it was warm, rich and inviting, and there’s a real resonance to everyone’s voices (despite the helicopters and planes above). Having said that, it’s fairly terrifying, but we had some fun and invaded every nook and cranny of the theatre; there is a power and a pleasure in the space if you can harness it.

In performance, the audience was incredible; they turn up like they’re ready for a battle and it finishes like a rock concert. It’s one of the most amazing experiences an actor can have. There’s something lovely about preparing to play Paris with my ukulele outside in the courtyard of the Globe theatre; watching people meander up and down the South Bank (and giving me slightly strange looks), and then bursting in through the doors and singing my song with a ukulele. What was less pleasant was coming off as Tybalt having slain Mercutio and getting dirty looks from people as I pushed and prodded past them (until they realised I was part of the play and was in fact carrying a rather large knife). My uncle got a little bit disappointed that I didn’t say hello to him in the yard; I think he figured I was in character, which is considerate of him.

We decided not to use the van in the Globe space because the van represents the Globe on tour; the double doors, the balcony; so we didn’t need the van to be craned in and I think it worked really well. It wasn’t a show made for the Globe but it certainly lived and breathed wonderfully well in the space. The Globe performance was incredible. It’s certainly the pinnacle of the tour as of yet, but not the point of the tour, obviously. We have a lot to do yet.

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