GlobeLink - Globe Education's Online Resource Centre

By India Roberts on March 20, 2008

I have not had the oppotunity to visit the globe theatre yet and i plan to after i finish my GCSE's. I have a passion in my writing and hope to become a playwright and screenwriter in the future. I am interested to know if these new plays are written using elizebethan language and also if i am able to get intouch with the playwritters for inspiration and advice on my career.

By Adam Rawcliffe on October 8, 2007

I saw holding fire with a group of people from East sussex
i thought this was a very powerful play in the way that it shows the classes and how they are seperated.
I loved the way that at the beggining of the play where the cast were walking around the crowed doing performances then it gradually lead into the play which i thought was very important.
From Adam Rawcliffe,14 years old

By Amanda-Jane parker on October 3, 2007

I was totally gripped this year by "In Extremis" and "Holding Fire" they were just as good as the Shakespeare productions. They really brought a time in history alive, the characters were so rich. I became totally involved and concerned about their plight, and this along with all the information that was within the play just made learning about another time, so enjoyable and easy. i wish I'd been able to travel up for "We are The people" as well.

By Alain English on September 5, 2007

"We, The People", as seen at 7.30 on Wednesday 3rd October

Eric Schlosser is a truly compelling writer. I have read his book "Fast Food Nation" and obtained a copy of the play "Americans" which was performed at Arcola Theatre nearly three years ago. Having been impressed by that play's language and power, I thought it well worth my while to stand in the yard and see "We, The People".

As a first-timer seeing a show in the Globe, I thought it was an amazing experience that really put you in amongst it. The period detail was very well captured and the dialogue turned what should have been a boring subject (a debate among white men) into something passionate, inspiring and at times downright funny. I am not familiar with that period of American history, but what was presented was enough for me to discern what was going on.

The accents and characters were occasionally a little indistinct, but because of the quality of the piece and the otherwise superlative performing of the actors, you didn't mind too much. The play's length is monstrous, and if you dislike theatre that's too serious and intellectual you might find this a bit of a drag.

Otherwise I would highly reccommend seeing this play, as you will come away entertained and enlightened!

By Martin Redston on September 3, 2007

I have just arrived home after seeing We the People. Why was this play produced at the Globe? Apart from the rousing revolutionary few minutes at the beginning, the play basically consists of transcripts of the constitutional conference in 1787. It did not have much dramatic content although there was an attempt to ginger it up with a lively song in the ale house and one of the delegates having an affair with an older woman. And what of the women? In this largely male cast the women were nothing but stereotypes grafted on to give a bit of local colour. Speaking of colour, what about the poor old slaves? Not only did they have a bad time in 1787, they do not seem to have a much better time 220 years later in 2007, where they just seem to have serving duties, music and one short scene to keep them employed.

What exactly was the point of this production? I though that maybe it was an allegory about unruly fledgling nations trying to get organised in the face of a bloody uprising? A lesson for the Americans... or possibly a homily for the Europeans about voting on a constitutional treaty, but I don't think so.

Regards

Martin

By David Craine on August 4, 2007

I saw 'Holding Fire' which was very powerful with good use of the entire Theatre especially the groundlings area.

However, I felt that the portrayal of Methodism in the play was very biased and selective. The truth is that whilst many in the Methodist establishment did resist the radical activists and chartists of the time, there were also many working class Methodists involved in the political struggles through groups like the Methodist New Connexion. Indeed the great Chartist camp meetings were modelled on the organisational forms of the Primitive Methodists. EP Thompson's 'Making of the English Working Class' refers to William Thornton a Methodist who opened one of the Chartist camp meetings with a prayer. He prayed that the 'wickedness of the wicked should come to an end'. Feargus O'Conner clapped him on the shoulder and said "Well done Thornton. When we get the Peoples' Charter I will see that you are made Archbishop of York"... The Methodist influence was clear in the character of the camp meetings, chartist-hymns and many aspects of Chartist and wider trades union organisation.

I think the play conspicuously failed to portray this influence. Perhaps the reason for this has more to do with early 21st century middle class views than an accurate portrayal of nineteenth century working class struggle?

By Suze Levitiant on July 26, 2007

I saw In Extremis and I didn't know what to expect, or what it was going to be about and I loved it. It was moving and funny and clever too. Abelard and Heloise were brilliant actors and I remember the music being lovely. I especially liked the foot licking.