illustrated portrait of English playwright and poet William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare

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Student Question

Was the Globe theater used as a proscenium stage?

Quick answer:

The Globe Theatre was not used as a proscenium stage. It featured a "thrust" stage typical of Elizabethan theaters, where the audience surrounded the stage on three sides. Unlike the modern proscenium stage, which has an elevated stage with the audience facing it from the front, the Globe offered a more immersive experience. However, details about its design are based on limited and potentially inaccurate historical records.

Expert Answers

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It is hypothesized that the Globe Theater was a typical Elizabethan theater. "Thrust" stages were used, wherein the audience was located on 3 sides of the stage. the modern proscenium stage has an elevated stage with the audience seated facing the front of the stage. There is very little accurate information about the interior and exterior of the Globe. Some information comes from writings and drawings of people who attended the theater. We don not know for sure how accurate they are.

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