Staging Shakespeare at the New Globe

What have we learned from the first experiments at the reconstructed Globe on Bankside? Written by the Leverhulme scholar appointed to study actor use of the space, this is the first analytical account of the discoveries that have been made in its important first years. Kiernan relates her findings to what we know of original staging practices in Shakespeare's time to show how actors, directors and playgoers have responded to the demands of 'historical' constraints - and unexpected...
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What have we learned from the first experiments at the reconstructed Globe on Bankside? Written by the Leverhulme scholar appointed to study actor use of the space, this is the first analytical account of the discoveries that have been made in its important first years. Kiernan relates her findings to what we know of original staging practices in Shakespeare's time to show how actors, directors and playgoers have responded to the demands of 'historical' constraints - and unexpected freedoms - to offer valuable insights into the dynamics of Elizabethan theatre.
Part I discusses the impact of the physical conditions of the space on performance, how the relationship between actor and audience sharing the same continuous light has meant a transformation in the role played by audiences, and a reappraisal of our understanding of the workings of dramatic illusion. The second part is a 'chronicle', based on a day-by-day record of the preparation and performances of the first full-scale production to follow 'authentic' staging practices, Henry V. Part III consists of a selection of interviews with actors and directors involved in the first seasons.