Overview
Dust off your petticoat and get your doublets out of the attic, because London's historic Globe Theatre is popping up in Melbourne later this year — well, sort of.
Pop-Up Globe is the world's first, full-scale replica of the historic theatre, which was built by Shakespeare's playing company and housed his greatest works. Melbourne's version will set up shop at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl from September 21 until November 12 this year.
History buffs and Shakespeare enthusiasts alike will have the opportunity to soak in plays As You Like It, Henry V, Othello, Much Ado About Nothing, and a special performance titled Around the Globe in 60 Minutes, which details the theatre's colourful history (it famously burned down in 1613 and was reconstructed a year later). It will be the first time the Pop-Up Globe has travelled outside of Auckland.
With the round, 900-seat, three-storey venue, no member of the audience will ever be more than 15 metres from the stage, and all performances will be conducted without the use of mics, just as it was in 1614. Also keeping with tradition, tickets will offer the "groundling" option – standing room only, directly in front of the stage for only $20 a pop.
Organisers promise that Pop-Up Globe won't host 'dusty' versions of Shakespeare — rather, performances will be more like a party.
Pop-Up Globe will be at Melbourne's Sidney Myer Music Bowl from September 21 till November 21, 2017. For more info and to buy tickets, visit popupglobe.com.au.