Overview
Dust off your petticoat and get your doublets out of the attic, because London's historic Globe Theatre is popping up in Sydney — 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. It originated in Auckland in 2015 and popped up in Melbourne last year, and version will set up shop in Sydney presumably later 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).
Inside the round three-storey venue, no member of the 900-strong 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. In Melbourne there was also a "groundling" ticket — standing room only, directly in front of the stage for only $20 a pop — so we're hoping this will be an option in Sydney too.
Organisers promise that Pop-Up Globe won't host 'dusty' versions of Shakespeare — rather, performances will be more like a party. "It is bawdy, hilarious, brutal and blood-soaked," says founder and artistic director Dr Miles Gregory.
The dates and location for the Sydney season have not yet been revealed, but are set to be announced in the next few weeks. You can sign up for updates here.
Images: Jay Wennington.