Piedmont College Theater group to recreate Globe Theater experience in Demorest
William Shakespeare, referred to by his admirers as “The Bard,” wrote plays for the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, a 16th century theatre troupe, who performed in the iconic Globe Theatre in London. Nobles coming to the Globe sat in three tiers of galleries overlooking the stage, and commoners stood in the pit, the floor area in front of the stage. The most difficult task for playwrights of the period was writing plays that would appeal to both nobles and commoners without losing support from either side. One reason Shakespeare was so popular is that he knew how to vary his writing style in order to appeal to all patrons. By alternating between prose (normal, plain spoken dialogue without rhyme or structure) and verse (poetry), commoners stayed entertained and the nobility appreciated the elevated language and complex character development.
Director’s VisionDirector John Spiegel has decided to turn the clock back to 16th Century London for this production of Much Ado About Nothing. “My goal with this,” says Spiegel, “is to create an immersive experience for the audience while educating our students about Shakespeare’s period theatrical practices.” What does this mean for you, our audience?
As soon as you enter the Swanson Center you will rub elbows with peasants, merchants, and nobleman all clamoring for a seat in our replica of the Swan(son) Theatre, complete with thrust stage and tiring house (a 3-story building behind the stage where actors could change costumes and store sets and props). Both the stage space and the house will remain lit during the entire performance replicating daylight in this outdoor theatre. Our players will shed their contemporary acting style and adopt the accents and physicality of their 16th century counterparts. Every aspect of this production will look and feel much like it did in 1612 when it was first performed, giving you a theatre experience unlike any other.
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