The Globe Theatre

Subject: Famous Buildings
Question: Recent evidence suggests that, despite its name, this 1599 building was a 20-sided icosagon

The above was the final Jeopardy question on the popular TV game show televised on December 19, 2011.   The answer was the Globe Theatre. 

The original Globe Theatre was built in 1599 on the Southbank of the River Thames in Southwark, London.  It was built by a master carpenter and his workers using timbers and other material from another old theatre.  In six months’ time, the Globe Theatre was completed and opened for performances.   

Unfortunately, the theatre caught fire on June 29, 1613 during a performance of Henry the Eighth.  A new Globe Theatre was quickly re-built in the following year.  Then in 1644, the Globe Theatre was closed down and destroyed by the Puritans who had strict religious views and disapproved social activities within England.

A modern reconstruction of the Globe Theatre, called “Shakespeare’s Globe”, was opened in 1997 approximately 750 feet from the site of the original theatre.  The reconstruction of the new theatre was meticulously researched so that it would be a faithful replica of the original building.

In December 1997, Department 56 introduced “The Old Globe Theatre” as the second piece of the Historical Landmark Series.  Due to its unique shape and unusual design (the center of the piece is open), the Old Globe Theatre was a popular building highly coveted by Department 56 village collectors.