the globe theatre and the audience as part of the design
the audience completes the room
the globe theatre brings performance, architecture and audience behaviour into one visible arrangement. the stage is surrounded by people whose position affects sightlines, movement and their relationship to the event. the design lesson is to consider the audience as part of the operating system rather than as a count of available places.
shakespeare's globe describes the original theatre's opening in 1599 and its use of timbers from the earlier theatre. the present reconstructed globe is a later interpretation, not the original building. photographs of it should be identified accordingly when used to discuss the historical arrangement.
position is part of participation
standing in a yard and sitting in a gallery produce different encounters. proximity, visibility and the movement of other people affect attention. the arrangement can make the audience aware of itself as a collective, rather than only aware of the stage.
this is relevant to presentations, exhibitions and product demonstrations. seating is not merely furniture added after the content has been planned. the room determines what can be noticed, how participants can respond and whether someone can leave without disrupting others.
reuse includes an operating context
reusing timbers is a material decision, while establishing a theatre includes finance, location, labour and the available audience. the historical case should not be compressed into a romantic claim that reuse alone created the experience. the arrangement depended on several conditions coming together.
similarly, a contemporary reused space needs a new brief. its earlier proportions may provide valuable possibilities and introduce limitations. preserving a feature because it is historic does not establish that it serves every present activity.
the view from the least favoured place
a central photograph can conceal poor sightlines and difficult access at the edges. evaluate where different people enter, stand or sit and what they can perceive. the best place in the room is not sufficient evidence about the room's quality.
observe transitions as well as the performance. queues, changes of position and departure are part of the designed encounter. a stage arrangement that attracts attention can still produce a difficult overall journey.
a worked design example
a product demonstration uses a large screen behind the presenter. the central seat offers a clear view; side positions lose part of the image, and people at the back cannot inspect the physical sample.
change the route through the demonstration rather than merely enlarge the slide. a second viewing position, handling interval or differently placed display may improve access. each change affects pace and the relationship among participants.
test from several positions and include arrival and departure. the globe comparison encourages attention to the audience's role in the event. a room can support a shared encounter without offering an identical view to everyone, but the relevant differences should be deliberate and intelligible rather than accidental losses of information.
a practical exercise
map a presentation or demonstration space from several participant positions. record what each person can see, hear and do, including entry and exit. prototype a change to the stage, display or seating arrangement. repeat the task from the least favourable position and compare the participation available there. define the audience relationship the room should support before specifying the final layout.
the performance happens on the stage, but its conditions extend into every place from which someone tries to receive it.
a visual study
further reading and crosslinks
connect the case to the organisation of space, movement and the design of an encounter.
f/p industrial design and product development
connect the principle to research, prototyping and validation in a product development process.
practical guide: choosing an architecture and interior design partner
connect this topic to spatial design, interiors and partner selection.
planning a project in this area? discuss it with f/p design.
references
image credits
1. Inside the Globe Theatre – geograph.org.uk – 4967055.jpg
creator or credited source: John H Darch · CC BY-SA 2.0
image source and attribution record
scaled and JPEG encoded for Word; no creative alteration. the image retains the licence listed above.
2. The stage of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Southwark – geograph.org.uk – 267646.jpg
creator or credited source: Toby · CC BY-SA 2.0
image source and attribution record
scaled and JPEG encoded for Word; no creative alteration. the image retains the licence listed above.
3. Shakespeare's Globe and the Tate Modern.jpg
creator or credited source: LondonHistoryatHome · CC BY-SA 4.0
image source and attribution record
scaled and JPEG encoded for Word; no creative alteration. the image retains the licence listed above.
