Shakespeare Scene 1

You are late!

I’m sorry, Ashlie. I’ve got great news. I’ve been offered a real acting job.

Well, that’s fantastic. What’s the job?

I’m going to be playing Shakespeare. His plays are amazing.

Oh Stephen, I’m so pleased, that is great news.

I know. I’ve got to go and collect my costume from the Globe Theatre now. It’s just round the corner.

The Globe! That is where Shakespeare’s plays were performed in London. I have always wanted to go to the Globe. I’ll come with you.

This is my big chance. Every actor wants to be in a Shakespeare play.

I can’t believe you got a proper job as an actor.

Can’t believe it? Really?

No, honestly. It’s great. I’m really impressed.

Well, I think theatre people can recognise real talent when they see it.

Real talent, eh?

It’s all about characters. Shakespeare created great characters. Kings, princes, heroes like Hamlet. I’d make a great Hamlet. To be or not to be. That is the question.

To be or not to be – late. Come on Stephen, get a move on!

..

Wow – this is amazing!

I know. Can you imagine life here in Shakespeare’s time?

Yes – no mobile phones, no computers, no Facebook. How would we survive?

Tour Guide: Hello. Welcome to the Globe Theatre. This is where the tour begins.

Great.

Tour Guide: So the original Globe was built not far from here in the late 1500s. Shakespeare was one of the owners of the theatre and his plays were performed there for many years.

So what happened to the first Globe?

Tour Guide: The first Globe Theatre actually burnt down in 1613. It was during a performance of Henry VIII and a stage cannon accidentally set fire to the roof.

Tour Guide: OK, it’s this way to the costume exhibition.

You can really get a sense of what history was like in a place like this. The whole world’s a stage and all men and women are mere players.

Come on, Stephen, you’re not on stage now. We’re going.

Is this really what the actors would have worn?

Tour Guide: Yes, these are copies of traditional costumes as they would have been in Shakespeare’s day.

Can I ask a question? Did they have women in the acting troupe or was it just men?

Tour Guide: No, men and boys acted out all of the female roles so these costumes would all have been worn by men. OK, so moving on.

What’s wrong?

I’m not really into history. I’m going to pick up my costume and I’ll see you later.

OK. See you in a bit.

..

So, Ash, what do you think of this?

It’s fantastic. I love the hat.

I know, it’s a pretty amazing costume. I must be playing a prince or a king or someone really important.

That’s great, Stephen. Maybe you have the lead role?

That’s it – you’re right. The director must have seen my star qualities.

Star qualities, eh?

Yeah. I was born to be a star. I’ve got so much talent!