... rebuilt recently but it was originally constructed in the seventeenth century... during the day because they couldn't afford candles to put on the plays at night... far more interaction between the public and the actors. And in fact, the groundlings, which were the cheapest seats just under the open cover. They would shout at the actors and throw things at them if they didn't like the play.
... none of the actors were women because they weren't allowed to be in plays. And also the church was very critical of theatre... very popular and very affordable... the cheapest seats could be afforded by everyone.
So this is where the groundlings stand and to come here it's only five pounds to see a play and they say its one of the best places even though if it rains, you're going to get wet... you are right next to the actor's foot. You could see right up his nose and if he spat down at you,... great participation because the audience can see you, the actors, everybody's involved in the play which makes kind of a difference from the typical West End play... Here, you felt like you were really part of it...
They're pretty authentic even down to the finest details like the original seventeenth century underwear... And nowadays we go and see a play but back then the most important thing was the acoustics...
The stage represents three different elements,... there's a trapdoor to go underneath which represents hell.
... in the seventeenth century it had burned down twice. So to make this thatched roof after the Great Fire of London...
