Shakespeare's Globe goes under cover
Feature by Lizzie Guilfoyle
THIS year, for the first time in its history, Shakespeare’s Globe theatre will have a roof on its famous open-air amphitheatre – part of the design for its production of Titus Andronicus which runs from May 20 to October 6, 2006.
William Dudley’s design was inspired by the innovative feature of the Colosseum known as the valerium – a cooling system which consisted of a canvas-covered, net-like structure made of ropes, with a hole in the centre.
This roof covered two-thirds of the arena, and sloped down towards the centre to catch the wind and provide a breeze for the audience.
Dudley’s design for a black roof for Titus Andronicus will create a dark and funereal setting for Shakespeare’s earliest and most macabre tragedy, echoing the play’s themes of war and death.
Titus Andronicus, a tale of aggression, love and the lust for violence and revenge – the revenge of Titus for his mutilated daughter, Lavinia – explores the destructiveness of war and its consequences – bloody murder, dismemberment, rape and cannibalism.
In the title role will be Douglas Hodge who recently received a second Olivier nomination for his role as Nathan Detroit in the hit musical Guys and Dolls.
Lucy Bailey will direct.
Titus Andronicus is part of the Globe’s 2006 season, The Edges of Rome, which also includes Shakespeare’s Coriolanus, Antony and Cleopatra and The Comedy of Errors; plus two new works – Simon Bent’s Under the Black Flag and Howard Brenton’s In Extremis.
William Dudley has designed more than 50 productions at the National Theatre, as well as many shows for the Royal Court Theatre, the RSC and the West End, along the way, winning a record seven Olivier Awards.
On Broadway, he designed Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Amadeus and Billy Budd at the Metropolitan Opera. And it was Dudley who pioneered the use of 3D computer-generated images for both The Coast of Utopia (National Theatre) and Hitchcock Blonde (Royal Court).
His first film design, Jane Austen’s Persuasion for BBC Films, won him a BAFTA Award.
For tickets, call 020 7401 9919/020 7850 8590 or visit the Globe’s website.
Shakespeare’s Globe also offers workshops, lectures and evening courses to students of all ages (020 7902 1433); an exhibition which is open daily (admission includes a guided tour of the theatre); and the Globe cafe and restaurant which are open all year round.