Remains of Shakespeare’s Pre-Globe Theater

Remains of Shakespeare’s Pre-Globe Theater Uncovered in London

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(Image credit: Museum of London Archaeology/AP Photo)

Archaeologists in London have discovered the remains of William Shakespeare’s Curtain Theatre, home to his theater company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, before they moved to the famous Globe Theatre.

The discoveries include the walls that formed the theater’s gallery and the yard within the actual playhouse. Archaeologists from the Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) say the discovery is believed to be one of the best preserved examples of Elizabethan theater in the U.K.
The remains were unearthed in Shoreditch, an area in northeastern London, during construction for a residential and commercial development project run by Plough Yard Developments and the Estate Office Shoreditch.

“This is one of the most significant Shakespearian discoveries of recent years,” a spokesman for Plough Yard Developments said in a statement. “Although the Curtain was known to have been in the area, its exact location was a mystery. The quality of the remains found is remarkable and we are looking forward to working with MOLA, local community and Shakespearian experts to develop plans that will give the public access to the theatre remains as part of a new development.”

The Curtain Theatre was opened in 1577 and was London’s second playhouse, according to MOLA. It was the main venue for Shakespeare’s plays between 1597 and 1599. Archaeologists believe that “Romeo and Juliet” was first staged at the Curtain.
Archaeologists from MOLA will continue to excavate the site and the developers hope to make the discovery open to the public.

“This is a fantastic site which gives us unique insight into early Shakespearian theatres,” Chris Thomas, leader of MOLA’s archaeological team, said in a statement. “We are delighted that Plough Yard Developments plan to preserve the remains in place and open them up to the public as there are few similar sites across the UK.”

羅密歐初演劇院 倫敦挖到

法新社倫敦7日電

June 08, 2012 09:00 AM

英國考古隊在東倫敦的秀爾帝奇區，挖到莎士比亞的帷幕劇院遺址。（路透）

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

英國倫敦博物館（MOL）宣布，考古隊在東倫敦的秀爾帝奇區挖到莎士比亞的帷幕劇院遺址，該劇院是莎士比亞名劇「亨利五世」及「羅密歐與茱麗葉」初演的地方。倫敦博物館發言人說：「帷幕劇院保存的相當完整，比目前出土的其他莎士比亞劇院都還要完美。這是考古學上最後一個待挖掘的莎翁劇院。」考古學家在地下三公尺處，挖到劇院的部分廣場和廊道，後續挖掘作業將於年底和明年初繼續。
帷幕劇院在亨利五世中被稱作木造環狀劇場（Wooden O），該區曾是貧窮但充滿活力的紅燈區。帷幕劇院1577年對外開放，屬於宮內大臣劇團。
莎士比亞與該劇團關係密切，在1599年倫敦環球劇院啟用前，帷幕劇場一直是莎劇的主要場景。史料顯示，帷幕劇院消失於1622年，但史學家相信該劇院仍營運了20年。
皇家莎士比亞公司藝術總監博伊德說：「挖到帷幕劇院的消息令人振奮。若該劇院非木造，我期待觸摸其土石結構，感受莎翁早期作品及歷史的時空衝擊。」