Midsummer, The Globe

5/17/2023

The Golden Hinde

The Golden Hinde was the ship that Sir Francis Drake sailed to circumnavigated the world. Like the Globe Theatre, the original has been gone for centuries. It took another American, Art Blum from San Francisco, to commision a replica ship. It took 3 years of research to make sure that it would be historically accurate using only original materials and methods to do so. The video below is from 1973 and captures the whole process. This year was the ship's 50th anniversary. Unfortunately, the video owners won't let anyone share or embed their video, so you have to click on the link to watch it directly on YouTube. It's just 20 minutes long, but it's well worth it.

This video was made during the Pandemic and features an interview with Anthony Lewis, an expert on the history of the actual Golden Hinde.

It is a surprisingly small ship compared to what I was expecting. It is amazing to me that this craft actually did sail around the world in 1974, just like the original Hinde did in 1577.

The CLink Prison

From the website:
The Clink Prison dates back to 1144 making it one of England’s oldest and most notorious prisons. Positioned in the heart of modern-day Southwark and built on the original site, The Clink Prison Museum presents the scandalous truth of Old Bankside through a hands-on educational experience. There are opportunities to view archaeological artefacts, experience the sights, sounds and smells of the prison, handle torture devices, and to view and hear all about the tales of torment and many misfortunes of the inmates of the infamous Clink Prison. Spanning for over 600 years, it witnessed a remarkable amount of social and political change in England, and thus housed a multitude of sinners throughout its existence, including debtors, heretics, drunkards, harlots, and later religious adversaries. Positioned in the heart of modern day Southwark, the prison was situated in an area that has long been associated with more raucous, vivacious and unruly behaviour; it was the louder, ruder and wickeder neighbour to The City, and a place where Londoners sought entertainment.

The Clink

The TAte Modern

Last time we were here, we only visited the Tate because we were in urgent need of a toilet, and we didn't have time to stick around and see anything. So this time, I made sure that we would do that.

From the website:
Entry to the gallery is free – there’s no need to book. Booking a ticket is recommended for exhibitions but some tickets may be available at the door. Members enjoy unlimited free entry to exhibitions with no need to book. Yayoi Kusama: Infinity Mirror Rooms, however, still requires a free Members ticket, given the show’s special and intimate scale.
Tate Modern has over a hundred years of art, from modernism in the early 1900s, to exciting works created today. This includes paintings, sculptures, and more made by artists all over the world such as Pablo Picasso, Emily Kame Kngwarreye, and Jenny Holzer.
Experience Tate’s iconic Turbine Hall. In the Natalie Bell Building you can see how artists create new ideas. In the Blavatnik Building you can explore the underground Tanks, dedicated to performances, installations and video works.

The Tate Modern

Globe Theatre Tour

The Globe Theatre Tour

We toured the Globe last time as well, but the exhibition has changed since then. To see what it looked like last time, you can read all about it here.

From the website:
In our brand-new, walk-through exhibition space, you’ll be immersed in the sights, sounds, and secrets of Shakespeare’s London, travelling through over 400 years of fascinating history. You’ll be able to relive some of our most iconic shows with seasonally curated displays, and even have the chance to get ready for the stage yourself with interactive costumes and props.
Venture into the Globe Theatre itself where our expert Guides bring to life the thrilling story of our iconic wooden ‘O’. Hear how the original 1599 theatre survived the plague, fire and political oppression and rose again in the 1990s as part of one man’s radical vision. Wonder at its craftsmanship and imagine how thousands of Londoners once packed in to see the greatest actors of the day.
All tours are in English and suitable for all ages. Information sheets are available in a number of languages. We are an open-air theatre and tours go ahead in all conditions so dress for the weather.