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All the world's a stage UPEI! students visit The Globe Theatre

The words of Shake- speare are continually being resurrected in movies and plays, and now the very stage on which Shakespeare pre- sented his words has also been resurrected and given new life.

UPETI, due to the efforts of Dr. Shannon Murray, par- ticipated in the construction of the new Globe Theatre by do- nating $1,400 to the “Help Raise the Heavens” campaign. The money was raised last year through a very success- ful Bardathon.

This. donation made UPEI a Globe-Link school, earning the university three time-capsules. Every $500 donation “bought” a time-cap- sule to bury under the Globe Theatre’s stage. This cer- emonious burial recently oc- curred; however, the occasion did not pass without UPEI’s presence.

Once again the efforts of Dr. Shannon Murray ena- bled UPEI to play a small part in the Globe Theatre. A group of 26 students and faculty trav- elled to London, England from February 21 to March 1.

The trip allowed thetrav-

ellers to visit the sites of Eng- -

land, to take in a couple of plays performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company, such as Macbeth, but most impor- tantly, the UPEI tourists got to witness the time-capsule burial.

Sealed ina lead box ina

room below the stage called the undercroft, there will re- main UPEI’stime-capsule until the day of “unveiling”. The date for this anticipated re- opening is still being debated. Three suggested dates are 50 years from the opening of the Globe; 500 years after the birth of Shakespeare; or 500 years after the first Globe was built.

Until the capsules are unearthed, they will protect select items from Canada’s smallest province. Such items include: a two dollar bill, a ferry receipt from the Abeguit, the Charlottetown Guardian article about the event, a UPEI calendar, and sand from the North and South Shores.

The members of UPEI were given royal treatment during their visit to the Globe Theatre. One UPEI guest, Cathy Gillan, voiced her sur- prise at the extreme hospital- ity, stating, “I was very im- pressed by how much recog- nition we were given for a relatively small gift”.

This personal recogni- tion given to the Canadian guests included a guided tour of the theatre. Escorted by an aspiring young actor, the UPEI group learned information about the Globe that is not included in a regular tour.

The actor explained to his guests that performing on thenewstage is different. They are experimenting with a way in playing Shakespeare that has not been done in close to

400 years.

Unlike most theatres where the best seats in the house are in the front, the Globe’s best seats are on the sides of the stage. Therefore, the stage is described as trans- verse and the actors have to learn to pay attention to the audience on the side.

Another difference about acting at the Globe is the audience interaction. While the actors know the audience of the Globe would interact with the play, they did not ex- pect the level of interaction

received, such as loudly boo- ing the bad guys and enthusi- astically cheering the good guys.

Dr. Murray found the visit “extraordinarily moving. This is a thing we read about and see sketches, but to be actually standing there where they will be performing...”. And now UPEI will always be a part of this remarkable con- nection to Shakespeare.

Kathryn Brown, an- other UPEI Globe-traveller, awed by the grandeur of the

theatre, stated, “I can only

imagine just how wonderful and vibrant the productions of Shakespeare will be when per- formed on this stage”.

The official opening for the Globe Theatre is June 8. On this day, the Globe-Link schools will be honoured by burying the final time-capsules, unveiling the heavens, and staging a special performance of Henry V. Unfortunately, UPEI cannot arrange another group trip to go see this cer- emony, but, according to Dr. Murray, “We will be there in spirit”.