Has The Globe lost its spark?

I think its good its opening it up to more comedy and music shows. I think the problem is just that its very well done Shakespeare shows without any big names. But then, its always been a bit like that i think

Used to go to everything, whole season, loved it. Would still go if I thought it was going to be a decent Shakespeare with no agenda being shoved at me. So i rely on you guys to keep me posted. 

Terry is a good actor but a poor AD. She really shouldn't be using her position to cast herself and her other half on a regular basis.

I strongly believe that we have to drive nepotism out of the arts. It makes theatre feel even more exclusive and elitist at a time when there should be total commitment to open auditions and full transparency with regards to appointments.

All arts companies whether they receive public funding or not should sign up to a pledge not to use their positions to further the careers of family members/close friends. Recruitment should be in the basis of talent and nor who you know.

Can I ask what that means in terms of the plays at the globe? I've not been there in a few years.

I didn't see this summer's Romeo and Juliet, but I think it focused on teenage mental health and had trigger warning and helpline numbers. Is that the kind of thing that's meant by woke? I would have loved to see it, and I'm always interested in productions that make modern parallels. But I accept it's not everyone's preference.

I don't go to the Globe often, mainly because the ticket prices are too high for me. I might be wrong, but I get the impression that their bread and butter is school parties and tourists, which is fine if that means they can break even. My children and friends' children have all been on trips there to see a play and often there's a tour and workshop as well. They seem to be really popular with students and teachers from what I hear. So perhaps their productions are aimed at maximising accessibility to GCSE/A Level students? I'm not saying Shakespeare has to have modern parallels spelled out in order to engage teenagers, but I have seen this approach work with my own children.

I appreciate as you say its not for everyone, but doing that for Romeo and Juliet is perfectly fine nowadays. If it helps people, then i don't understand the criticism of it being overly woke

I normally just get the standing tickets myself. I went to midsummers and will be going to the comedy store players in October and maybe 12th night. Ive just seen most Shakespeares a million times by now, so it needs an interesting cast or concept to pull me in now    

I've just looked this up. The Globe played to 72% capacity in 2019, 84% in 2018, and 89% in 2017. Which is quite a big drop in just 2 years, and coincides with Michelle Terry taking over, so maybe it's true that it's lost its spark and that her leadership is cause for concern, maybe there were other factors.

But 72% is still over 1100 per performance on average, so I don't think it's fair to say that there's only enough audience for small venues, just that it's not attracting the numbers it was in 2017. 

You're right, it is absolutely shocking advice ..

Is there a theatre in central London that hasn't lost its spark during this pandemic? The Almeida? ( Maybe Macbeth will be good) The Royal Court? ( God knows they're trying) The Donmar ( the four cast Constellations was a masterstroke but what's happening in the main house?) Hampstead (at least they had the Tom Wells play) - my point is that they're all struggling with what to program, (don't get me started on The National - Paradise? ) who is their audience? Do they program to challenge their audience, to cater to them? Is the audience even going to be there? All of these theatres are now in the process of trying to find a way to balance staying in business and evolving their repertoire and staffing - the Globe is just part of an overall syndrome that is affecting everyone who not only loves theatre but who works in it. So, yes, the Globe has lost its spark, but they're not alone. The next few years are going to be rough going for us all.

Donmar is just opening up now!

I think almeida will be boosted by the Macbeth, and Young Vic seems good with the hamlet.

I'm hoping normal heart will do well for tbe national and old Vic gets back on track with the Christmas Carol onwards.

I agree it all feels a bit weird at the moment, but once people get more used to going out, the audiences will start to come back. I think maybe they need to cast bigger names though in some instances.

I roll my eyes at this idea that theatre is doomed or that people will want to stay at home and not go out at all.