This week we have:
Enjoy all the fun of the live launch events for The Ballad of Smallhope and Pennyroyal - CLICK HERE
This week’s History Briefing is about The History of the Globe Theatre in London
A joke from the Silly Sunday thread in the Fans & Readers Facebook group
Events: New event at The Wallingford Bookshop on 28th September
Back to School notebook sale
Guest posts: Do you want to share something on Jodi's Substack blog?
There’s plenty to read this week and you can see everything new on the blog too. CLICK HERE for the blog.
Enjoy all the fun of the launch events for The Ballad of Smallhope and Pennyroyal - CLICK HERE to watch the videos (subtitled for accessability)
History and Happenings - click here to view more posts
The History of the Globe Theatre in London
The Globe Theatre in London holds a significant place in the history of English theatre, particularly as the venue most associated with William Shakespeare. Originally constructed in 1599, the theatre became synonymous with the English Renaissance's flourishing drama and culture.
The original Globe Theatre was built in 1599 by the Lord Chamberlain's Men, a company of actors that included Shakespeare himself. The company was established under the patronage of Henry Carey, the Lord Chamberlain, which gave the troupe its name. The theatre was constructed on the south bank of the River Thames in Southwark, an area known for its entertainment venues, outside the strict regulations of the City of London. It was built using timber from an earlier theatre, appropriately named "The Theatre," which had been dismantled after a dispute over the lease.
The Globe was a polygonal, open-air structure with a capacity to hold up to 3,000 spectators. It was three stories high and featured a large, uncovered central yard where the audience, referred to as "groundlings," could stand to watch performances. The stage extended into the yard, allowing actors to interact closely with the audience.
The Globe Theatre quickly became the epicenter of London’s theatrical world. Many of Shakespeare's most famous plays, including Hamlet, Othello, Macbeth, and King Lear, were performed at the Globe. It was here that audiences first experienced Shakespeare’s mastery of language and drama. The unique design of the Globe provided an intimate atmosphere that allowed for dynamic interaction between the actors and the audience, enhancing the experience of Shakespeare's works.
Enjoy a joke from the Silly Sunday thread from the Facebook Fans and Readers group.
Thanks to Joe Tetsab for this one…
We had several of these bushes in the garden. All died, bar one.
It is the lone hydrangea.
Events - Join Jodi for launch events for The Ballad of Smallhope and Pennyroyal
NEW! 28th September at The Wallingford Bookshop CLICK HERE for detail
Guest posts: Do you want to share something on Jodi's Substack blog?
It could be about historical costumes, places or something for Controversy Corner. Those are just a few ideas but others are welcome. The articles are usually about 500 words and need at least one picture.
If your article is published you'll get a free annual subscription worth £50. This entitles you to the writing masterclass, chat room, and free eBook of the Reading Companion and History Briefing for Just One Damned Thing After Another.
Please email Hazel at hazel@rushford.ltd with your ideas. The article will appear on the blog and in the Friday digest email.
The Reading Companion and History Briefings eBook for Just One Damned Thing After Another. The eBook is 99p or FREE for subscribers.
It contains:
A foreword by Jodi Taylor
Background information on the characters
History Briefings giving information on the four main jumps in the book
Floor plans of St Mary’s Institute for Historical Research
A list of British idioms and expressions
How to make tea like a Brit
A recipe for Toad in the Hole
A full series guide and reading order for The Chronicles of St Mary’s series
Available in both epub and PDF formats. You can also download full-size images of the floor plans.