Argument Essay: Do We Need Theatre Buildings?

Do We Need Theatre Buildings?

In this essay I am going to be arguing the question 'Do We Need Theatre Buildings.' I will be talking about the different buildings and some of the significantly rich history behind them, such as 'The original Globe was an Elizabethan theatre which opened in 1599 in Southwark... On June 29, 1613, the Globe Theatre went up in flames... A theatrical cannon, set off during the performance...' (PlayShakespeare, 2017) but mainly the amount of money that goes into them and exactly just how many there are. And also why I think it is important to have and maintain them for as long as we can. On the contrary, I will be talking also about why we do not need Theatre buildings or more to the point, as many theatre buildings

I remember being sat in year 9 History and being told all about The Globe Theatre and how it burned down due to a theatrical cannon being set off. It is a popular story in history that the majority of people know and could tell. Moreover, theatre building history is a common history taught to students throughout their primary and secondary education because there is so much of it to be taught. But it is also a gateway that leads us onto more questions than just buildings for example, did royalty visit these theatre buildings? 'MONARCHS did not go to the theatre; they summoned the actors to court for a private performance. According to Alfred Harbage's book, Shakespeare's Audience, "In 1595 ... the company of Shakespeare and Burbage was called to play at court three times ..." (Barrett, J. The Guardian, 2011) Who built them? ‘The Globe Theatre was built by a master carpenter called Peter Smith and his workers.’ (BardStage. June, 2015). What was the class division and how did it work? Who was the artist that put detail into the art work throughout the building? Etc. Why would we not want them, when they are massive amounts of much needed resource for Historians and teachers’/tutors worldwide. In Britain, mainly London, we are known for our West End theatres and the history of them, especially to touring history enthusiasts from all over the world. So is it not more of a must to

The Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) says it needs to make changes to its services to keep up with increasing demand and reduced budgets.' (Mcdowall, R. Macclesfield Express. 30 Nov, 2017) This is a little more close to home, as it is taking place at my towns local hospital, Macclesfield General District Hospital. As a person who has suffered with Mental Health on and off my whole life and family friends suffering with Dementia, surely you can understand when the Royal Opera House theatre are saying 'Every shoe... comes at a price. And without skilled footwear supervisors... no production would reach the stage. That's why the £26 million you contribute each year, through donations small and large, is so important.' (Royal Opera House, 2017) is going to get my back up. Why are these theatres eligible to get so many donations but a hospital isnt? I am not blaming theatres for this but I genuinely believe it to be just pure cheek and greed that we continue to scavenge for money and absolutely ridiculous when Actors/Actresses argue that 'the state should fund the arts' when the state can not even afford to fund a small town hospital. I am very sorry but you are at the bottom of the states priority list! Back to my point of there being ‘over 1,300 active theatres in the UK.' It is mind baffling, how is this so when