2.2 The First Globe Theatre

In 1599, the new theatre opened as the Globe. This new theatre would be owned not only by the Burbages, but by a number of actors in the company as well, in an equal partnership. Joining Richard and Cuthbert were John Heminges, William Kempe, Augustine Phillips, Thomas Pope, and William Shakespeare. Each invested their own money for running the theatre, commissioning plays, and paying actors, and each shared in any profits the theatre might earn.

• As mentioned above, Shakespeare was not the owner of the Globe, he was a part owner.
• Shakespeare's plays were not all written for the Globe, though from 1599 - 1613 he did serve as a resident playwright. It is postulated that this became the majority of his contribution to the partnership.
• Shakespeare's plays were not the only plays written for the Globe. Of 29 plays documented, only 15 were Shakespeare's. In addition to newly written plays, at least six of Shakespeare's previously written plays were performed at the Globe, as were other plays to which Shakespeare did not contribute.

As mentioned earlier, in 1598 when the Globe was being constructed, there were a number of other theatres in existence, including the Rose, the Swan, and the Curtain. However, none could match the quality of acting or the quality of plays that were featured at the Globe. The Globe was simply better run. In 1602, the Rose, the Globe's closest neighbor, was closed. None of the other theatres could hope to compete with the excellence of the Globe. In 1603, King James 1 honored the Lord Chamberlain's Men with a new title, the King's Men.