The Spirit of the Globe

By Katherine Stanton, aged 12

I stared mesmerised by the story unfolding on the stage. I watched the actors weave their play into a web to catch the audience’s attention. I looked around in awe, although I had been to the Globe many times, it never failed to impress me, with its bright spirit and elegant structure. The actors leapt up and danced jovially, contrasting with the tragic play. I sighed sorrowfully, it was almost over. The actors bowed and the crowd clapped in delight, before leaving. I remained, observing the stage with its towering columns and shinning wooden floor... For my entire life all I had wanted was to act on that stage. It was my dream, why should being a girl stop it from happening? My mind drifted away, full of imaginings of acting...

“Hey! We are closing! Move!” a gruff voice yelled.

Reluctantly, I headed home. As I trekked through the dark, dismal and dingy streets of London, my thoughts strayed back to the play. It had been so tempting to go up onto the stage and perform...My nose twitched at the acrid, festering smell of smoke. Slowly, I looked up from the filthy cobbles and gasped. A beast of raging flames was charging toward me, consuming all in its path. I knew it had already changed everything I cared for into a heap of ash, apart from one place... I turned back again towards the majestic shape of the Globe in the distance and ran, taking me closer to my dream. Surprisingly, the theatre doors were open wide, welcoming me inside. I rushed to the stage clambering up those worn stairs. If I was going to die, I decided, it would be here. All the years of listening to plays came rushing to me, I knew every line, I took a deep breath and I acted my heart out. I danced,wept, wailed,crowed and giggled. My soul sang with joy. I was so immersed in my dream that I could see my ghostly audience, hear their applause. I took a sweeping bow ,suddenly, the clapping became crackling and the monster of fire came crashing through the doors. I felt its hot breath on me. I watched my beautiful theatre fall apart...I faced the fire, it spiralled around me, dancing with me. However, I knew that this peace and serenity would not last...The fire embraced me fiercely and I, having fulfilled my dream, hugged it back...

I am still here, watching you. The Globe has been destroyed many times now, but I have stayed with it. To go anywhere else would be like going to Hell. I love the Globe. Many things have changed since my time and London's great fire, finally girls and boys can express themselves through acting. If you could see me you would see my smile. Never forget how privileged you are... But when no one is around, if you listen you might hear me speaking my lines, just a whisper on the wind, performing to my imaginary audience...