how many owners of the original globe theatre were there?
Cuthbert and Richard Burbage were able to raise half of the cost – giving them each a 25% share in the Globe. The idea of sharing the cost was put to the actors. Five actors agreed to become stakeholders, including Will Kempe. Will Kempe then decided to back out, leaving his fellow actors to pick up his contribution to the new theatre. The Globe Theatre owners must have been furious with Will Kempe. Kempe Morris danced his way from London to Norwich and ended up acting at The Rose, one of the Globe’s fiercest competitors. The actors stake was therefore increased from 10% to 12.5%. The following six men finally agreed to become the joint owners of the Globe Theatre: • Cuthbert Burbage (25%) • Richard Burbage (25%) • William Shakespeare (12.5%) • John Heminges (12.5%) • Augustine Phillips (12.5%) • Thomas Pope (12.5%) The six joint owners took out a thirty-one year lease which began at Christmas 1598. The new Globe Theatre was built in just six months and opened for performances in May 1
