Cranes pop roof on Bard replica

The theatre started early at Auckland’s Pop-up Globe as a 17-tonne roof was lifted into place.

Work on the temporary space is nearing completion at Ellerslie Racecourse, with opening day set for February 23.

On Wednesday more than 30 construction specialists watched as one of New Zealand’s largest cranes lifted the double-gabled roof on to the theatre.

The roof was built in two weeks in the racecourse gardens and includes special features such as a cannon and a trapdoor.

Pop-up Globe’s commercial director, Tobias Grant, said the most special feature of the new roof was the onion dome, which was positioned above the middle of the stage.

‘‘The onion dome is a distinctive feature of the original second Globe Theatre. While its exact function is unknown, through history academics have suggested that one of its roles was to harness the power of the sun to create a spectacular natural lighting effect illuminating the stage.

‘‘We believe this is the first time anyone has attempted to recreate this,’’ Grant said.

More than 100,000 people experienced Pop-up Globe’s first season of Shakespeare plays last year.

This year, more than 1200 applications were received from actors around the world to audition to be part of the casts performing Much Ado About Nothing, Henry V, Othello and As You Like It. Thirty actors were chosen for the roles, including Rawiri Paratene, Tekohe Tuhaka, Antonio Te Maioha, and Edward Newborn.

Built to the same dimensions as the first Pop-up Globe by build partner Camelspace, the new Popup Globe features a three-storey Jacobean-inspired stage front, known to Shakespeare scholars as the Frons Scaenae.

The stage front is being built and painted entirely by hand, featuring Jacobean imagery and architectural detailing.

The 2017 season will run from February 23 to May 14.

– Fairfax NZ