The Fortune Theatre located in Russell Street, Covent Garden in London, was opened in 1924 and stands on the site of the old Albion Tavern.
It is currently hosting the long running play The Woman In Black, which was adapted by Stephen Mallatratt from the book of the same name by Susan Hill.
The 16th Century Venue
The Fortune Theatre was a contemporary with Shakespeare's Globe, the Swan Theatre and others. It is the only theater from that time whose exact dimensions are known, although many details were specified to be "the same as the Globe" without further clarification. It had a square floorplan. Three floors of galleries surrounded the central yard, which was open to the sky. The rebuilt Globe Theatre, London There have been several Globe Theatres in London. ...
The well-to-do paid extra money to see the play and be seen in the galleries, while "groundlings" could watch the play from the yard, right in front of the stage.
The stage was rectangular, extending out into the middle of the yard.
External Links
The Fortune Theatre (http://www.theambassadors.com/fortune/), Russell Street.
Fortune Theatre, New Zealand
New Zealand's Fortune Theatre is located in the southern city of Dunedin, and lays claim to being the world's southernmost professional theatre company. Operating since 1973, it ihas been located since 1978 in the former Trinity methodist Church close to the city centre. The theatre is a repertory theatre, and is a regular host of both local and touring shows. Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, located in coastal Otago. ...
The theatre was consciously built to compete with the Globe—the building contract, which still survives, specifies features which were to be “done according to the manner and fashion of the said house called the Globe,”; as well as how the Fortune was to differ from its rival.
The document states that the Fortune playhouse was to be rectangular, instead of the usual round or octagonal shapes of theatres.
The Fortune had an open yard, a rectangular stage which was covered by a roof, as well as gentlemen's rooms, twopenny rooms, and a “tiring-house” (dressing room).
The Fortune is currently home to the phenomenally successful 'Woman in Black,' which opened at the Theatre in 1989, after first being produced at the Playhouse.
Built by Laurance Cowen, author and playwright, it was, the first theatre to be erected in England for a period of ten years (1914-24), and in being christened the Fortune it revives the name and memories of the famous house in which Shakespeare acted.
Particularly handsome is the marble and copper entrance to the house.
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