Introduction
In 1599, Swiss physician Thomas Platter and his older half-brother, Felix, paid a visit to England, then ruled by Elizabeth I. Two o’clock in the afternoon of Tuesday September 21st found Thomas at a theatre ‘across the water’ in Southwark. He may have attended the fading Rose; but most scholars assume he crowded into the brand new Globe to watch one of Mr Shakespeare’s much-admired plays.
ON September 21st after lunch, about two o’clock, I and my party crossed the water, and there in the house with the thatched roof witnessed an excellent performance of the tragedy of the first Emperor Julius Caesar with a cast of some fifteen people; when the play was over, they danced very marvellously and gracefully together as is their wont, two dressed as men and two as women.
The playhouses are so constructed that they play on a raised platform, so that everyone has a good view. There are different galleries and places, however, where the seating is better and more comfortable and therefore more expensive.
Précis
In 1599, Swiss doctor Thomas Platter visited London. In his journal, he recorded that in September he crossed the Thames to attend a play at a theatre in Southwark (apparently the Globe) where he enjoyed a performance of what would seem to have been William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, followed by some particularly fine dancing. (54 / 60 words)
In 1599, Swiss doctor Thomas Platter visited London. In his journal, he recorded that in September he crossed the Thames to attend a play at a theatre in Southwark (apparently the Globe) where he enjoyed a performance of what would seem to have been William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, followed by some particularly fine dancing.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: although, must, not, ought, unless, whereas, whether, who.
If you like what I’m doing here on Clay Lane, from time to time you could buy me a coffee.
Buy Me a Coffee is a crowdfunding website, used by over a million people. It is designed to help content creators like me make a living from their work. ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ prides itself on its security, and there is no need to register.
