You’re going to read a fiction story that takes place at a theater in 1599. Here are four facts you should know first.
1. A long time ago, there was a writer named William Shakespeare.
Stock Montage/Getty Images (William Shakespeare); Jim McMahon/Mapman ® (Globe)
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was born in England in 1564. He grew up to be an actor and one of the world’s most famous playwrights (someone who writes plays). He worked in London, the capital of England. That’s where the story takes place—and Shakespeare is a main character!
2. Shakespeare wrote many plays.
Shutterstock.com
Shakespeare wrote with quills, pens made from feathers.
Shakespeare wrote more than 30 plays in his lifetime. One of his most popular plays was A Midsummer Night’s Dream. It was a comedy that made many people laugh.
3. His plays were performed at a theater called the Globe.
Shutterstock.com (Globe Theater); Universal History Archive/Getty Images (Queen Elizabeth I)
What the Globe Theater looks like today
Inset: Queen Elizabeth I
There were no movies or video games in the 1500s. For entertainment, people loved to see plays performed in theaters. (England’s ruler, Queen Elizabeth I, was also a fan!)
One of the biggest theaters in London was called the Globe. It was built in 1599.
4. At the time, some kids were actors.
GraphicaArtis/Getty Images
This illustration shows Shakespeare and other actors performing a play for Queen Elizabeth I in 1594.
In the 1500s, most kids didn’t go to school. Instead, they worked to help support their families. Some became actors! Are you ready to read a story about this time period?
Read the play “Thomas Turner Saves the Day.”
This article was originally published in the May/June 2026 issue.
