Production Designer Fiona Crombie’s Journey to Bringing Shakespeare’s Theater to Life with a Rustic Touch in ‘Hamnet’
Director Chloé Zhao’s "Hamnet" Embraces Creative Freedom in Globe Theatre Recreation
In the production of Hamnet, director Chloé Zhao faced significant challenges in recreating the historic Globe Theatre. According to production designer Fiona Crombie, filming at the actual location was not feasible for several reasons, including the Globe’s status as an operational theater and its altered appearance from the original structure.
“The Globe Theatre that we see today is historically a different Globe than what we wanted to have in our film,” Crombie explained. “It’s actually the second Globe; the first burnt down, so we had creative freedom to make a Globe that felt appropriate for our story and also fit our aesthetic.”
Crombie emphasized that the design aimed to reflect the essence of the theater as a performance space rather than a focal point. “The theater was built as a place to put the play on, as opposed to being a centerpiece itself, which is more like what the Globe is now. Ours was rough and rustic and simple because I wanted everybody’s eyes to be on stage.”
To enhance authenticity, Crombie constructed a fully functional theater, complete with areas typically hidden from the audience, allowing for seamless prop transitions during the performance. “Even though in the film it’s broken up and edited, we actually ran a big chunk of the play Hamlet and filmed it,” she noted.
The design of the backstage area also aimed for historical accuracy, showcasing elements from various Shakespearean plays. “We dressed the backstage as though it could put on any of Shakespeare’s plays to that point, so there was a nod to A Midsummer Night’s Dream and some others,” Crombie said.
The backstage décor included a comprehensive armory, costumes, and even oyster shells, which were traditionally used to hold makeup. This attention to detail contributed to a rich environment, enhancing the audience’s experience of the film.
Illustrations of the original Globe often depicted exaggerated features, allowing Crombie and her team a degree of artistic license in their interpretation. “The biggest light bulb moment for me was discovering that the wood could have actually been stolen from another theater that had been dismantled, so it’s not bespoke. It was sort of gathered and put together to create the theater,” she revealed.
Additionally, while the historical Globe would typically feature William Shakespeare looking down from an elevated position, Crombie opted to create a more personal connection by altering this detail.
Crombie’s innovative design not only re-envisions a pivotal space from theater history but also sets the stage for a compelling retelling of a beloved narrative.
