1. Flag: The Globe Theatre, like other playhouses of the time, would fly a flag from the roof to indicate that a performance was about to begin. This flag was typically red, which symbolized that a play was being performed.
2. Trumpets: Before a performance, a group of musicians known as the "waits" would parade through the streets of London playing trumpets and drums to announce the upcoming play.
3. Playbills: Playbills were distributed in the streets and posted around the city, advertising upcoming performances. These playbills would list the title of the play, the playwright's name, the names of the actors, and the date and time of the performance.
4. Word of Mouth: In a close-knit community like Elizabethan London, news about upcoming plays spread quickly through word of mouth. People would talk about the latest plays they had seen or heard about, generating excitement and anticipation for new productions.
5. Crowds: The Globe Theatre was a very popular venue, and as the time of the performance approached, crowds would begin to gather outside the theatre. This influx of people was an obvious indication that a performance was about to take place.
It's important to note that these methods of announcing plays were used before the performance began. Once the play started, the actors themselves would use various techniques, such as prologues and epilogues, to engage with the audience and set the scene.