Final answer:
To signal that a new play was being performed at the original Globe Theatre, a colored flag corresponding to the type of play (red for history, white for comedy, black for tragedy) was raised to attract audiences.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the era of the original Globe Theatre, which was central to the performance of Shakespeare's plays, a special signal was used to announce a new play. This signal was the hoisting of a flag. A different colored flag would represent the type of play that was being performed: a red flag for a history play, a white flag for a comedy, and a black flag for a tragedy.
On days when a new play was to be performed, which was an exciting event, the Globe Theatre would raise one of these flags to catch the attention of Londoners. Since there was stiff competition among theaters at the time, this visual cue was crucial for drawing in audiences who were looking forward to new entertainment.
The tradition of signaling a new performance has its echoes in modern theatrical announcements, but with contemporary forms of communication, such visual signals have become more historical than practical.