Built in 1599 and destroyed by fire in 1613, the original Globe Theatre was at the heart of London’s seedy entertainment district in William Shakespeare’s time. Here, productions were put on by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, who included in their company old Bill himself. Although the theatre was rebuilt after the fire, it was eventually torn down in 1644, and as London’s entertainment centre moved west, this stretch of South Bank between Blackfriars and London Bridge was all but forgotten for generations.
Fast forward to 1997, when, following a decades-long campaign run by the late American actor Sam Wanamaker, the Globe was recreated near its original site. They used as much historical detail as could be found when designing the building in order to provide an authentic, Shakespearean experience with plays presented as close as possible to the kind of setting and conditions The Bard would have written for.
Compared to the seventeenth century version of the theatre, the modern day Shakespeare’s Globe only holds about half the capacity, but theatre-goers can still get a rich feel for what it was like to be a ‘groundling’ (the standing rabble at the front of the stage) in the circular, open-air theatre. The Globe Exhibition and Tour is open all year round and explores the life and work of Shakespeare and theatre in his time.
Step into the shoes of an Elizabethan Londoner in this lovingly recreated theatre.
A visit here isn’t just a history lesson. The theatre productions are among the best in London. Each season (spring to early autumn) includes several Shakespeare classics, performed by a company of established and upcoming actors, while works of other writers are also programmed. You can also see performances in the candlelit Jacobean indoor theatre: Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. Artistically, there’s a commitment to the Bard, but within that it’s one of London’s liveliest and occasionally most controversial theatres. The current artistic director is Michelle Terry, who has focused her efforts on diversity and actor-friendliness.
Daily 10am–4pm. Peak times at weekends.
Exhibition and tour £27, under 16s £20.
If you’re heading to the theatre for the tour why not stay to watch a play when the season’s in full swing? It’s simple and easy to queue for £5 standing tickets on the day of the performance, I’ve done it many times and never missed out on bagging a place. Standing for a three-hour-long Shakespeare play may seem daunting, but the atmosphere is unbeatable and in the thick of the action, the time goes by swiftly.
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