1. Shakespeare's Globe Theatre (© Manuel Harlan)
    © Manuel Harlan
  2. Shakespeare's Globe Theatre (© John Wildgood)
    © John Wildgood
  3. Shakespeare's Globe Theatre (© John Wildgoose)
    © John Wildgoose

Shakespeare's Globe

  • Theatre | Shakespeare
  • South Bank
  • Recommended
Alex Sims
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Time Out says

What is it?

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.

Why go?

Step into the shoes of an Elizabethan Londoner in this lovingly recreated theatre. 

Don’t miss:

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.

When to visit:

Daily 10am–4pm. Peak times at weekends. 

Ticketing info:

Exhibition and tour £27, under 16s £20. 

Time Out tip:

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.

Find top theatre shows in London and discover our guide to the very best things to do in London.

Details

Address
21
New Globe Walk
Bankside
London
SE1 9DT
Transport:
Tube: Blackfriars/Mansion House/London Bridge
Opening hours:
Globe Exhibition and Tour daily 10am–4pm. Closed Dec 24 and 25. (Check in advance for dates when the tour is not available.)
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What’s on

All’s Well That Ends Well

After the somewhat high drama summer season, the Shakespeare’s Globe indoor winter season makes a fairly low-key start with an outing for the Bard’s oddball late play, one of his least performed works. All’s Well That Ends Well follows Helen, a low-born young woman who saves the King of France’s life and is granted any man she wishes as husband. Rejected by her only love the artistocrat Bertram, she resolves to win his heart by what it’s safe to say can be described as ‘any means necessary’. Off the back of a few plays at Hampstead Theatre, Chelsea Walker makes both her Globe and professional Shakespeare debut, directing a cast led by Ruby Bentall as Helen and Kit Young as Bertram.
  • Shakespeare

Hansel and Gretel

Hold on to your gingerbread lattes! This year’s outdoor Christmas show at the Globe – that is, it’s not in the indoor Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, it’s really outside – is a brand new verse adaptation of the classic fairytale ‘Hansel and Gretel’ courtesy of the great Simon Armitage. It nominally ran last Christmas, but the production was so ravaged by cast illness that much of the run was cancelled. It never had a press night and consequently we’re a bit vague on precisely what to expect from Armitage’s: the basics of the story are usually pretty similar (children lost in woods, breadcrumbs, witch, sweets), but the levels of sentimentality tend to vary dramatically, though as it’s ages five-plus it presumably won’t be too dark.
  • Outdoor theatres
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