Shakespeare’s Globe

• 1594–1599: The early years: Shakespeare’s company, The Lord Chamberlain’s Men, first performed at The Theatre in Shoreditch before moving to the Curtain Theatre. In 1599, they dismantled The Theatre and used its timber to build the original Globe in Southwark.
• 1613–1614: Fire and rebirth: The Globe theatre famously went up in flames during a performance of Henry VIII. It was quickly rebuilt the next year, continuing as a hub for Shakespeare’s plays.
• 1642–1644: Closure and demolition: When Parliament ordered all theatres in London to shut, the Globe eventually fell silent and was torn down within two years.
• 1970–1997: Wanamaker’s dream: Centuries later, American actor Sam Wanamaker launched a mission to rebuild the Globe. His vision came to life in 1997 when Queen Elizabeth II opened the new Shakespeare’s Globe, just steps from the original site.
• 2014: A new chapter: The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse opened as an indoor, candlelit theatre, offering intimate performances in the style of 17th-century playhouses.

• Open-Air design and the wooden ‘O’: The Globe theatre in London is shaped as an icosagon, a 20-sided polygon, forming the famous “wooden O”, where performances take place beneath the sky with natural lighting.
• Elizabethan craftsmanship: Built with English oak, lime plaster, and mortise-and-tenon joints, the theatre reflects authentic 16th-century Elizabethan and Jacobean design, with no structural steel.
• Fire-safe thatched roof: The Globe is the only building in modern London permitted to have a thatched roof, protected with advanced fire-safety measures.
• Stage and seating layout: A thrust stage extends into a circular yard for 700 standing spectators, surrounded by three tiers of raked wooden-bench seating.
• Sam Wanamaker Playhouse: The indoor candlelit theatre, designed from Inigo Jones’s assistant John Webb’s 17th-century blueprints, combines historic intimacy with modern ventilation and stagecraft.

At Shakespeare’s Globe

• The Globe theatre in London has staged the complete works of Shakespeare, often in multiple interpretations, alongside plays by his contemporaries.
• Notable Globe productions include Antony and Cleopatra (1998), As You Like It (1998), Augustine’s Oak (1999), The Antipodes (2000), The Comedy of Errors (2005), All’s Well That Ends Well (2011), The Globe Mysteries (2011), Blue Stockings (2013), and A Midsummer Night’s Dream (2013).
• Beyond Shakespeare, the Globe also hosts concerts, special events, and the long-running Read Not Dead series of staged readings of lesser-known early modern plays.

At Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

• Opened in 2014, the candlelit theatre debuted with John Webster’s The Duchess of Malfi, directed by Dominic Dromgoole. Since then, it has staged a mix of Shakespeare, Jacobean drama, and contemporary works.
• Recent highlights include productions like Moving Stories, showcasing the playhouse’s commitment to experimental and intimate theatre experiences.

• Washrooms: Gender-neutral washrooms are available across the venue for all guests.
• Baby changing facilities: Baby changing areas are provided, making the theatre accessible for families.
• Gift shop: The Globe’s shop sells souvenirs such as books, clothing, posters, bags, and stationery.
• Tours: Guided tours offer insight into the Globe’s history, architecture, and stagecraft.
• Swan Restaurant and Café-Bar: Swan, the theatre’s riverside restaurant, serves British cuisine with views of the Thames, while the café-bar offers light bites and drinks.
• Education spaces: Dedicated learning studios host workshops, lectures, and events for students and the wider public.
• Booster cushions: Booster cushions are not provided at Sam Wanamaker’s Playhouse. Upper Gallery seats may limit views for children.

• Swan at the Globe: Situated right next to Shakespeare’s Globe, with views of St. Paul’s across the river, this restaurant is renowned for its British cuisine.

- Directions to Swan at the Globe

• The Real Greek Bankside: This Greek restaurant serves classic Ouzo and Gyros, a local Greek favourite, accompanied by magnificent views of the river.

- Directions to The Real Greek Bankside

• Zizzi - Bankside: An Italian restaurant with a menu of pastas, calzones, pizzas and risottos. Zizzi supplements its cuisine with stunning river views.

- Directions to Zizzi - Bankside

• Anchor Bankside: This outdoor and indoor bar provides just what you need for relaxation. Enjoy the views while sipping on real ale, experimenting with the bar menu, and munching on delectable snacks. 

- Directions to Anchor Bankside