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What to expect from a Shakespearean play in London

& Juliet

Shakespeare's plays offer a timeless blend of comedy, tragedy, romance, and historical drama. While the language may initially seem challenging, the universal themes of love, betrayal, ambition, jealousy, and family conflict remain deeply relevant today. Productions range from traditional period settings to innovative modern interpretations, with performances lasting approximately 2-3 hours, often with an interval.

Many venues provide program notes to help audiences follow the plot and understand the historical context. First-time viewers might find comedies like A Midsummer Night's Dream or Much Ado About Nothing more accessible, while those seeking emotional depth might prefer tragedies like Hamlet or Macbeth. The best thing about watching a play by Shakespeare in London is the sheer variety!

Why watch a Shakespeare play in London?

London holds a special place in Shakespeare's legacy – it was here that the Bard found fame and fortune, establishing himself as the greatest playwright in the English language. For over two decades, Shakespeare lived, wrote, and performed in London, creating many of his masterpieces for the city's theaters. In London, you'll be experiencing his works in the very place where they were first performed over 400 years ago.

The city offers great diversity – from the authentic open-air setting of Shakespeare's Globe on Bankside, where you can stand as a "groundling" just as audiences did in Shakespeare's day, to cutting-edge productions at venues like the National Theatre and Theatre Royal Drury Lane. In London, you can also see many homages to the playwright including a statue at Leicester Square and the only portrait painted by him at the National Gallery.

Which are Shakespeare’s best plays?

While it’s hard to pinpoint the Bard’s best work, some of his plays have been widely regarded as his finest creations. Some of them are

Romeo and Juliet (1594)

The definitive tragic love story, this tale of doomed young lovers from feuding families has become the template for countless romantic tragedies throughout literary history.

Twelfth Night (1599)

A sophisticated comedy about identity and lost love, featuring some of Shakespeare's most memorable characters. This play, which first premiered at Middle Temple Hall in London, rewrites and outclasses all his previous comedies.

Macbeth (1605)

This dark, supernatural tragedy follows a Scottish lord's murderous path to power and subsequent downfall. Short, thrilling and charged with the supernatural, it's Shakespeare's most accessible major tragedy.

Where can I see the best of Shakespeare in London?

Shakespeare’s Globe

The Globe Theatre, a 20-sided polygonal structure completed in 1599, became Shakespeare's primary venue. As a shareholder in both the theater and the company, Shakespeare grew increasingly prosperous. Approximately 15 of his plays debuted at The Globe, which tragically burned down in 1613 during a performance of "Henry VIII" when stage cannon fire ignited the thatched roof. (link to guided tour)

Read more about Shakespeare's Globe

Royal Shakespeare Company

While the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is based in Stratford-upon-Avon, it regularly brings productions to London, typically by partnering with other major London theaters. The company's London seasons usually include a mix of Shakespeare's most popular plays and lesser-performed works. Productions often transfer after successful runs in Stratford, bringing the highest quality Shakespearean performances to the capital.

Tour Shakespeare’s London

For those interested in discovering Shakespeare in London beyond the theater, several guided walks explore the Bard's former haunts. These tours typically include visits to:

  • Bankside, where the original Globe and Rose Theatres stood
  • St. Helen's Bishopsgate, near where Shakespeare lived in the late 1590s
  • The locations of the original Shoreditch theaters

The Shakespearean tale

Early life
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Early life

In late 1582, at just 18 years old, Shakespeare married the 26-year-old Anne Hathaway, who was already pregnant with their first child, Susanna. While Anne remained in Stratford raising their children, Shakespeare would soon set his sights on London to pursue his theatrical career.

The birth of London Theatre

Shakespeare moved to London in his twenties and quickly established himself as both an actor and playwright with the Lord Chamberlain's Men. Shakespeare's company performed at The Theatre in Shoreditch, where Romeo and Juliet likely premiered. After a dispute with the landowner, they dismantled The Theatre in 1598 and used its materials to build their own space - the Globe Theatre.

Final years

After two decades of success in London, Shakespeare retired to Stratford-upon-Avon in 1613. He died on April 23, 1616 – traditionally considered his birthday – at the age of 52. Shakespeare's legacy was preserved by his friends and colleagues, Henry Condell and John Heminges, ensuring that many of his plays survived for future generations.

Frequently asked questions about Shakespeare in London

Most of Shakespeare's originals were first performed in London and the genius playwright also spent many years living in the city. This is one of the reasons his works, in both adaptations and unaltered plays, may be found in London all throughout the year. Experiencing Shakespeare plays in London is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.