Shakespeare’s Globe is a replica of the original Globe Theatre, a historic venue where many of Shakespeare’s plays were first performed in the 16th and 17th centuries. Located on the south bank of the River Thames in London, Shakespeare’s Globe is a popular and prestigious cultural institution, which attracts visitors from all over the world.
The original Globe Theatre was built in 1599, and was the home of Shakespeare’s acting company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. The theatre was one of the most important cultural institutions of its time, and played host to some of the most famous plays and performances of the Elizabethan era.
The Globe Theatre was destroyed by fire in 1613, and was later rebuilt in a different location, before finally being demolished in the 17th century. The current Globe Theatre was built in 1997, as a replica of the original theatre, using traditional materials and construction methods.
Today, Shakespeare’s Globe is one of the most popular and prestigious theatres in London, attracting visitors from all over the world. The theatre is known for its unique and authentic performances, which are based on the original staging and production techniques used in Shakespeare’s time.
One of the most unique features of Shakespeare’s Globe is its open-air design, which allows audiences to experience the plays in the same way that they would have been experienced in the 16th and 17th centuries. The theatre is modelled on the original Globe Theatre, with a circular stage, a thatched roof, and a range of different seating areas, including standing areas for the “groundlings”.
Shakespeare’s Globe is known for its commitment to authenticity and historical accuracy, and has a team of expert scholars and practitioners who work to recreate the original performances as faithfully as possible. The theatre uses traditional costumes and props, and the performances are staged with the same techniques and practices that would have been used in Shakespeare’s time.
One of the most popular events at Shakespeare’s Globe is the Globe Theatre Tour, which takes visitors behind the scenes of the theatre and provides an insight into the history and culture of the venue. The tour includes a visit to the exhibition, which showcases a range of historical artefacts and documents, as well as a chance to explore the theatre itself and learn about its construction and design.
Shakespeare’s Globe is also committed to education and outreach, and has a range of programs and initiatives designed to engage and inspire young people from all backgrounds. The theatre offers a range of educational activities and workshops, aimed at promoting the study and appreciation of Shakespeare’s works and the history of the theatre.
In addition to its commitment to authenticity and historical accuracy, Shakespeare’s Globe is also known for its innovative and experimental productions. The theatre has a reputation for producing bold and ambitious interpretations of Shakespeare’s works, which push the boundaries of traditional staging and performance.
One of the most famous productions to have been staged at Shakespeare’s Globe is the all-female production of Henry IV, which was performed in 2014. The production received widespread critical acclaim and was a landmark moment in the history of the theatre, highlighting the range and diversity of the talent on offer at the venue.
Shakespeare’s Globe is also home to a range of other cultural and artistic events, including concerts, exhibitions, and festivals. The theatre hosts a range of cultural events throughout the year, including the annual Shakespeare’s Globe Festival, which celebrates the life and work of the Bard.
In conclusion, Shakespeare’s Globe is one of the most important and prestigious cultural institutions in London, with a rich and fascinating history that spans over 400 years. The theatre is a testament to the enduring appeal and relevance of Shakespeare’s works, and is a unique and unforgettable experience for visitors. Whether you are a fan of Shakespeare or simply interested in the history and culture of the theatre.
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How do I use this page?
We work to ensure that your frequently asked questions are covered throughout the entire of our site. Whether you’re browsing What’s On, Watch, Discover, Learn, Visit, Join & support or Shop, you should find all of the information you need on the relevant pages. If you still can’t find what you’re looking for, use the regularly asked questions below or feel free to get in touch.
Are you open?
Guided Tours and performances in the Globe Theatre are now running as part of our Summer 2021 season. Swan Bar & Restaurant has resumed indoor and outdoor dining. Browse all upcoming on-site events online and to hear about any other future events, join our mailing list. Our online shop remains open.
What can I do to prepare for my visit?
If you are attending a performance, tour or event, or if you are just visiting Swan Bar & Restaurant, you can find everything you need to know on the Visit section of our website. The page on Covid safety measures will detail where and when you need to arrive for your event or tour, plus other top tips for visiting us at this time.
How are you keeping visitors safe during the Coronavirus pandemic?
If you are due to attend an on-site event or tour in the future, or are visiting the Swan Bar & Restaurant, we have published information online about our Covid-19 (Coronavirus) safety measures.
What happens if the Coronavirus situation changes?
Should there be any changes to the current status of Covid-19 (Coronavirus), we will take account of any recommendations from the relevant authorities and implement all appropriate instructions as necessary. Once you have booked a ticket to anything, we will communicate with you via email to prepare you for your visit – if any guidance changes between your booking and your visit, we will notify you by email.
How can I contact the Box Office?
You can reach our Box Office team by calling +44(0)20 7401 9919 or by emailing them. Find out Box Office opening hours.
Can I attend any events or performances online?
We have an ongoing range of online events, performances, workshops and courses for you to access from home. Browse our What’s On and filter by venue ‘At Home’. You can also engage with us digitally in many other online ways: watch videos, access teaching resources and discover blogs, podcasts and more. To hear about new online events and other digital releases, join our mailing list.
Which countries can book for online events?
You can book and take part in our online events from anywhere in the world. Be sure to consider time differences – all start times listed are GMT. All sessions are delivered in English.
Where can I watch films of productions?
There is a large collection of productions available to buy and rent on Globe Player, our video-on-demand service. Details of all of these, along with other streaming projects and services, can be found on the ‘watch’ section of our website. You can also browse future online or on site performances via What’s On by filtering venue ‘At Home’. We are streaming a selection of productions this year as part of our Summer 2021 season. Don’t forget to join our mailing list to keep up to date with announcements of new productions and film releases.
Where can I get support whilst watching a live stream?
We have a separate list of FAQs if you are accessing one of our live streams in 2021.
What education activities are currently available?
You can use our website to access teaching resources that are free to download and use from anywhere in the world. Visit the Learn section of our website to see everything currently available for schools and higher education institutions. We can deliver education activities online and (are now taking enquiries for those) at Shakespeare’s Globe and in schools – get in touch to find out more. You can also browse online CPD events via the website’s What’s On, just filter by ‘Courses’. Don’t forget to join our mailing list just for teachers and we will send you educational resources and information each month.
Can I bring my school group to a performance this year?
Yes, you can now book for Summer 2021 productions and tours – we can book a maximum group of 66 people per live show, with students seated in a bubble configuration, and a maximum group size of 90 people for Guided Tours. From 30 August 2021, bubble configurations are planned to end and you will be able to book as per our normal seating configuration. The school rate for performances is £15 per student with one free ticket for every 11 booked. The school rate is available for Lower Bays A/B/P/Q and Upper Bays A/B/C/N/P/Q. For Guided Tours, every 16 tickets purchased, one of these is free. The group price includes £1 off the standard price (Adults £16 and Children £9).
Are the workshops accessible for people with physical disabilities?
All we ask is that you let us know how many, if any, members of your group have access needs prior to the date of your booking. For any complex needs please contact [email protected]
Can teachers come for a pre-visit before the day of our workshop?
Once your booking is confirmed and payment has been received, we can accommodate a walk through your visit. Please be aware that we cannot show you specific workshop spaces, as these will be in use by other groups. Please call to let us know when you would like to come for your pre-visit at least 10 days in advance. We also provide a risk assessment for the Globe site on our website.
Can workshops be tailored for learners with Special Educational Needs?
The Globe wishes to be open and accessible to all and all of our workshops can be tailored to cater for a range of Special Educational Needs. In order to achieve this, we ask that you provide us with detailed information about your party’s requirements as soon as is possible. This should include information on how support is currently offered in your classrooms. This will enable our practitioners to work with the adaptations that your school has already put in place. We also recommend for groups with high numbers of learners with Special Educational Needs that there be 20 learners per group rather than 30. Furthermore, we will ensure that teachers and staff are provided with the appropriate material to prepare both themselves and their learners for a visit to Shakespeare’s Globe. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions.
Do teachers need to attend the school workshops?
We do insist that at least one staff member/accompanying adult attend each workshop and that all accompanying adults be in the room at all times. We encourage teachers to actively support the learners throughout.
Is filming or photography allowed in the workshop?
Filming of Shakespeare’s Globe education sessions is strictly prohibited. Photography may be permitted for personal use and at the discretion of the practitioner. Please ensure any photography permitted by a practitioner is not intrusive to the workshop. Please alert us to any possible press/PR around your event at the time of booking. Requests for marketing/publicity material (including photos, biographies/CVs of practitioners) must also be made to Shakespeare’s Globe at the time of booking. We are afraid we cannot permit the use of Shakespeare’s Globe’s logo.
Who will be delivering the session?
Your session will be delivered by a trained Globe Education Practitioner. Practitioner(s) will be selected based on the information provided by the customer to meet the specific requirements of the groups, and they will be fully briefed as to your requirements. All practitioners have an enhanced DBS certificate. We send DBS certificate number and date of issue in advance of workshops. As our practitioners are freelancers, we will not usually be able to provide details of the person delivering your workshop far in advance. However, Shakespeare’s Globe will confirm the name of the practitioner as soon as possible to enable travel and accommodation (where necessary) to be booked.
