LONDON WEEKEND BREAKS

Shakespeare's New Globe Theatre

Shakespeare's "new" Globe can be found on the Southbank of the river Thames. The theatre was openned in 1997 and it represents an exact reconstruction of the second Globe Theatre that was built in the early seventeenth century. Today the Globe is a distinctive landmark overlooking the river Thames.

Shakespeare's Globe would probably never have been built had it not been for the intervention of American actor and director Sam Wanamaker.

Wanamaker foundered a theatre trust with the objective of reconstructing an exact copy of the original Globe Theatre. The idea was to site the new theatre in the same position as the original one, however the widening of the Thames that has taken place over the last few hundred years meant that the original location was now within the river.

For this reason the new Globe is approximately 250 yards from the site of the original. Wanamaker's vision took many years to see fruition, but after wide support and extensive planning research it was completed in 1997.

The original Globe

There were actually two Globe theatres that predate the new version. The origianl was a late sixteenth century building that caught fire and burnt to the ground in 1613, just 14 years after it was openned.

The second Globe was a rebuilding of the first one which took place the following year (1614), however by 1644 it had been demolished. It would be around 350 years before a new Globe Theatre occupied London again.

The Twentieth century Shakespeare's Globe

The current (and third) Globe theatre is a facsimile and reconstruction of the second 1614 version of the theatre.

The Shakespeare's Globe took over 20 years to plan and research and John Orrell was the man responsible for finding and disseminating the original designs. The project architect was Theo Crosby.

Structurally all of the load bearing components are made of genuine English Oak and the building is topped by a perimeter thatched roof. This leaves the central area of the theatre open to the elements. When in use the theatre can seat approximately 850 people with additional room for up to 700 people in the pit.

Appearance

The Shakespeare's Globe has a highly unique white external facade which combines with a semi open thatched roof. Within, a platform stage sits projecting into the circular amphitheatre and this is over looked by three ascending levels of terraced seating. These seats offer the best view of all proceedings.

In keeping with the 1614 Globe Theatre both the stage area and the terraces of seating are protected from the elements (although the central area is not). The seating is in the form of timber benches that duplicate the original building's accommodation – there are no cushions.

Performances

Shakespearian performances take place during the day (and some evenings) throughout the summer months, i.e. from May to October. You will need to pre-book in order to see a performance.

The theatre does not use any electric sound amplification or any high illumination spotlights. Everything about the theatre and its many performances are intended to take the theatre-goer back in time. The idea is that a true experience of how a recital would have been experienced in the seventeenth century can be appreciated in the twenty first century.

Other facilities

Tours of Shakespeare's Globe operate daily throughout the year and they are both interesting and educational. They will appeal to most age groups.

The overall theatre complex has a modern reception and visitor's zone (annex) and facilities include a restaurant and a gift shop. The nearest tube station is London Bridge.