For some 500 years, London has been a thriving hotbed of theatre, filling the playhouses with the work of playwrights new and old. In terms of sheer spectacle though, nowhere can best The Globe, the stunning replica of an Elizabethan playhouse that premiered many of Shakespeare’s best-loved works. Famed for their outdoor performances of The Bard’s classics, an evening at The Globe is a theatrical experience like no other. Here’s all you need to know!
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The Globe overview:
We’ll clear up one misconception straight away: Shakespeare never actually set foot in The Globe, despite it often being referred to as ‘Shakespeare’s Globe’. The Globe is a meticulously constructed replica of the original Globe Theatre, which opened in 1599 on a site a few hundred metres away from its modern equivalent.
The original theatre had a colourful history; constructed from the timbers of The Curtain (London’s second ever theatre), it was set on fire by an errant cannon during a production of Henry VIII in 1613, rebuilt the following year, and eventually torn down by the notoriously fun-averse Puritans in 1644.
The modern version was the vision of legendary American actor and director Sam Wanamaker, who spent some 23 years researching, designing, and fundraising for the project. Sadly, he never saw it finished; work on The Globe was completed in 1997, some three and a half years after Wanamaker’s death. To commemorate his work, one of The Globe’s two theatres bears his name – the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is a candlelit space inspired by the indoor playhouses of Jacobean London.
The other theatre is the Globe Theatre, the circular outdoor theatre which draws most of the attention, and plays host to productions from April to October (the Wanamaker Playhouse hosts winter shows between November and April). Together, the two spaces offer a programme of theatre determined by the Globe’s artistic director, a post occupied by such luminaries as Oscar-winning actor Mark Rylance.
The current artistic director, Michelle Terry, intends to modernise The Globe’s output by using methods including directorless, actor-led productions, genderblind casting, and a strong commitment to diversity – which means these plays are unlike any Shakespeare you’ve seen before.
Things to see at The Globe:
It’s the theatre, dahling, so you’ll most likely end up watching a play or two. Productions run throughout the year, following the structure of a summer season (mostly hosted in the Globe Theatre) and a winter season (usually housed in the Wanamaker Playhouse). For the best experience of theatre as it was in Shakespeare’s day, you’ll want a standing ticket for a show in the Globe Theatre, peering up at the ornate stage in a unique approximation of historical London theatre.
Productions run throughout the year, and unsurprisingly tend to ramp up in the summer (don’t worry, we’ll get to the upcoming shows shortly). The Globe really do go above and beyond in trying to accommodate all kinds of theatregoers – not only do they offer British Sign Language performances and captioned performances for the deaf or hard of hearing, but they also run audio-described shows for those with declining sight, and relaxed performances for those with autism, learning disorders, or sensory and communication disabilities. Which really is jolly decent of them. For more information, visit their website.
If you’re not here for a play, you can undertake a guided tour of The Globe, tracing the history of the theatre through a series of colourful stories. The theatre also offers a wide range of talks, including a fascinating Ask The Actor series, special events, poetry nights, and workshops. Back in the realm of the theatrical, The Globe’s ‘Read Not Dead’ series gives actors one morning to rehearse a forgotten play, and then perform it in the afternoon in a laidback setting.
Current and upcoming productions at The Globe:
From gripping history plays to outrageous comedies, there’s something for every audience at The Globe, and here are some of the best upcoming productions planned to hit their legendary stages this year:
Much Ado Without Nothing (12 June – 24 August at Globe Theatre): A timeless romantic comedy about young lovers Claudio and Hero, discovering life and love in a post-war Italy. Tickets and more info.
Richard III (19 June – 3 August at Globe Theatre): An epic Shakespearean classic about the destructive life of Richard III, as the karmic reactions of his ambition catch up with him. Tickets and more info.
The Taming of the Shrew (11 June – 26 October at Globe Theatre): An absurd carnival will take over The Globe to tell this legendary tale (and hilarious comedy) from Shakespeare. Tickets and more info.
Rough Magic (20 July – 24 August at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse): If you’re a fan of the notorious witches from Macbeth, this ooky-spooky, family-friendly production is sure to please. Tickets and more info.
Anthony & Cleopatra (4 August – 15 September at Globe Theatre): This romantic story of love, duty, and power is making its anticipated return to The Globe for the first time in ten years. Tickets and more info.
The Comedy of Errors (21 August – 27 October at Globe Theatre): Another comedy to conclude the summer months at The Globe, transporting you back to Elizabethan London. Tickets and more info.
Princess Essex (13 September – 26 October at Globe Theatre): This music-fuelled play based on the incredible true story of the first woman of colour to enter a beauty pageant. Tickets and more info.
When to visit The Globe:
You can’t really limit good theatre to a certain time, but as I’ve mentioned, the summer season is possibly the best time to visit. Watching live theatre in the summer sunshine (hopefully), standing in the yard just as audiences would have in Shakespeare’s day, is honestly an experience every London resident and visitor should have. Plus, with prices starting at only £5 for a standing ticket, trips to The Globe certainly aren’t going to break the bank.
The Globe normally run a few special events throughout the year, with the undisputed faves happening around Shakespeare’s birthday (widely accepted to be April 23), including their long-running Shakespeare Walks, where you can embark upon a two-hour tour of Shakespeare’s London, brought to life by a company of twenty-two actors, and ending up at The Globe. There are also specially curated tours connected to the current productions, historic dates, and so much more on their impressive roster of events.
Restaurants, pubs, and bars near The Globe
You don’t even need to leave The Globe to be fed and watered: the in-house Swan Restaurant makes use of locally sourced produce to deliver modern British cuisine.
The restaurant also offers fun (and themed) afternoon teas, which really is the food of love in our opinion (yes, I that’s a Twelfth Night quote, sue me). For a pre-theatre libation, check out the Swan Bar’s range of cocktails, which includes the intriguing prospect of a Rhubarb Negroni.
Away from The Globe itself, you’ll find a whole host of restaurants in which to sate your appetite before or after the show. Delicious small plates take centre stage at nearby Lupins, and a branch of London favourite Caravan is close by too.
A wander up the South Bank will take you to a whole range of riverside bars, or you can head the other direction towards London Bridge and Borough Market – handily, we’ve got a guide to the best pubs in the area. As Shakespeare himself once wrote, “Good company, good wine, good welcome can make good people”!
The Globe visitor information:
Bowled over by the prospect of open-air Shakespeare? Here are all the useful visitor details you need to know about The Globe. 
Location: 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT. See it on Google Maps.
Nearest stations: Southwark, London Bridge, and Blackfriars.
Price: at the Globe Theatre, you’ll pay just £5 for a standing ticket – or you can opt for a seat in the gallery, which begins at £23. In the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, standing tickets are £10, and seated tickets begin at £20.
Opening times: during the summer season, matinees begin around 1-2pm, evening shows anywhere between 6:30-8pm. Box office hours are 10am-6pm, tours run daily from 9:30am-5pm, but are subject to performance schedules.
More information: available on their website.
More London attractions to visit:
Because we know you love exploring London, we’ve created some handy guides to the city’s best landmarks and tourist attractions.
🏛 British Museum: the massive museum that’s home to 7 million objects
🌲 Kew Gardens: London’s legendary botanical garden is a plant paradise
👀 View from the Shard: the highest viewpoint in London with a sky-high cocktail bar