a visit to the globe theatre

The Secret London Guide To The Globe

The world's a stage, especially at The Globe, a stunning replica of an Elizabethan playhouse that's nestled on the River Thames.

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!

Table Of Contents

The Globe overview:

Things to see at the globe:, current and upcoming productions at the globe:, when to visit the globe:, restaurants, pubs, and bars near the globe, the globe visitor information:, more london attractions to visit:.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

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”!

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 .

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

🎨 Tate Modern: the world’s most popular modern art gallery

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The Ultimate Guide to Visiting the Shakespeare's Globe in 2024

Shakespeare's globe ultimate guide.

Nestled near the Tate Modern and the Millennium Bridge, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre may seem a little out of place. It was, after all, designed after the original Globe Theatre which was built in 1599 (and then later rebuilt in 1614 after it was destroyed by a fire).

When it was first constructed, the Globe Theatre was located in the epicentre of London’s entertainment district on the Bankside in Southwark. Performances were put on by the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, and it is said that Shakespeare himself even sat in the theatre to watch his own performances.

The modern-day Globe Theatre is an oak-and-thatch replica of the original 1599 Elizabethan playhouse (which once sat about 200 metres from where the Globe stands today), and as a result concertgoers will feel as if they’ve been transported back to Elizabethan times when watching a performance.

Today the theatre serves as an open-air venue dedicated to the work of Shakespeare, and some of the many performances visitors can still watch at the playhouse include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Macbeth, The Taming of the Shrew, and many, many more. Depending on the time of year, several plays, operas, comedy shows and candlelit concerts are held inside the playhouse as well.

Visitors can sit on the wooden benches (which can sit up to 340 people) surrounding the stage, or in any of the two tiers of galleried seating, and there are also productions, talks and courses held in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse (a candlelit indoor theatre located inside the Globe’s building). Attendees can even stand in the yard directly in front of the stage, just as they did in the original theatre during Elizabethan times. It's a great place to visit on your own or with a guide on a walking tour, so you can dive into the history of arts in London.

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Highlights

Not only does the Globe Theatre host numerous performances throughout the year, especially during the summer months, but they also offer talks, courses, and exhibitions.

Additionally, there are guided tours that can be booked in advance:

• Shakespeare’s Globe Story & Tour: A 2-hour immersive journey into Shakespeare’s London, including access to the exhibition space. Visitors will learn about the theatre's history, from its original construction in 1599 to its modern reconstruction, through interactive displays, costumes, and props. Suitable for all ages, the tour is conducted in English with multilingual information sheets available.
• Themed Guided Tours: These tours are related to specific plays and might include the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. Visitors learn about a specific play and see costume and prop collections used in the theatre's performances.
• Group Guided Tours : These are on demand tours up to 30 people that can be booked on your preferred dates.

If you can't find a seat for a performance or join a tour, the Globe Theatre shop is open every day and offers interesting souvenirs, including real props used in the plays.

Special Tips

Getting There

Visiting the globe theatre.

Be sure to check the weather forecast before booking your tickets, as the standing area is open-air and exposed to the elements. Since umbrellas are not allowed, it's wise to bring a raincoat and warm shoes. If you’re worried about standing in the rain, there are seats available that are protected under a sound roof.

Keep in mind that the cloakroom is closed, so you’ll need to store any large bags offsite. Only necessary medical equipment and buggies are permitted. Photography and video recording are not allowed during workshops, performances, screenings, or tours, and photography may be restricted at certain times.

Assisted performances, such as relaxed, captioned, audio-described, and signed, are available. Check the official website in advance to book your spot.

The Swan Bar & Restaurant, located next to Shakespeare’s Globe, offers indoor and outdoor seating with stunning views of St. Paul’s Cathedral across the river. They serve drinks, dining, afternoon tea, weekend brunch, Sunday roasts, and more.

If you plan to visit the shop, please note that it currently only accepts contactless payments.

Ticket prices and Opening hours

Due to the open-air nature of the Globe Theatre, most performances are held from mid-April to mid-October. During the winter season, many performances take place in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, with a few special events held in the Globe Theatre itself.

The Shakespeare’s Globe Story & Tour runs year-round and is usually available several times a day. Visitors must book their time slot in advance through the official website . The prices for the tour are as follows:

• Under 16: £20

All tours can be booked with a 10% donation, and transactions through the website incur a £2.50 commission fee.

For Shakespeare performances, seat ticket costs range depending on visibility. There are 700 standing tickets available (which offer the best views of the stage) and cost £5 each. Seating tickets for the lower, middle and upper galleries cost anywhere between £25 and £75.

Are you visiting The Globe Theatre? You might also want to check out some of the many free tours in London departing every day.

Free Tours in Your Language

Guide To Shakespeare’s Globe Theater In London

All the world’s a stage at Shakespeare’s Globe Theater in London.

If you’re fascinated with playwright William Shakespeare, you’ll likely be fascinated with his namesake Globe Theater in London and want to visit.

It’s a unique theatrical space that’s an epicenter of London history associated with the bard. The reconstructed open air theater is a half-timbered and thatched roof reconstruction of the old theater where Shakespeare acted and directed.

It was an Elizabethan style theater in the round, hence the term “globe.” The theater’s debut play was  Julius Caesar. Most of Shakespeare’s tragedies were specifically written for the Globe.

This Globe Theater guide gives you a history of Shakespeare, the Globe, and tells you everything to see inside.

Who Was William Shakespeare ?

Who art though, William Shakespeare? Friends and countrymen, lend me your ears for the tall tale.

Shakespeare was born in 1564 in the town of Stratford-Upon-Avon, just a short jog from London. He was born to a glove maker, but disliked both his father and the trade.

In 1582, Shakespeare married Ann Hathaway when he was 18 and they had three children. The novel Hamnet would have you think that, perhaps, it was a love match with Shakespeare wearing his heart on his sleeve. Certainly, the pair played fast and loose because Ann was pregnant when they married.

But, not afraid of greatness and with only modest doubt, Shakespeare decided to suffer a sea-change hoping for something rich and strange.

He left his family to try to make a living based on the stuff dreams are made on. He became an actor, playwright, theater manager, and theater owner in London.

By 1592, Shakespeare had hit the big time. He did not have greatness thrust upon him. He was simply brilliant and deserved his accolades.

Shakespeare became renowned in his time, leading a charmed life. He’s now considered the greatest dramatist of all time and perhaps the best author in any language.

Shakespeare wrote 37 plays and 154 sonnets. He even invented words we still use today.

The bard is still popular because he wrote about timeless themes and what fools these mortals be. His subjects were the guts of life — love, death, revenge, hate, and the royal throne of kings on the sceptered isle.

But every why hath a wherefore. Very little is known about Shakespeare’s life and personality. There are no diaries or memoirs.

Did Shakespeare even write his own plays? That’s been the fraught subject of academic fury, with conspiracy theories cropping up like a twice told tale, vexing the ear of a a drowsy man.

Ardent Stratfordians give a resounding “yes” in answer to the question. But, yet, there are strange bedfellows whose misery begs to disagree.

Thought is free. And so some waspish scholars have gone on a wild goose chase speculating that Shakespeare had from help others or, alack, that others did the deed.

Included on the list of supposed co-authors are such luminaries as Christopher Marlow, Francis Bacon, the Earl Of Oxford, or even a Jewish-Venetian woman named Amelia Bassano.

But proving a single person wrote X play is an elusive task.

Creative workshops were the rule in early modern theater, as in Leonardo da Vinci’s Renaissance workshops in Florence and Milan . It’s possible that Shakespeare collaborated with other people or rivals on his plays, just as Leonardo did on his paintings.

Most of the authorship theories have been widely dismissed, as pricks that did not poison. And really, what’s in a name? The play’s the thing in the end.

History of Shakespeare’s Globe Theater

The globe’s success.

The first Globe Theater opened in 1599. It was owned by and built for actors.

The Globe was built outside the walls of ancient Londinium on the south side of the Thames. Government officials didn’t cotton to the idea of a bawdy playhouse in the center of town.

The Globe’s debut play was Julius Caesar , a play that for my own part was once Greek to me as a youth. The theater originally accommodated 2,200 seated and another 1,000 standing.

Music, the food of love, played during the play and at intermission.

For 14 years, the Globe was a huge success. The theater was referred to as “the glory of the Bank,” bringing the merry man everlasting joy.

Fire & Rebuilding

But, in 1613, it was double double toil and trouble. During a performance of Henry VIII , the thatched roof caught fire in a cauldron bubble and destroyed the building.

The theater vanished into thin air. It was the winter of Shakespeare’s discontent.

But the two fire exits allowed the company time to save its precious scripts and costumes. As night follows day, the theater was rebuilt within a year by a band of brothers with a giant’s strength.

It reopened in June 1614. And the theater had not lost her lustre.

The new Globe Theater had a much larger roof, more noble than the earth. It was tiled instead of thatched, to protect against fire. It was decorated inside in riotous colors, as was the fashion of the day for theaters.

In 1642, the Globe Theater was closed down by the Puritans during the Elizabethan era. The goatish Puritans thought entertainment had little value. They also didn’t like the gamblers, rogues, and prostitutes the theaters attracted.

There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so. Thus, the theater was eventually demolished. And the Puritans too, because no evil lost is wailed when it is gone.

The Wanamaker Plan

Enter Sam Wanamaker. He was an American actor-director who though it a form of treason that there was no proper commemorating monument to Shakespeare in London.

All he saw was a blackened sign on a brick wall saying “This is on or around where Shakespeare had his Globe.”

Dauntless and casting all doubt aside, Wanamaker was determined to recreate the Globe Theater. It became his lifelong obsession, dreamt of in his philosophy.

But English miscreants weren’t thrilled with an American intervening. Sharper than a serpent’s tooth, they grumbled “off with his head … we have seen better days.”

But ambition is made of sterner stuff and, with money, all ways lie open. It took over 27 years for Wanamaker’s idea to come to fruition.

The project survived many a tempest. Methinks it had some wondering whether the new theater was to be or not to be. But Wanamaker taught green-eyed beasts to know their friends.

In the end, their outcry was all sound and fury, signifying nothing and achieving nothing.

As with any decent Shakespearean hero, Wanamaker died before the new theater was completed. While parting is such sweet sorrow, his building continued as he envisioned.

The New Globe Theater

Using Elizabethan building techniques, the architects re-created a 20 sided roofless theater. After an absence of nearly 400 years from London’s theater scene, the Globe Theater rose like a phoenix in 1997.

Striving to thine own selves to be true, the architects embraced authenticity. Past is prologue, after all.

They kept the original whitewashed half timber walls, thatched roof crown, lime-plaster walls, and wooden seats. The thatched roof was the first one built since the Great Fire of London in 1666.

In an ode to modernity, it’s treated with fire retardant chemicals. Modern sprinklers also are set into the roof, proving men at some time are masters of their fate.

The Globe reconstruction essentially parallels a new trend in the arts. It’s an attempt to return to the original instruments and ways of staging, so that Shakespeare’s plays may be interpreted afresh.

With the exception, naturally, that women, the very sparkle of the right Promethean fire, now act on stage.

For safety reasons, the Globe now only seats 1,500 people.

Does the Globe Theater we see today really look like it did in the 17th century?

What the dickens, that’s a ball of mingled yard too. Along with other enduring Shakespeare controversies — dubbed “Bardalotry” — there’s disagreement about his titular theater.

Much about the original theater remains shrouded in mystery, a smoke made with the fume of sighs. There are no surviving contemporaneous drawings.

The theater was roughly based on drawings of the Rose Theater, a theater that existed at the same time as the Globe. Though the Rose fell on ill fate with the Globe’s success, being shut like a book.

It’s known that Globe was in the shape of a polygon, like the Rose. How many sides in the polygon is a matter of an academic fight to the last gasp.

In the final analysis, preservationists did their best to recreate the drama and atmospherics of Shakespeare’s time. A rose by any other name smells just as sweet.

Tickets & Tours For The Globe Theater

My dear readers, you can book guided tours  of the Globe Theater complex. On a tour, you’ll visit the open air theater, the box office, and the theater.

You can also book a Shakespeare-themed walking tour in London . Or a literary tour that includes the Globe and Charles Dickens House . The Globe is also free with the London Pass .

There are also 45 minute public tours that leave every 30 minutes. They leave from the column with the words “ Out Damn Spot ” from MacBeth on the first floor.

The storytelling guides vividly recount colorful stories of the Elizabethan playhouse, the London Shakespeare would have known, and the Globe reconstruction process in the 1990s.

On a tour, you’ll see the stage and various viewing areas for different classes of people. However, you can’t walk on the stage or see the dressing rooms.

You may even get lucky and see actors rehearsing their scenes. With the luck of the fair goddess Fortune, I was fortunate to see a fight scene from MacBeth.

Guide To The Globe Theater: What To See

In mine eye’s clear eye, here are the things to see on a visit to Shakespeare’s Globe Theater.

1. The Stage

There’s a rectangular wooden stage about 44.5 feet by 25 feet. The stage is supported by two pillars. As in the 17th century, they are painted to imitate red marble.

There are three entrances to the stage, with the largest one in the center. Pushing aside the saying that all that glisters is not gold, they went for historically accurate gaudy decorations and riotous color.

The entrances are framed by faux marble columns. On the second level, two gods from the classical world flank the stage. Apollo is stage right and Mercury is stage left.

The stage is stopped with a roof. The underside is painted. The design is taken from text about an Elizabethan theater in 1594.

In the center is a sunburst. It hides the trap door used for special effects. Signs of the zodiac are flanked by the sun and moon.

2. Galleries

The theater boxes are on three levels, as were all playhouses back in the day.

The aristocrats’ seats were on the second level to the left and right of the stage. They’re not what we would think of as the best seats in the house. But, back then, people went to “hear” a play.

These seats also had the advantage of avoiding the heat of the sun that fell on seats opposite the stage. Plus, they were the best place for the glitterati to see and be seen.

Seats opposite the stage were for the everyday men and women. There were no bathrooms in the theater. My guide informed us that people would discretely pee in their seats and dump hazelnuts on the floor.

There was no limit on attendees. Everyone crammed in tightly.

There were standing spaces in the back of the gallery called the yard or pit. This was the cheapest part of the theater.

Attendees who stood there were called “groundlings” or sometimes “stinkers.” They are known for being loud, boisterous, and hot tempered. You can still be a groundling at the Globe today.

3. Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

Towards the end of his life, Shakespeare wrote plays that seemed intended to be performed indoors, like The Winter’s Tale and The Tempest .

So Wanamaker wanted both an outdoor theater and an indoor theater in his new complex.

But, as the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune would dictate, there was even less historical information about indoor theaters.

They decided to use plans found among the papers of 17th century architect Indigo Jones.

The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse , though modern, is most often lit by beeswax candles in seven chandeliers and in sconces off the pillars.

4. Seeing A Play At The Globe Theater

Seeing a play at the Globe Theater is different in every way from your typical theater experience.

Consistent with the institutional mission, the plays are staged the same way they were in Shakespeare’s day. There are no stage sets, decor, microphones, spotlights, or other flashy pyrotechnics.

Under the “shared light” principle of Elizabethan times, the audience doesn’t sit in darkness. They are illuminated by the same light as the actors, creating a more intimate experience while they watch the players playing many parts.

At the end of the performance, when the jig is up, the actors don’t bow. Rather, in time honored tradition, there is a jig at the end of the gig.

The Globe offers up a true celebration of live performance, perhaps made more real in a time of virtual reality. As a bonus, the Globe’s ticket prices are lower than theaters in the West End.

From April to October, performances are in the Globe Theater. Concerts and plays take place in the Wanamaker Playhouse throughout the year.

Click here to see what’s on, if you want to attend a play.

Practical Guide & Tips For Visiting Shakespeare’s Globe Theater

Address : 21 New Globe Walk

Hours : The box office is open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Hours to visit the theater vary depending on whether there is a performance. So check the website .

Ticket Price :

£ 17.00 for a 45 minute guided tour. You can’t wander around on your own.

You have free admission with the London Pass . But you will have to take your pass to the box office and exchange it for a paper ticket to hand to your guide. Leave a bit of time for this process.

Cafe & Shop : You can get refreshments, snacks, or afternoon tea at the onsite Swan Cafe . The Globe Theater also has a wonderful bookshop stuffed with all sorts of Shakespeare paraphanalia and books.

Hop On Hop Off : The Globe is a stop on the hop on hop off river boat .

Tube Stations : London Bridge, St. Paul’s, Mansion House

Where To Stay Near The Globe Theater

If you want to stay near the Globe, which is near so many of London’s attractions, you have plenty of choices. The Bankside Hotel Autograph Collection is a luxury hotel less than a half mile from the globe.

Vintry & Mercer is a beautiful hotel just across the Millennium Bridge. Novotel London Bridge a chic spot nearby too.

And thereby hangs a tale. I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to visiting Shakespeare’s Globe Theater. But the game is up and I conclude now because brevity is the soul of wit.

You may enjoy these other London travel guides and resources:

• 3 Day Itinerary for London
• 5 Day Itinerary for London
• Harry Potter Places in London
• Guide to the National Gallery of Art
• Guide to St. Paul’s Cathedral
• Guide to the Tate Britain
• Guide to Wesminster Abbey
• London Tourist Traps To Avoid
• Guide To Free Museums in London
• Guide to the Tower of London
• Guide to the Churchill War Rooms

If you’d like to visit the Shakespeare’s Globe in London, pin it for later.

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Last Updated on October 27, 2023 by Leslie Livingston

Top Sight Tours Group

Guide to The Globe

All the world’s a stage, especially at The Globe. For some 500 years, London has been a flourishing hotbed of theatre arts, filling the playhouses with the work of playwrights new and old. In terms of both drama and history however, nothing can compete with the Globe Theatre, a stunning replica of an Elizabethan playhouse that premiered many of Shakespeare’s best-loved works.Visit the reconstruction of Shakespeare’s historic 16th-century playhouse after reading these Top Sights Facts about one of the best play houses in all of London. 

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 ,

The original Globe Theatre was built between 1597 and 1599 in Southwark on the south bank of London’s River Thames, funded by Richard Burbage and built by carpenter Peter Smith and his workers . The timber for The Globe Theatre was actually reused wood from “The Theatre” – an earlier theatre owned by Richard Burbage’s father. The Globe was built as a large, round, open air theatre. There was a roof around the circumference which covered the seating area, leaving the theatre looking like a doughnut from above, and the architectural style of The Globe was similar to the Coliseum in Rome, but on a smaller scale – other Elizabethan theatres also followed this style of architecture which were called amphitheatres. Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is an open-air playhouse built as a reconstruction of the building where the great playwright penned many of his plays. The Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre Tour introduces visitors to all aspects of the Globe, historical and contemporary, including Sam Wanamaker’s epic struggle to recreate the theatre from the 1599 original.

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. In1970 Wanamaker’s career took a dramatic turn after he was annoyed by the fact that while a number of replicas of the Globe Theatre existed in America, the actual site of the original in London was marked by only a plaque on a nearby brewery. He then made it his single-minded goal to restore an exact replica of the Globe to feature plays and a museum.

It became Wanamaker’s “great obsession” to restore Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre at its original location. And he secured financial support from philanthropists and fellow lovers of Shakespeare, such as  Samuel H. Scripps , to see that it would be created. [4]  Wanamaker then founded the Shakespeare Globe Trust, which raised well over ten million dollars

 Sam made his  home  in England, revealing in many Shakespearean roles. His idea to reconstruct a New Globe Theatre took years to bring to life. Although people liked the idea there was a problem in obtaining the necessary finance to complete such a project. The New Globe History made a major leap when in 1969 Sam Wanamaker started actively campaigning to reconstruct a replica of the original Globe theatre as used by William Shakespeare. Sadly Sam died in 1993 so he died not see the inauguration of the New Globe Theatre. The events that lead to the inauguration are detailed in a timeline of the New Globe Theatre History

Horribly, 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.

As the Globe Theatre has no roof, the shows have to consider all weathers when they conjure up the overall vision and how a story will be told. To ensure that the mood was created, actors would use drums to represent thunder, gunpowder and firecrackers to create crackling sounds, as well as cannonballs to make powerful sounds. The cacophony of sounds that came from early productions at the Globe were created through using resources around them.

Things to see at The Globe

Productions run throughout the year. This year, the summer season begins on April 23rd . The Globe really does go above and beyond in trying to accommodate all kinds of audience members with specific tweaks for accessibility in their theatre. 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.  The theatre also offers a wide range of talks, including a fascinating Ask The Actor series, special events, poetry nights, and workshops.  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. The Read Not Dead ground rules are simple. Actors rehearse the play on a Sunday morning and present it, script in hand, to an audience later that afternoon.The performances are instinctive, adrenaline driven and inventive. Actors and audiences alike share in the excitement of reviving these forgotten plays that definitely deserve to be Read Not Dead. The Read Not Dead project is run by Shakespeares Globe and was launched in 1995 to stage readings with professional casts of all surviving plays that were produced between 1567 and 1642. This spring’s series includes an 18th century adaptation of Webster’s The Duchess of Malfi as well as plays by Beaumont and Marston.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 Globe Theatre is open all year, with productions playing in the main auditorium from April to October and the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse from November to April. If you’re wanting to get into the mind and life of the talented British laureate, why not book your tickets now for a Shakespeare’s Globe Tour? Filled with information about Shakespeare, theatre and what it was like to go to the Globe in the 17th century, the tour will leave you wanting to recite Shakespearean passages to all your friends!

The Globe normally run a few special events around Shakespeare’s birthday (widely accepted to be April 23).

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Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

Third time's a charm: the when, how, and why behind shakespeare's globe theatre.

• In this section

Building the First Globe Theatre

The story of the Globe Theatre starts with William Shakespeare 's acting company The Lord Chamberlain's Men. Shakespeare was a part-owner, or sharer, in the company, as well as an actor and the resident playwright. From its inception in 1594, the Lord Chamberlain's Men performed at The Theatre, a playhouse located in Shoreditch. However, by 1598 their patrons, including the Earl of Southampton , had fallen out of favour with the Queen. The Theatre's landlord, Giles Alleyn, had intentions to cancel the company's lease and tear the building down.

While Alleyn did own the land, he did not own the materials with which The Theatre had been built. So, on 28 December 1598, after leasing a new site in Southwark, Cuthbert and Richard Burbage led the rest of the company of actors, sharers, and volunteers in taking the building down timber by timber, loading it on to barges, and making their way across the Thames. Working together, the actors built the new theatre as quickly as they could.

The ground on the new site was marshy and prone to flooding, but foundations were built by digging trenches, filling them with limestone, constructing brick walls above the stone, and then raising wooden beams on top of that. A funnel caught the rainwater and drained it into the ditch surrounding the theatre and down into the Thames.

The theatre was 30 metres in diameter and had 20 sides, giving it its perceived circular shape. The structure was similar to that of their old theatre, as well as that of the neighbouring bear garden. The rectangular stage, at five feet high, projected halfway into the yard and the circular galleries. The pillars were painted to look like Italian marble, the sky painted midnight blue, and images of the gods overlooked the balcony. It could hold up to 3,000 people.

By May 1599, the new theatre was ready to be opened. Burbage named it the Globe after the figure of Hercules carrying the globe on his back - for in like manner the actors carried the Globe's framework on their backs across the Thames. A flag of Hercules with the globe was raised above the theatre with the Latin motto 'totus mundus agit histrionem', or 'all the world's a playhouse'. 

Shakespeare's plays that were performed there early on included:  Henry V ,  Julius Caesar ,  As You Like It ,  Hamlet ,  Measure for Measure ,   Othello ,  King Lear ,  Macbeth , and  Antony and Cleopatra . Here the Lord Chamberlain's Men enjoyed much success and gained the patronage of King James I in 1603, subsequently becoming The King's Men.

Disaster at the Globe

During the fateful performance of  Henry VIII   on 29 June 1613, the cannon announcing the unexpected arrival of the king at the end of Act 1 set fire to the thatched roof, and within an hour the Globe burned to the ground. Everyone escaped safely, save for one man whose breeches reportedly caught fire. Two different songs had been written about it by the next day.

The Globe was rebuilt by February 1614; the company could then afford to decorate it much more extravagantly, and it had a tiled roof instead of thatched. However, by this point Shakespeare's influence had lessened, and he was spending more and more time back in  Stratford-upon-Avon .

Disaster struck again in the 1642 when parliament ordered the closure of London theatres. In 1644-5 the Globe was destroyed and the land sold for building.

Shakespeare's Globe Today

In 1970, an American actor and director Samuel Wanamaker set up the Shakespeare's Globe Trust to pursue his dream of reconstructing the original Globe Theatre. For what would be almost the next 30 years, he and his team worked and fought to obtain the permissions, funds, and research necessary for a project of this scope. 

Historians, scholars, and architects all worked together in their efforts to build the Globe in the same way the Lord Chamberlain's Men did, down to the green oak pillars and thatched roof. Their work and dreams were fulfilled when the new Globe Theatre opened in 1997, one street away from where the original stood. The Globe stands today as a living monument to Shakespeare, the greatest English playwright, home to productions of his plays and many other new ones every season.

Help keep Shakespeare's story alive

More like this, go behind the scenes, shakespeare's birthplace, anne hathaway's cottage, shakespeare's new place.

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Your Complete Guide To Visiting The Shakespeare Globe Theatre, London

Things to do in London London Attractions Landmarks in London Shakespeare Globe Theatre Tours & Tickets

Get ready to witness the greatest of Shakespeare's plays at Shakespeare's Globe including Much Ado About Nothing , Henry VIII , The Tempest , Julius Caesar , and King Lear. A new play about Joan of Arc called I, Joan will also be staged at Shakespeare's Globe in summer 2022. Watch the bard's greatest works the way they were intended to be watched in the majestic wooden 'O'.

Shakespeare Globe Theatre London - In a Nutshell

Opening hours.

Monday to Friday: 11 AM - 6 PM Saturdays: 10 AM - 6 PM Sunday: 10 AM - 5 PM

Know before you go

Best time to visit: June - August Starting Prices for Shakespeare Globe Theatre London Tickets cost £30 for an adult Suggested duration: Most plays are about 1 hour duration Location: London

21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT, United Kingdom Just a 3-minute walk from the Millennium Bridge. Get there

Book Shakespeare Globe tickets and save £7 using promo code GOLDN

Where can I buy London Shakespeare Globe Theatre Tickets?

You can purchase Shakespeare Globe Tickets online and skip the hassle of waiting in queues at the ticket counter. Once you complete purchasing the Shakespeare Globe Tickets, you will receive your tickets via email. This ticket must be printed and presented at the counter for entry. Unfortunately, e-tickets are not accepted here.

Plays at Shakespeare Globe Theatre

Check out the plays currently running at the Shakespeare Globe Theatre and grab your tickets before they sell out!

Shakespeare Globe Theatre Tour Deconstructed

• The Shakespeare Globe Theatre is the ultimate ode to Shakespeare and his body of work. A perfect tour for literary and theatre enthusiasts, a visit to the theatre offers a fascinating peek into the history of English Theatre.
• The theatre is an authentic replica of the original Globe, right down to the materials used and the architecture. The building uses just wood and plaster and is closest to the historical description and archaeological remains of the old structure.
• Learn about Elizabethan Theatre and how plays were performed in the 16th century in the open-air theatre. From the creation of sound effects to the costumes and makeup, the tour offers an insight into the working of theatre.
• Discover objects, costumes, documents and other unique artefacts related to Shakespeare and the Globe in the exhibition, which is the largest exhibition dedicated to Shakespeare.

Shakespeare Globe Theatre London History

The 16th century was a dark period for theatre as it was associated with pleasures of the lowly classes. Yet, it didn’t stop the people from creating their own spaces for plays across the River Thames, outside the City walls. In 1599, Shakespeare’s play company ‘Lord Chamberlain’s Men’ built the Globe Theatre, which was burned down in a fire. The company resurrected the theatre in the same location but had to be destroyed by the Puritan government in 1642.

In 1997, Sam Wanamaker worked against the odds and replicated the Theatre in Southwark about 230 metres away from the original Globe Theatre. Today, it is a living shrine dedicated to the Shakespeare Globe Theatre history and continues to perform Shakespeare’s best plays!

Plan Your Visit

• The schedule varies on the performances and plays held in the theatre.
• However the general timings are from 11 AM to 6 PM from Monday to Friday .
• On the weekends the theatre opens at 10 AM and closes at 6 PM on Saturdays and 5 PM on Sundays .

Getting to Shakespeare Globe Theatre

By Train and Underground

Closest Underground Stations to the Shakespeare Globe Theatre - Mansion House (District & Circle Lines), Southwark (Jubilee Line), London Bridge (Northern & Jubilee Lines), and St Paul’s (Central Line)

Closest Overground Station to the Shakespeare Globe London - Cannon Street, Waterloo and London Bridge

The closest bus station is the Southwark Street stop, however these other stops are convenient and within 0.5 miles of the theatre.

• 381 to Southwark Street
• 45, 63, 100 to Blackfriars Bridge
• 15, 17 to Cannon Street
• 11, 15, 17, 23, 26, 76 to Mansion House
• 344 to Southwark Bridge Road
• RV1 to Sumner Street

By Boat Bankside Pier located near Southwark Bridge is just 10 metres from Shakespeare’s Globe, and has services every 20 minutes until late night. Uber Boat by Thames Clippers is available at 24 piers throughout London. They are accessible via prams, wheelchair and mobility scooters except for the London Bridge, Wandsworth Riverside Quarter and Cadogan piers. Book online to save your time and dime!

• Those with a blue disability card can access the limited parkings at the New Globe Walk.
• There is an NCP car park on Thames Exchange just a 10 minute walk away from the theatre

Best Time to Visit Shakespeare Globe Theatre

The warm weather and longer days make summer - June to August the best time to visit the Globe Theatre. You can enjoy outdoor performances of Shakespeare's plays, as well as other live entertainment. The theatre is also a great place to explore on a sunny day, with its thatched roof and open-air design. If you're looking for a more budget-friendly option, autumn - September to November is a great time to visit the Globe Theatre. The weather is still pleasant and you can avoid the crowds that flock to the city in summer. You can also take advantage of the many Halloween events and activities that take place in London at this time of year.

Shakespeare Globe Theatre: Map

Get Directions on Google Map

Insider Tips for Visiting the Shakespeare Globe Theatre

• Since the Shakespeare Globe Theatre is a working theatre, you cannot enter without a ticket to the tour or a ticket to a show. Hence, it is a great idea to purchase tickets to the tour to experience it at any time of the year.
• The Shakespeare Globe Exhibition is access friendly and has wheelchair and lift access to all parts of the exhibition and tour. There are audio guide headphones, printed transcripts, and Braille panels all over the exhibition. There is also a dedicated Access Helpline and Desk for further assistance.
• Time your visit so you can enjoy the Afternoon Tea at Swan, the in-house restaurant at the Globe. The tea menu is inspired by Shakespeare’s popular play A Midsummer’s Night Dream
• Don’t forget to stop at the gift shop, literature enthusiasts will find a lot of quirky souvenirs and Shakespeare merchandise.
• If you are visiting the theatre only for the exhibition and tour then go early, preferably for the 9:30 AM tour as you can avoid the theatre crowds.

FAQs: Shakespeare Globe Theatre, London

Is the globe theatre in london the original from shakespeare time.

We think that the first Shakespeare play to be performed at the original Globe was Julius Caesar, in 1599. Other playwrights wrote for the Globe too, including Ben Jonson, Thomas Dekker and John Fletcher. The Globe Theatre you see today in London is the third Globe.

What Shakespeare plays were performed in the Globe Theatre?

What plays were performed at the Globe? Probably the first Shakespeare play to be performed at the Globe was  Julius Caesar , in 1599. Some other Shakespeare plays first performed there are: As You Like It; Hamlet; Measure for Measure; Othello; King Lear; Macbeth and Antony and Cleopatra.

Where was Shakespeare's Globe Theatre?

What was special about shakespeare's globe theatre.

The first Globe, based on the skeleton of the original Theatre of 1576, was unique not just as the most famous example of that peculiar and short-lived form of theatre design but because it was actually the first to be built specifically for an existing acting company and financed by the company itself.

Why is Shakespeare's theatre called the Globe?

By May 1599, the new theatre was ready to be opened. Burbage named it the Globe after the figure of Hercules carrying the globe on his back - for in like manner the actors carried the Globe's framework on their backs across the Thames.

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Shakespeare's Globe

Antony & cleopatra.

• Photos & Videos
• BSL Information
• The Company

This event has now passed. Visit our What's On to see our current and upcoming events.

For the first time in ten years, Antony & Cleopatra , Shakespeare’s colossal story of love, duty, and power unfolds in the Globe Theatre in an epic bilingual production using Spoken English and British Sign Language.

Rome is an empire ruled by men. Egypt is a kingdom governed by a woman.

Despite their different cultures, Roman general Antony falls for Egyptian queen Cleopatra. Their passion blazes across two continents, upsets the world order and puts thousands of lives at risk.

Blanche McIntyre  ( Measure for Measure ; Twelfth Night: For One Night Only , Globe) directs Shakespeare’s blockbuster clash of cultures, with Charlotte Arrowsmith ( This is Going to Hurt , BBC) as Associate Director.

This bilingual production will be performed in two languages: British Sign Language (BSL) and Spoken English. Some scenes will be performed only in BSL; some scenes will be performed only in Spoken English; and some scenes will feature both languages . You can read more about the creative integration of BSL and Spoken English in our blog .

All performances will be captioned.

Eternity was in our lips and eyes…

– Act I, scene 3

  Content guidance: The play contains depictions of suicide, scenes of violence and war, and misogynoir references. The production features the use of stage blood and gore. Please contact the Ticketing team on 020 7401 9919 or [email protected]  if you would like further details on the play’s content.

TICKETS Galleries (Seated) £75-£25 Standing £10, £5

Hundreds of £5 tickets for every performance, hundreds more at £10. Book early for the best prices.

This event is on-site in the  Globe Theatre

Running time Approx. 2 hours 45 minutes, including a 20-minute interval

Join the conversation #AntonyAndCleopatraGlobe

Terms and conditions A £2.50 transaction fee per order applies online and over the telephone.

Part of Summer 2024

Photography: The Other Richard Art Direction: Studio Doug

Choosing your tickets

As the Globe Theatre is a circular theatre, your view of the stage and captions will vary, depending on where you are sat. Everyone will have a view of at least one captioning screen.

Yard standing tickets allow you to move around during the performance to get the best view of the actors and the captions but you will need to stand for the whole performance.

If you have specific access requirements, you can find more detailed advice by clicking here .

Plan your visit

Find out how to get here, where to stay and read our FAQs.

Find assisted performances for this event and explore our provisions for Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent people below.

Reviews (2024)

‘A cleverly constructed bilingual epic’

‘The cast are superb’

WHATSONSTAGE

‘An absorbing experience’

THE ARTS DESK

‘Thrillingly radical… a triumph’

THE EVENING STANDARD

‘Fun and rambunctious’

‘Beautifully done… Hollingworth and Nadarajah are truly excellent’

BROADWAY WORLD

‘Sign language adds a powerful contemporary message’

LONDON THEATRE

PHOTOS & VIDEOS

Production photography by ellie kurttz, rehearsal photography by ellie kurttz, 'the barge she sat in' speech.

Blog – Meet the Team

Director  Blanche McIntyre  and Associate Director  Charlotte Arrowsmith  tell us how they’re approaching this production, before rehearsals start.

BSL INFORMATION

Show information.

Learn Sign Names

Plot Summary

Looking for that last-minute way to experience London’s iconic wooden ‘O’ this summer?

Every Friday at 11.00am , our £5 Rush gives you the chance to access our legendary £5 Groundling tickets for performances in the following week, even for sold-out shows!

THE COMPANY

Mark donald.

Dolabella / Maecenas / Eros / Messenger from Sicyon

William Grint

Soothsayer / Clown / Diomedes / Antony’s Soldier

John Hollingworth

Mark Antony

Nadeem Islam

Alexas / Messenger

Gabin Kongolo

Pompey / Decretas / Fourth Watch

Peter Landi

Lepidus / Canidius / Third Sentinel

Gabriella Leon

Iras / Octavia / Thyreus / Third Watch

Rhiannon May

Seleucus / Cover

Esther McAuley

Agrippa / Proculeius / Menas / Second Watch

Zoë McWhinney

Daniel millar.

Domitius Enobarbus

Nadia Nadarajah

Bert seymour.

Octavius Caesar

Second Sentinel / Messenger to Caesar / First Watch / Cover

Access Consultant

Zoë halliday, associate director.

Charlotte Arrowsmith is an Actor, Director, Drama workshop leader/facilitator, Creative BSL Consultant as well as a Deaf Awareness/Deaf Equality Trainer. She graduated with a BA Hons in Theatre, Arts, Education and Deaf studies in 2003 at Reading University. She was awarded the Honorary ‘Distinguished student of the year’ in 2022.

Charlotte Arrowsmith

Bilingual translation support, sue maclaine.

Creative BSL Consultant credits include: Snowmen (Herd Theatre), Macbeth, Julius Caesar (RSC),  The Real & Imagined History of the Elephant Man (Nottingham Playhouse); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Shakespeare North Playhouse); Dare Master (CITV), A Christmas Carol (Leeds Playhouse).

Adam Bassett

Bsl consultant.

Since gaining 2.1 BA Hons in Deaf Studies with Interpreting English/BSL and Linguistics, Daryl has long since freelanced as a sign language consultant, translator, advisor, script supervisor, television presenter/reporter, and actor. He frequently does in-vision translating for numerous TV channels and websites.

Daryl Jackson

Caption co-designer.

Ben Glover is a deaf video designer and creative captioner who uses interdisciplinary skills in both creative and technical fields to produce innovative and expressive creations informed by his background in theatre, film and computing. He has recently become a Fellow of the Royal Shakespeare Company for his research on creative captioning.

Creative Captioner and Video Designer credits: Driftwood  (Pentabus Theatre Co);  Galatea  (Wildworks and Marlborough Productions, with Joshua Pharo);  A Dead Body in Taos  (Bristol Old Vic and Fuel Theatre);  The Solid Life of Sugar Water  (Orange Tree Theatre), a JMK Award-winner; Offies winner for ‘Play Production 2022’; and Offies nomination for ‘Access 2022’.

Sarah Readman

Casting director.

Becky is Head of Casting at Shakespeare’s Globe, casting all in-house productions for the Globe Theatre and Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.

Becky Paris CDG

Choreographer.

Mark is a freelance Dance Teacher, Workshop Leader, Movement Director Choreographer, and Director. He is the Founder and Artistic Director of Deaf Men Dancing and DMD+. Mark was nominated as Best Theatre Choreographer for Olivier Awards 2024 for The Little Big Things .

Tim Sutton is a composer and musical director for theatre and radio.

Previous work at the Globe includes Measure for Measure and Twelfth Night.

Costume Supervisor & Associate Costume Designer

Natalia alvarez.

Previous work at the Globe includes: Twelfth Night: For One Night Only , Measure for Measure, Bartholomew Fair , The Winter’s Tale, As You Like It , and The Comedy of Errors .

Blanche McIntyre

Fight & intimacy director.

RC-Annie Ltd, established in 2005 by Rae Bown-Williams and Ruth Cooper-Brown, is the UK’s leading Dramatic Violence Company.  

Rachel Bown-Williams and Ruth Cooper-Brown of RC-Annie

Globe associate - movement.

Glynn (she/her) trained in the Alexander Technique in 1972. She is past Chairman of The Society of Teachers of the Alexander Technique (STAT).

Glynn MacDonald

Text consultant.

Giles has worked as a Shakespeare Consultant, as well as a verse, language, and rhetoric specialist, for over fifteen years, on productions including The Tempest (Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park/Unicorn Theatre), Dido, Queen of Carthage (RSC) and As You Like It (Leeds Playhouse).

Giles Taylor

Rebecca clark-carey.

Tess trained at the Webber Douglas Academy and studied Voice at the Central School of Speech and Drama. She received an MA from Manchester University and recently became a Designated Linklater Teacher.

Tess Dignan

Wellbeing lead.

Adam is the Founder and CEO of Wellbeing in the Arts, which provides mental health and wellbeing support to the creative industries. He is a former award-winning theatre actor, and this is his third production working with the Globe.

Adam Bamborough

Nikita Constant is a HCPC, BADth, BAATN registered Dramatherapist (MA Drama and Movement Therapy, Royal Central School of Speech and Drama). She has a BA Honours degree in Performance Practice, as well as having attained a level three in British Sign Language.

Nikita Constant

Bass trombone / tuba.

Originally from Aberdeen, Adam studied bass trombone and bass sackbut at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

Adam Crighton

French horn / ancient horns.

Letty is one of the UK’s most innovative and versatile French horn players. As a multi-genre orchestral and chamber musician, Letty has worked with many of the UK’s major orchestras, as well as performing extensively in theatre.

Letty Stott

Musical director / percussion.

Previous work for Shakespeare’s Globe includes: The Duchess of Malfi , I, Joan , Henry VIII, Women Beware Women (Musical Director/Percussion); Taming of the Shrew , Twelfth Night , Love’s Labour’s Lost (Percussion); and Swive , Romeo and Juliet (Deputy Percussion).

Joley Cragg

Tenor trombone.

Steve studied trombone and composition at the Trinity College of Music in London. He was commissioned to write a fanfare for HRH the Prince of Wales and later HRH the Princess Royal.

Steve Thompson

Adrian Woodward (aka Woody) studied at Trinity, the Royal College of Music, and the Schola Cantorum in Switzerland. Woody has worked as a Musical Director in over 30 productions at the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, several of them winning awards.

Adrian Woodward

Rehearsal interpreters.

Hahna is a BSL Interpreter and currently working on the Globe’s Antony and Cleopatra production. She has several years of experience.

Hahna Ahmed

Jacqui beckford, chris curran, lixi chivas, lauren fletcher-harris, jemima hoadley, taz hockaday, harry jardine, pascale maroney, sarah meeks, louise mitcham, dan roberts, rebekah spencer, sharan thind.

Natasha is a BSL/English interpreter who specialises in Theatre and Performance interpreting.

Previous work at the Globe includes Emilia , As You Like It , The Tempest , Othello , and Richard III .

Natasha Trantom

Rachael veazey, beverley wilson, more events.

Antony & Cleopatra: Study Day

The Globe Talks: Antony & Cleopatra

Antony & Cleopatra: Guided Tour

Continuing Professional Development: Teaching Antony & Cleopatra at Key Stage 5

The Comedy of Errors

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Access Scheme

Our Access Scheme offers additional information on suitable seating, and adjusted ticket pricing for audience members with access needs.

Join our Access Scheme

Explore the assisted performances for this event below. We also provide Access Resources for Audio Described and Relaxed performances. These will be added in time for the first of each of those access performances and will be available for all performances after that date.

Visiting Shakespeare’s Globe

Find out more about our facilities, policies and provisions here .

Seating Advice

As the Globe Theatre is a circular theatre, your view of the stage and captions will vary, depending on where you are sat or stood. Everyone will have a view of at least one captioning screen.

If you require a view of both the actors using BSL and the captions:

• Yard standing tickets will offer a good view of the actors using BSL and the captions.
• If you are booking seated tickets online, click the link marked ‘View recommended seats’. This will filter the seating map to show seats with the best views of the actors using BSL and the captions.
• Our Ticketing team can also help you choose a seat. You can email them at [email protected] , phone 020 7401 9919, or visit the Box Office at Shakespeare’s Globe.
• Seats with restricted views are clearly marked on the seating map.

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