Shakespeare’s Globe

Shakespeare's Globe is a faithful reconstruction of the Globe Theatre, an Elizabethan playhouse built in 1599 for which William Shakespeare wrote his plays. Located on the south bank of the River Thames in Southwark, London, the modern Globe was completed in 1997 and replicates the historic structure as closely as possible, accommodating 1,400 spectators compared to the original's 3,000 due to modern safety standards.

The initiative to rebuild the Globe was led by actor and director Sam Wanamaker, who founded the Shakespeare Globe Trust in 1970. The project faced challenges, but detailed research by historical adviser John Orrell and the design team, including architect Theo Crosby, led to a successful reconstruction about 230 meters from the original site.

Shakespeare's Globe features a thrust stage surrounded by three tiers of seating and a circular yard. It is built entirely from English oak with mortise and tenon joints and is an authentic 16th-century timber-framed building. The thatched roof, protected by fire retardants and sprinklers, is the only one permitted in London since the Great Fire of 1666. The theatre also includes modern amenities such as a lobby, restaurant, gift shop, and visitor centre.

Adjacent to the Globe is the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, an indoor theatre that opened in 2014, modelled after a Jacobean-era playhouse. The complex also includes Shakespeare's Globe Studios, an educational and rehearsal space.

The Globe stages productions during the summer, focusing on replicating original playing conditions without spotlights or amplification. Tours are available year-round, and some performances are filmed and released as Globe on Screen productions. The theatre operates without public subsidy, generating £24 million annually. Michelle Terry is the artistic director and has an educational program of play readings featuring works from Shakespeare's contemporaries and has been part of the Globe's offerings since 1995. Performances take place at the Globe and other venues, including festivals like Glastonbury.