The Globe Theatre in London has a long and interesting history, in large part due to its strong association with William Shakespeare and his plays.

For perhaps a decade or more, Shakespeare wrote and performed plays at the Globe Theatre.

In 1613, a stage cannon used during a performance of Henry VIII ignited the thatched roof of the theatre and it burned to the ground.

It was reconstructed with a tile roof this time, and remained home to Shakespeare's company until 1642 when it was closed along with other theatres by the Puritans.

In 1644 the Globe Theatre was torn down to make room for housing and this historic structure was lost forever.

Actor Sam Wanamaker came to London in 1949 and was disappointed to find there was no trace of the original Globe Theatre and no lasting memorial to Shakespeare and his theatre. He went on to found the Shakespeare Globe Trust in 1970 with the intent to rebuild the theatre as close to the original location as possible and to educate the public about Shakespeare and his works.

After more than 20 years of fundraising, research, and planning, the structure was just beginning to take shape in 1993 when Wanamaker died. It was completed in 1997 and Shakespeare's plays have been performed there every summer since.

The building itself is a carefully researched creation, built entirely of English oak using simple mortise and tenon joinery. It is as close a recreation of the original structure as possible, right down to the thatched roof which is happily protected by fire retardants and sprinklers this time around.

True to the original, the new Globe Theatre has a central stage surrounded by three-tiered seating areas.

Every attempt is made to keep the theatre experience as authentically Elizabethan as possible; there are no spotlights, no microphones or amplification, and audience and actors can get a good look at one another.

Plays are staged at the theatre from May until October, and tours of the building are available all year.

The Globe Theatre in London is an unforgettable place to see one of Shakespeare's wonderful plays.

Visiting Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT

Telephone: 020 7902 1400

Email info@shakespearesglobe.org

Photo courtesy: n_willsey

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