In terms of shows, the Globe Theatre is a superb replica of an Elizabethan theater.
He presented many of Shakespeare's best-loved works.
Famous for its open-air performances of the classics, an evening at the Globe is a theatrical experience like no other.
Here's everything you need to know!
Le théâtre du Globe : article summary
The Globe Theatre: a landmark through history
Let's clear up one misconception right away: Shakespeare never actually set foot in the Globe, although it's often 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 just a few hundred metres from its modern equivalent.
The original theater had a colorful history. Built from the beams of the Curtain (London's second theater), it was destroyed by an errant cannonball in 1613. Rebuilt the following year, it was finally demolished by the notoriously anti-amusement Puritans in 1644.
A modern version accessible to the public
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.
Unfortunately, he never saw it finished. Work on The Globe was completed in 1997, about three and a half years after Wanamaker's death.
To commemorate his work, one of the Globe's two theaters bears his name: the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse.
Le théâtre du Globe: things to see at the Globe
At the theater, you're likely to see a play or two. Productions run throughout the year, following the structure of a summer season (mainly housed at the Globe Theatre) and a winter season (usually housed at the Wanamaker Playhouse).
For the best theater experience as it was in Shakespeare's time, you'll need a standing ticket for a performance at the Globe Theatre, which allows you to admire the unique stage of London's historic theater.
Productions run all year round and, unsurprisingly, tend to intensify in summer. The Globe tries to cater for all types of audience. Indeed, they offer not only shows in British Sign Language and subtitled shows for the deaf or hard of hearing.
Take a guided tour of the site
If you're not here to see a play, you can take a guided tour of the Globe, retracing the history of theater through a series of colorful stories.
The theater also offers a wide range of lectures, including:
- A fascinating Ask The Actor series
- Special events
- Poetry evenings
- Workshops
Back in the theater kingdom, the Globe's "Read Not Dead" series gives actors a morning to rehearse a forgotten play, then perform it in the afternoon in a relaxed setting.
When to visit Globe
You can't really limit good theater to a certain period, but as I mentioned, the summer season is probably the best. best period to get there.
Watching a play in the summer sun standing in the courtyard, as the audience would have done in Shakespeare's time, is honestly an experience not to be missed.
What's more, at just £5 for a standing ticket, travel at the Globe certainly won't break the bank.
The Globe theater: events not to be missed
The Globe normally organizes a few special events around Shakespeare's birthday, widely accepted as April 23.
From April 17 to 19, you can embark on a two-hour tour of Shakespeare's London, led by a company of twenty-two actors, and ending at the Globe.
Additional information
To get there, you can use the metro stations:
- Southwark
- London Bridge
As for prices at the Globe Theatre, you'll pay just £5 for a standing ticket. You can opt for a seat in the gallery, which starts at £23.
At the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Standing tickets cost £10 and seated tickets start at £20.
Finally, you can go to :
- During the summer season from 2 pm to 8 pm.
Visits take place daily from 9.30am to 5pm.
London's Globe Theatre is a must-see, especially if it's your first visit to the city. What you need spend a unique moment at the theater during your stay.
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