People seem to be under the misconception that “Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre”, the attractive round, white building with the oak looking beams and thatched roof on London's South Bank is built on the same spot as the original Globe Theatre. It’s close by no cigar. This replica, built in the same Elizabethan style and from drawings of the original Globe was finished in 1997 and houses the very excellent repertory theatre company as well as a Shakespeare exhibition and an education centre (which have their own modern fusion annexes.), is about 200 metres off the spot.

The original was where the Park Street Car Park now stands and was owned by members of the company of players Shakespeare wrote for, Shakespeare owned about an eighth of the holding. Globe mark one burned down during a performance of Henry the Eighth - a special effects stunt involving a cannon went amiss and set the thatched roof on fire (Shakespeare must have had something witty to say about that.) apparently no injuries were sustained.

One of the other main misconceptions about The Globe is that it was round - the most recent excavations under the car park have revealed it was more of a polygon with 16 to 20 sides.

What we all agree on is that it was three stories high, round-ish and something akin to a thatched stadium, part open to the sky. The common folk stood in the courtyard section while the wealthier guests and sponsors sat in the narrow, roofed tiers. The stage itself had a ceiling supported by columns. These details as well as the stage exits and entrances have been replicated in the current Globe which was built from Elizabethan plans. In every aspect, including materials and style the new version was built as faithfully as possible to the original.

If your interest is more historical or architectural than theatrical you can take a tour of The Globe which will show you some of its inner workings, otherwise the best way to experience The Globe is to see a show. Obviously it’s Shakespeare almost every night while the weather is warm enough, but some newer productions have been included in recent seasons as well.

On a Practical Note: There are 700 standing tickets available for each performance which are very cheap and often available on the day - in Shakespeare‘s time they would have squeezed another thousand people in. If you’re planning to stand take plenty of water, I had to be rescued by an old woman from St. John’s ambulance because I almost fainted (this was one of my most embarrassing moments as a young, fit person.). I would also suggest shoes you can slip on and off, it is a long time to stand in one place but if you wiggle your toes it’s much more comfortable. If you want to be really authentic bring a bag of hazelnuts with you to performances, apparently the excavations show the ground littered with shells.

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre.

Written by  Kat Mackintosh.

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