Shakespeare's Globe Theatre

Il globe theatre, situato sulla riva sud del tamigi, accanto alla tate modern, è la fedele replica del teatro nel quale william shakespeare allestì alcuni dei suoi lavori e dove egli stesso recitò. la ricostruzione dell'originale, che prese fuoco durante una rappresentazione di henry viii, fu voluta dall'attore e regista americano sam wanamaker, il quale era convinto che il teatro esistesse e rimase deluso, arrivando a londra, di non trovarlo. fu così che impegnò tutte le sue energie ed ottenne che la struttura fosse ricostruita come l'originale, facendo riferimento a disegni di epoca shakespeariana. purtroppo wannamaker morì prima che il globe fosse ultimato.

in perfetto stile elisabettiano, la costruzione a forma di cerchio è visibile da lontano, per il suo colore prevalentemente bianco. al suo interno, il palcoscenico è circondato da gallerie e posti in piedi. è molto coinvolgente assistere alle rappresentazioni antimeridiane in costume. in alternativa è possibile seguire delle visite guidate o semplicemente visitare il sito ed il suo shop adiacente.

Seeing Merry Wives of Windsor here was a treat! Strongly recommended! We sat in the first level, and we could see just fine.

We also took the tour beforehand. The exhibits were good, and the tour (which takes you inside the theatre) was very good. You can get 20% off the price, if you show them the "London Smartsave Streetmap" brochure, which you should be able to get from your hotel.

We stopped by the Shakespeare Globe Theatre on a Friday just to take a look at its rebuilt structure with the thatched roof. What we found is that it was opening weekend for the season in April and they were showing Romeo and Juliet - the classic and most famous Shakespeare play. At 15 pounds per person, it was a "no-brainer" to book reservations for their Sunday performance.

We got front row seats in the top section - it was a side view with some obstructions but it was worth seeing the atmosphere and was very enjoyable. The structure of all wood seating and full standing room on the bottom floor gave the feel of the original theatre as if we watched during the old days. The play was fantastic as you don't often get a chance to watch one of the most beloved Shakespeare plays in a place built to match its original performance.

If you're there outside of summer, make sure you bring a sweater as it gets cold at night!