Standing a few hundred yards from its original site on London’s Bankside, the reconstruction of Shakespeare’s Globe was opened by Her Majesty the Queen in June 1997. The reconstruction project took over twenty years to complete and was initiated by the American actor, director and producer Sam Wanamaker (1919-93) who founded the Shakespeare Globe Trust dedicated to rebuilding the theatre and the creation of an education centre and permanent exhibition. The original Globe was built in 1599, and Shakespeare was one of four actors who bought a share in the theatre. The theatre thrived and presented many of Shakespeare’s greatest plays until it was destroyed by fire during a performance of Henry VIII in 1613. Today, visitors to Shakespeare’s Globe can explore the exhibition, tour the theatre, and watch productions ranging from Shakespeare’s original classics to world premieres from new writers.
- Shakespeare’s Globe
- 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT
- www.shakespearesglobe.com
- Underground: Blackfriars, Mansion House, London Bridge and St. Paul’s