I was hoping to see a show at The Globe, as I have a fondness for open air theater productions of Shakespeare, but wasn't able to make it work so I opted for a tour. We had a fantastic tour guide who brought a ton of charisma and fun to his retelling of the history and stories behind The Globe. There is also a self-guided portion of the tour, with props and set pieces from some of the more modern productions which was very fun to see. Stop in the gift shop for a few souvenirs to cap off the experience. read more

See all

A must see and must do, especially for history and theater lovers! We booked our tickets ahead of time to guarantee a tour, but you might get lucky with walk-up tickets, if you are an on-a-whim spontaneous type of traveler. The guides are often also members of the company and are ensemble members of the shows. Our guide was fun and engaging. We got to get up close near the stage and visit a couple of the upper boxes. I only wish the tour was longer. Do remember that the theatre is open-air and thus affected by the elements. Keep that in mind when going, if you need a poncho or umbrella or sunscreen. It was a good tour, informative and interesting. There are different tour options, some which go to other areas (like, I think there is a backstage inclusive tour). And as always, you end in the gift shop to spend more money. But I did really like the kinds of souvenirs they had to buy. Worth a visit for all. read more

We came here a few days prior to get tickets for an evening show of Romeo & Juliet. There were plenty of tickets available at all price points and we opted for the standing room only to have that full experience. Upon return, there was only a short line to get in and we got there only a few minutes beforehand so did not get up front. The facility is nice and I love that the space is outdoors. Glad it wasn't raining though with our tickets although the seated areas are all covered, the stage and actors are not. With our tickets, having someone tall in front of you and having to stand the whole time is a challenge. That said, we enjoyed the unique version of Romeo and Juliet and had a great time! read more

The tour and every thing was amazing but I wish it was indoor more with air conditioning

The reconstructed Shakespeare's Globe Theater. Wow it's iconic. As a fan of the bard, I wanted to watch a show at the Globe Theater but the timing of the shows I wanted to catch did not align with the rest of our schedule. Definitely want to check it out next time. I still wanted to pass by the theater to see it from the outside. It is artfully located by the Thames River so it's a nice stroll over. The theater itself it a circular seating with multiple levels with varying costs. It can be affordable if you don't care about the seat, but it can be pretty expensive for the more prime spots. The theater is designed in a way so that every seat has a good view of the play. Admiring from far away, but hoping to come back and attend a play the next time I'm visiting London. read more

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Bankside, XGL

Iconic theater, now restored, well-known for its association with Shakespeare. Was on our must-do list but we could not score tickets for a show. Still stopped by for pics and to soak in the atmosphere. Will plan better next time! read more

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - The newly restored theater. - Performing Arts Near Me - Bankside, XGL

Do I love Shakespeare yes the space incredible the LACK of warning that if you pay 100£ for a front row galley seat you will literally be in a roaster oven is negligible. Yes you say it's open air but mentioning direct exposure to the sun would be better. You know which seats are full direct sun it doesn't take a rocket scientist to decide that season to season. We all left! 400lbs down the drain because we felt like we were getting heat stroke. Couldn't concentrate on the play sadly. Furious and extremely disappointed! Could spend 5lbs on a rush seat and stand in the shade!! read more

What a lovely place. A must see if you are into history and/or theater. We purchased a tour and it was fantastic. So much history and so much to see. There is also a museum visit included with your ticket. We had a fantastic time. We highly recommend a visit and tour. Happy theater everyone. read more

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Bankside, XGL

Initial Reaction: We saw Romeo & Juliet at the Globe located on the River Thames in the Bankside district of Central London, and it was terrific. My wife and I loved watching Shakespeare in the outdoor theater, where we were treated to a "Western" take on the classic play. Once you make your way up the stairs, past the gift shop, and onto the outdoor lobby, where you can pick up cushions for your bench seats, the exterior structure of the actual theater stands before you, and you grow excited about seeing Shakespeare performed in the native tongue for the first time. Make sure you order tickets a couple of months beforehand as they do sell out quickly or have limited availability of where you can sit. There is standing room on the GA floor, but I would prefer to watch a play where I can sit and not stand for three hours. So it's worth the extra money you pay to secure a seat in the stands. They have good drink options such as canned Pimm's Cup and wine, as well as other non alcoholic options. While we didn't take a tour around the premises, there is the option that you can schedule in advance. The production was terrific. The actors put on excellent portrayals of the titular characters as well as Benvolio, Tybalt, and Mercutio. The pacing was solid during the first act and the second act was the appropriate speed to go through the rest of story. Having never watched Romeo & Juliet in a live production setting, it was wonderful to finally see in person and see the play in its natural habitat. read more

The Globe Theater has always been a bucket list item for me, having acted in several Shakespeare shows in my lifetime and seen countless more. I spent three nights in London and I was gutted that there wasn't a show on while I was there (just missed the opening of Twelfth Night), so I had to settle for the guided tour. I dragged my girlfriend and ten-year-old son along with me. Can't speak for them but I loved every second of it. Our tour guide was Mark who was phenomenal. He had an impressive command of Shakespearean knowledge with a gift for public speaking. I don't know if he acts in any of the productions but I wouldn't be surprised if he does. We got to sit in the top row while actors did a tech rehearsal for Twelfth Night, and the headphones allowed Mark to speak softly so as not to disturb the actors but still allow us to hear. One thing he stressed was the attention to historic detail that went into the Globe's construction, so that if Shakespeare were transported to present day London, it is something he would recognize. The tour ended at the very nice gift shop with all sorts of fun Shakespeare items for sale. All in all it was a great experience, and I hope to make it back someday to actually see a show. read more

See all

This was one of my favorite things I did in London hands down. My friend, and I saw the show " A mid summer night's dream"and it was incredible! I can count on one hand shows that have memorized me; this show was one of them. It was chaotic, beautiful, and brilliant. I went to London during December,so we chose the indoor theater. When I return to London in warmer weather, I will see a show outdoors for sure. Definitely do this, and eat at the Swan next door. My friend and I loved it. read more

Can't recommend visiting and seeing a show enough! One of the best London experiences! We got tickets to Pinocchio over Christmas and really enjoyed the show despite it being outside. So glad hubs got tickets where you could sit as the seats in front of the stage have people standing which is cool but for a tourist who walked 30,000 steps earlier in the day sitting was most appreciated. Our seats had direct view of the stage so we saw everything perfectly! We grabbed dinner at the Swan which is part of the Theatre building and the food was great and it made it easy to access our seats as we just walked through an interior door in the restaurant and we were in the theatre! The play was awesome! Sitting with the crowd under the nighttime stars was awesome! It's really a must do while in London! read more

See all

What a lovely venue - the "winter" theater (not sure that's the official name) was intimate and warm for this time of year. I was relieved it wasn't going to be outdoors! We sat in a row without seat backs and will aim to have a backed seat next time. The play was fabulous - and Midsummer Night's Dream is not one of my favorites. The staff were courteous and helpful. And I got to walk Millennium Bridge after with a glorious view of St Paul's and Tower Bridge lit up at night. Convenient to the tube. So glad to have made this stop on our London trip read more

See all

Going to the globe theatre was a dream come true for this Shakespeare theatre nerd. My husband arranged a lovely afternoon for us this summer to see the Western themed production of Romeo and Juliet. We sat in the balcony. I could never stand that long. And splurged for seat cushions. There are beverage and snack options. I enjoyed some wine. Afterwards we had afternoon tea at the Swan on property. read more

See all

What a lovely experience! We loved the actual theatre so much. Candlelight, Midsummer's Night Dream, fully reimagined and we were there for it. The actors weee fantastic, fully captivating, & brilliant! Gift shop was also fabulous with great mementos! read more

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - Theater - Performing Arts Near Me - Bankside, XGL

This is not the Globe Theatre of Shakespeare's time. The original Globe Theatre - which staged Shakespeare's plays and where the Bard wrote "Twelfth Night," "King Lear," and several others - opened in 1599 and burned down in 1613. The second Globe was erected in 1614 but was then torn down in 1644 after all theaters were shuttered by Parliament. The current incarnation - referred to as the Globe Theatre by its staff - has been in operation since 1997 and it is a celebrated performing arts venue dedicated to staging the Bard's plays. In a nod to its much older namesake, today's open-air theater has a thatched roof - the only one in the city - that does not cover the central yard. Seating is in the round. Or, for a truly memorable experience, you can choose to stand in the yard just below the stage to watch a performance (as many did in Shakespeare's time). read more

See all

Theater: an art that survived the birth of cinema, managed to persevere through television and continues to entertain despite Netflix being ubiquitous. What's a better place to watch a place than at a reconstruction of Shakespeare's original theater? The Comedy of Errors is an incredibly entertaining spectacle. Unless one wants to splurge or health condition, most seats in the house are sufficient to see the action. Watching it from one of the side boxes is pretty interesting, they are beautifully decorated and provide a side view of the performance. It's not a perfect view, but still great. Standing downstairs is probably fun for the experience, but might get a bit tiring. A wonderful theater and hard to go wrong with most seats in the house. read more

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - Theater layout - Performing Arts Near Me - Bankside, XGL

We had a great time seeing Romeo and Juliet at the theater. Warning: the seats are wood benches with no backs. If you are disabled, however, they can help accommodate you with a stadium seat. Besides the show, I highly recommend the theater tour we did. Our guide, Mark, was amazing and hilarious! It was great to learn the history of the theater and the shows it puts on and definitely paints Shakespeare in a more human light. read more

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Bankside, XGL

This was definitely an interesting site. It's smaller than I expected and the tour was quick but insightful. Our tour guide was great and had a lot of knowledge on the globe theater. If you love Shakespeare I would recommend stopping here, however, it's not as exciting as some of the other tours in London. read more

Friends...Romans... Countrymen... Lend me your ears. It's the Globe Theater. How can you give it less than 5 Star!!! Only being in London for less than 36 hours i knew this was going to be one place I needed to see with my own eyes!!! I originally booked a play at night for my wife and I, not knowing after October the plays are shifted to the Wanamaker theater next door :( When we arrived to see "All's Well That End's Well" and realized we weren't being seated in the Globe I inquired and the gentleman at the door apologized and explained to me when they use the globe... He did recommend doing the tour they open as early as 9:00 with the first tour starring at 9:30. So I did. I booked the private tour while waiting for the start of the play. The next morning, I showed up at 8:45, knowing I didn't have much time before I needed to be back on the train heading to Gatwick Airport. I wanted to be there early and prepared. 9:00, and they opened the doors and checked my ticket and sat me in a staging area while they waited for others to arrive... Too my luck, there were no others :) which gave me a private tour!!! So off we went punctual at 9:30 and as we walked through the doors I was overwhelmed with joy as I felt like I was trusted into a period of time of Shakespeare!!! I can't explain the feelings I felt walking in, but I will say it was an awesome experience!! I couldn't go on stage, but that's OK. Deadpool made it, which has been added, and you will see in my pictures, LOL. My two guides were amazing and wouldn't have wanted anyone else!!! My tour finally ended and I had to go but thanks to everyone who made my visit one for the ages!!! read more

See all

I paid $200 for 2 tickets. The gentleman in front of me smelled horribly of body odor. I asked a floor staff person if it would be possible to move to a like section across the way, since I noticed empty seats during the first act. She was very sympathetic and went and found the house manager for me. I explained the situation to her and she called me a liar. She told me she cant authorize a move because technically someone 'owned' the seat for the show. I clarified that I noticed it was empty for the entire first Act. She said no. I asked if she had any lotion or sanitizer to put under my nose to counter the smell, she told me she couldnt give anything to any patrons because of allergic reactions. She told me if its so bad she can authorize me to stand. I asked why I have to stand, why cant the guy who is improperly 'dressed' for the theatre be asked to stand. She told me she wasnt asking a paying patron to move based on a possible body odor that she couldnt confirm was true. The guy smelled so bad that I had to take a shower back at the hotel. So many people left after the first act, there were probably 50 more seats available. People walked out during the performance. I've seen plenty of shows and nothing that I've paid $200 to see comes close to this misery. The horrible wooden set that made us getting 45 minutes delayed seating so they could 'finish setting up' completely blocked the beauty of the theater. If you really want to see the Globe, buy the 10€ ticket, take a quick look around and get out before you waste 2 hours of your life with a rude house manager and horrible sets. read more

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Bankside, XGL

A definite must visit for any Shakespeare fan! We bought tour tickets online beforehand-FYI the last tour starts at 12 noon. Just so you know that that this theater is a replica of the original but the details are pretty accurate and it sits along the River Thames. Our docent is an actor with the theater and quoted lines from the plays as he took us along. We got to go inside and sit in the seats and watch the actors rehearse for that evening's performance. He was great-we learned a lot about the building and the way Shakespeare wrote his plays to the different audiences. Of course the tour ended in a gift shop but it had lots of cool merch. I didn't mind spending £ here because it helps the theater and the troupe. Well worth it! read more

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Bankside, XGL

See all

This was my third visit to the Globe Theatre and I left disappointed. The ambiance was good, the play Twelfth Night of course humorous and additional humor was added by a couple of actors who "stole the show." The costumes were stupid - even bad I would say, and the worst part was turning one man's pledge of love and loyalty to another man as a romantic interlude. This was to say that men cannot love each other without sexual innuendo. Slap in the face to those of us who know otherwise. Kudos to Malfolio and Feste but the rest of the cast I can't recommend. Left sad that Shakespeare died. read more

We decided to spend an evening here based on a local recommendation, and we are so glad we did! Traveling on a budget, we chose the standing section, which cost just over £12 after fees. Despite the aching legs, it was an incredibly fun experience, and we weren't alone--everyone, even those younger than us, felt the strain. A highlight of the evening was when it started to rain. Instead of ending, the show went on, with everyone simply putting on their hoods or taking out umbrellas. The actors and actresses were wonderful and performed beautifully despite the weather. Since it's an outdoor theater, be sure to dress accordingly. I highly recommend this place! Where better to see an affordable Shakespearean play than in the UK? read more

See all

Absolutely fantastic remake of traditional history and a wonderful place to experience theatre. read more

See all

Shakespeare's open air theater, the Globe is on the Thames. Performances are reasonable & we don't have to be Groundlings. This month "As You Like It" is being performed during the week, weekends and matinees, reasonably priced seats were available. This performance was considered relaxed. Near performers and groundlings moved around the theater. This is the third globe theater in this location. The first opened in 1599 & was built by the Lord Chamberlain's Men, the company that William Shakespeare wrote for and part-owned. It is believed that the 1st play Shakespeare wrote for the original Globe was Julius Caesar in spring 1599. Our seats were center 4th row, we sat 6 crowded on a bench. We paid extra to sit on cushions, but there were no backs. Since we were sitting still outdoors I dressed a little warmer, the air didn't move & I couldn't stay awake. The actors moved around the theater, without microphones & with their accents were difficult to understand. The gift shop was extensive & I found the perfect gift for a Shakespeare lover. There was a quiet area, man stocked restrooms, a bar and cafe. read more

See all

Getting to the tour was little tricky. It's located all the way the to the far right! Not at the box office. There a different location. The tour was really good and it's worth it. I learned a lot about the Globe. My mother wanted to see a play but we had other things on our list to see. When I come back to London I will definitely add this to my lists for a play. They are in need of funding since COVID. In a few years they will be close to repair the roof. read more

See all

Shakespeare...so many movies and plays in the modern times can be tied back to him for inspiration. I did not get to watch an open-air play which my friends have said is awesome but got a chance to do a tour of the theater which was super interesting. Beautiful location right by the river. read more

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Bankside, XGL

my wife fatima and my daughter jessica enjoyed the performance the show almost 2 hours,souvenir store was closed ,restaurant bar very busy 1 cocktail waitress people enjoyed the bar apparently maybe happy hours, manager no visible bar young people read more

The site is an authentic reproduction of the previous iterations. Meticulous in every detail, except for modern safety features. The young woman who gave us the tour was incredibly well informed! read more

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - The stage within The Globe Theater. - Performing Arts Near Me - Bankside, XGL

Would I recommend the tour here? At around $34 through GetYourGuide, no. Although the space will probably be most worth it to you if you're a huge Shakespeare fan, outside of that it's essentially a place to bring school age kids during their middle school theater class. I previously I took a Shakespeare course in college. After that class I had a deep appreciation and respect for his plays, so I know lectures about how the language in his work was important, and the sociology behind why he wrote the way he did - they can be done, this tour just wasn't either of those things. The guide did talk a bit about the incarnations of space (current building was built in 1997), which I found interesting, but all in all, unless you're here to see a play or your kids are massive Shakespeare fans, I just wouldn't put it high on my list of things to make a special trip for. read more

I was never THAT into Shakespeare but growing up with learning about Shakespeare in school, I had to visit the Globe Theatre when in London. I had pre-purchased tickets online and made an 11AM appointment for the tour. We had arrived 20 minutes early (from Borough Market). Had asked for toilet but they said we could join the 1045AM tour as there is openings and we were there already. It is quite interesting learning about the origination of the theater, layout, past history of how it was used, how its still currently used, etc. Don't want to go into much detail as its something you should experience yourself ! Definitely worth the visit once ! read more

See all

The performance is really the "thing" here. We saw "Much To Do About Nothing" and it was fabulous. Actors were talented and amazing. The down side and the the backless, bench seats. While I fully appreciate we want authenticity of the time after the first 75 min we were in legit pain. It recommend staying for the first act and then leaving if you aren't 25 or younger. If reserving seats do so in the back rows where the wall will be your support. read more

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - Stage - Performing Arts Near Me - Bankside, XGL

Finally got the chance to visit the Shakespeare's Globe Theatre! This is one of the most iconic theatre experiences l in London and was glad to get the opportunity to watch Much Ado About Nothing. We got the £5 standing seats which means that you are essentially standing for the length of the play which can be up to 3 hours, in our case. Despite our feet and backs killing us, the play was actually fantastic. Even for someone who is not super into Shakespeare it was an absolutely fantastic experience watching the actors, who may be the best in London theatre, perform extremely animatedly without mics which was incredible impressive. In addition, I love that the audience was very into the play and would interact with the actors. However, as my friend put it, if you're not into Shakespeare, it's like watching a good foreign film. My one complaint was that the staff was extremely strict. Even if we placed our backpacks in the wrong place they would come up to us in the middle of the play to tell us off about it. Kind of rubbed us in the wrong way because it would disturb us from the watching experience. Overall, would highly recommend watching any play from the Globe. The one thing is that perhaps maybe next time shell out a bit more for seats because your feet will get tired by the end of the play. Or stand as this was how Shakespeare's plays were often consumed for the most "authentic" experience. Nonetheless, absolutely fantastic actors and stage getup and would highly recommend whether you are a Shakespeare fan or not. read more

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - Inside the Globe - Performing Arts Near Me - Bankside, XGL

I went to see "Mid Summer Night" It was ugliest production I have ever seen. left after first act! I was not the only one. Please keep your children away from that place. Philippians 4:8 read more

I'm so glad we made a stop for a guided tour. It was on our list of things to do, but we weren't sure of the timing of when we would go, so we took our chances on not reserving a ticket ahead of time. Walked in about 11:00am on a Wednesday in July and were able to purchase a ticket right away for the next tour. Our guide was really informative and I learned a lot about the building. Saw a brief rehearsal of actors working on stage while we were touring. It would have been fun to see a play while there but we didn't budget the time for it. They also had a great gift shop :-) read more

Absolutely fantastic. The only minor complaint is the seats. Even with the cushion, by the end we were glad to stand up. The play was great. A somewhat modern spin on the classic Macbeth. The stewards are extremely helpful. Overall a must do while in London read more

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - Performing Arts Near Me - Bankside, XGL

See all

The cast from Midsummer Night's Dream was great. My wife the Shakespearean loved it and for a husband that's the only thing that matters. Suggestions: Some seats suck and you might have a pillar partially blocking your view. Be careful when selecting seats. The gift shop closes after intermission at the evening show so be sure to make your purchases at the break. Order a pillow/cushion for your butt unless you like hard wood seats. They sold out and some folks were upset. read more

Shakespeare's Globe Theatre - View of the stage from the top side. - Performing Arts Near Me - Bankside, XGL

See all

Wanted to catch a Shakespeare play while visiting London, and saw A Comedy of Errors here. The production quality was good; I'm not too much into Shakespearan comedies (tragedies for me), but it was all about the experience here. Got 5 pound standing tickets; that's just a steal. Granted, my legs are aching after standing for 2 hours, but that's the traditional experience right there. Didn't look like any of the seats had a bad view. read more

I recently saw Twelth Night and really enjoyed the staging and sense of ensemble. Everything was sublime until an infant started crying. And this wasn't the first time. Why do you allow access to infants?! I think that when you send out confirmation for a ticket you should say: No Children Under the Age of Six. I also think you should fine people who insist on bringing their infants. (I spoke to the woman who brought the infant and she became hysterical. Maybe you should have a psychiatric ambulance nearby.). You need to have more respect for the creative team, not to mention your paying patrons. read more