Shakespeare's Globe

A remarkable place to watch a play--and affordable, if you get the £5 standing tickets. The open-air layout means that you should bring warm clothing and possibly a raincoat. 

As part of the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love at Shakespeare's Globe, I went to see Daniel Kramer's modern and wild interpretation of Romeo and Juliet one Sunday and it was a beautiful experience. I hadn’t been to the Globe since primary school and though the production was quite controversial, being in an open-air theatre on a warm summer evening was so lovely. The Globe has not changed since I was a child and I will be back to catch more productions – Much Ado About Nothing, King Lear and Boudica are all still playing! However, I will opt for a seated ticket next time as standing in the Yard (£5.00 tickets) was quite tiring after a couple of hours! 

When I moved back to London a few years ago, getting a £5 standing ticket to watch a play at the Globe in the same way that they did in centuries past was one of the things I was keen to do. It felt like the sort of experience you should do once, whether you’re a visitor to or a native of the capital and I had an awesome time with scores of other people who felt exactly the same. It’s probably not the way I’m going to watch every 3 hour performance of Shakespeare going forward but definitely worth ticking off that bucket list. Given the turmoil that’s been forced upon London over the past few weeks, doing something touristy and mainstream appealed hugely to me this weekend – I needed a reminder of the history & the magnificence of a city that will not be broken into submission and this is why I found myself on a tour of the Globe Theatre on the Southbank.

Running at roughly an hour long but with unlimited access to the exhibition and the gift-shop included in the ticket price, the tour takes you up, into and around the theatre auditorium itself and if you’re lucky enough to get Lauren, the fabulous land girl-meets-Queen Vic regular who showed us round, I can guarantee you’ll have an extra brilliant time. Droll, informative and interesting, she really elevated the tour from ‘oh that’s interesting’ to ‘oh my god, they used to do what?!’ FYI, that gift-shop has some cracking things in it – a good place to remember when that Christmas list rears its festive head again in a few months.

Memorabilia and artifacts line the walls in the cool, calm interior exhibit with everything on show from Mark Rylance’s diary to costumes that your fella can practice cross-dressing in should the need to do so arise to recordings of legendary actors bringing the words of the bard to life. There’s a huge amount of detail as well about the geographical and social landscapes of London in the time of Shakespeare which makes it even more fascinating when you emerge blinking into the daylight of the Southbank and are greeted with buskers, air-stream food trucks and skateboarders instead of the gentry and the peasants you’ve just been reading about.

Honestly, be you local or be you international, I cannot recommend enough that you get a ticket for a play here but come along a few hours earlier to enjoy everything there is on offer. Grab a bite to eat at the excellent Swan Restaurant next door, spend an hour taking the tour, while away a second hour ambling around the exhibition and then take your seat on a wooden pew and enjoy some of the finest words ever written under the stars.

A brilliant experience - every visitor to London should do it once. Standing tickets for £5 - you can't get top quality theatre much cheaper than that anywhere in the world! They have a great selection of shows every summer, and it's really easy to get the standing tickets. The globe restaurant next door also does a lovely high tea!

It's been the third time I went (first time with seats) and I have been blown away be Imogen. It's been the best performance I have seen so far (don't get me wrong - every Globe performance is great), but it reminded me of Luhrman's interpretation of Romeo+Juliet, as well as proving the point that Shakespeare's works are timeless.

Having studied English literature and owning the complete works you tend to imagine his work being transferred to the present time and yes - Imogen has done it. I really enjoyed it and I love the Globe (though I would always prefer the standing tickets, as the experience is maybe not better, but different).

It's part of the English history and therefore I'd recommend it to everybody! Enjoy the time warp...

The first time I went to The Globe, I wanted to know what it was like for the peasants standing. £5 a person, you could hardly go wrong. I saw Richard lll. I stood right at the stage and it was amazing to feel as though I was part of the play itself. But by intermission, I just could not stand another minute and had to leave. Still, it gets you in to see the theater and maybe your stamina is better than mine! 

The second time I went I had seats which was much better as it sheltered me slightly from the elements. I did feel I'd lost some of the intemacy but also the foot pain. It still isn't perfect because it's painful in a different body part! Bring or pay for a cushion and you'll be fine. I made it through the whole play with out one and I was fine, bt I can see where it might bother some people. A london must do!

I saw the production Imogen and it was amazing.

First time here and all I can say is wow and wish I came here before. Such a cute little open air theatre. Prices are reasonable and they have private tours of the theatre itself, a must for tourists and Londoners alike! This place would have done Shakespeare proud! Top tip Get a seat that has a back, and or rent a seat cushion for £1

I had walked past many times before and had always been intrigued to go inside and got the opportunity through the amazing Time Out London by going to see Imogen. I was very impressed by the this wooden amphitheatre that manages to get filled once or twice everyday for Shakespear plays only. A large part of the audience stands for the whole show, which is interesting – but I definitely wouldn't do it because it means being subject to the hazards of the weather and leaving with the most awful back pain. Tickets are cheap so I'd recommend going and, if you're worried about being sat outside for three hours now that Fall is in full swing, don't you worry: you can rent blankies and buy – awfully expensive but tasty – mulled wine to keep you warm.

We went to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre to see Macbeth a couple of years ago. Thankfully it wasn’t a cold day, and we chose to go to the matinée show so we were able to enjoy the show with natural light. After entering from one side of the globe, we were in a cute little courtyard where you could purchase a pillow to sit on during the performance or a snack. They rung a bell about 5 minutes before the performance and everyone excitedly took their seats for the start. The play was amazing. The cast would come out of different doors, and certain lines were spoken from the middle of the crowd, especially the scenes with the witches. 

At one point a helicopter flew by, it was so loud that Macbeth even waved to it and we all laughed. It was as though we were part of the story with the cast and it was great. 

I’ve seen Macbeth several times and this was by far the best. The experience feels really authentic, and its definitely one of the most memorable moments of living in London. I really recommend you go see a show there if you can, because they are the best at what they do and they really do the venue justice. 

The best thing to do for a fiver!

It's been on my bucket list since I moved here and I wasn't disappointed. The globe theatre offers £5 tickets if you're willing to stand for a few hours. In an intimate setting, the actors involve you in the show as much as they are. The production of Taming of the Shrew was powerful, confronting yet also so humourous. The new artistic director, Emma Rice, has changed the way people view Shakespeare with a dynamic interpretation of his plays. Inserting music and songs, gives the Shakespearian plays a different edge.  

With so many options to eat around the area, it's a great night out and then a beautiful stroll along Southbank to analyse the show with your friend after. 

This place is one of the best theatre venues in London, especially for the price. You can get a standing ticket for 5 pounds to see the top shows from RSC and beyond. This is near to the millennium bridge so it is a short walk from St Pauls and is very centrally located on the tube map. I find that the productions here are always entertaining and the acting is of top quality. The bar and restaurant is also famous and attracts even non-theatre going crowd. I will definitely see myself as a regular coming back to this venue. I look forward to the next production!

An absolutely beautiful theater in a beautiful location, this is an amazing setting for a play.

The design of the theater can make it a bit difficult to hear at times and as with all theaters, where you sit is key but it is is still a wonderful experience.

The seats are hard wooden benches so if you don't come with your own built in padding you can hire cushions as well as blankets from a kiosk but there is nothing (that I am aware of) stopping you bringing your own.

If you are attending a midnight showing it may be worth pre-booking a cab for the end of the show as not only did Uber increase their rate because of the surge caused by the number of theater goers but my driver got lost, leaving me standing on the street at 3am.

A really impressive, historical venue. Although it has been completely rebuilt since the Shakespearean days, you can still get a feel for what would have been like to sit through an original showing of Macbeth or Romeo and Juliet. The circular, open air theatre hosts a number of performances throughout the year (mostly Shakespeare classics), all of which are portrayed by a superb cast of traditional actors. Even if you don't fancy seeing a show, it is worth a visit just for the guided tour. A fascinating and informative way to spend an afternoon.

The Globe Theatre is an Elizabethan playhouse dating back more than 500 years in London.

OK, so the one standing today isn’t the original where Shakespeare first mesmerised his audiences (how incredible would that be?!), it is a recreation of the original not too far from where the original playhouse once stood proudly and entertained the Elizabethan masses after the original was burnt down following an accident in 1613.

Situated right beside the ever so pretty, river Thames, the Globe Theatre is very easy to get to. Take the scenic route and get off at St. Paul’s Underground Station where you’ll cross the river via one of London’s coolest bridges, the Millennium Bridge to get to the Globe.

Shakespeare's are still being performed every year and you can watch Shakespeare’s play for a measly sum of £5. Yes, really. You’ll see famous  Shakespeare brought to life by world-class actors. The only catch with your £5 ticket is you’ll be standing in the yard directly in front of the stage. £5 to see a play in an Elizabethan theatre? Standing is a small price to pay if you ask me. If you prefer to sit, expect to pay more, naturally. Start queuing as early as 45 minutes before performance time to be one of the first few to be let into the grand, old theatre and secure a great viewing spot - typically right in front of the stage at the actors feet!

Once you’re inside, take a moment to look up around the intimate surrounding to admire the old English oak beams that holds the The Globe together, the walls that were reconstructed using the same materials and construction method more than 500 years ago and the intricate paintings that decorates the theatre’s stage.

If you haven’t the time to stay for an afternoon/evening of laughter and drama, there is a museum right beside the Globe where you can get up close and personal with Elizabethan props, collections that were once used in Elizabethan theatres. Regular tours are also held where you’ll get to learn everything there is to know about Shakespeare and The Globe from the ever entertaining and knowledgeable guides.

Needless to say, this is a must-see/visit for every Shakespeare super fans. But whether you’re a Shakespeare fan or not, The Globe Theatre is an attraction not to be missed by both young and old. It’s a gem of London and one that needs to be seen with your own eyes.

I love this place, each production is amazing. Warning the seats can be uncomfortable and there is no rain shelter- so if it is raining bring a poncho. They have an indoor theater next door that is only lit by candlelight which I love. It is really small and personal, the one production I did go in that theater was very good. I cannot comment on the general quality of the productions, however, when you buy the tickets you can pick many titles. I did giggle a bit to myself when I received tickets that said I was countess. 

Stunning venue! Great location on the riverside too. Tends to show Shakespeare plays, but also has occasional other offerings for non-Shakespeare fans. There are lots of £5 standing tickets available for most shows, which are great value, However, be aware that you are not protected from the rain in these standing sections. There is a great pub nearby, called The Swan I think, where you should plan a pre- or post-show drink. 

I have never seen a production here but did the exhibition & theatre tour as a Timeout offer. I really enjoyed it. On a bright winters afternoon I was amazed how ornate & grand it is inside. It's a beautiful building. The guide was enthusiastic & entertaining & gave great insight into what it would have been like in Shakespeare's time. I'm definitely coming back in the supper to experience a play as it was intended.

A magical experience. You'll be lured into The Globe immediately with its cool, authentic design echoing the original Globe. My only word of warning is please please be careful if you're booked restricted view seats...because depending on where the actors stand, it may be no view. Also secondly if you have any problems standing for extended periods, careful with the standing tickets! Cos it's a long time. However, the setting is out of this world along the River Thames, and anything you see in The Globe is usually fabulous! You can have a nice drink inside the grounds and reserve more for the interval. If it rains and you're seated, you should remain dry, if you're standing, not so much! But on a great day, the atmosphere and the architecture inside are stunning. Enjoy.