Hear ye, hear ye, good gentles and kindred spirits! Pray, turn your ear to this tale most marvellous, of a wonder that graces the fair city of London – the Globe Theatre! Forsooth, a place where art and magic intertwine, and where the Bard’s spirit doth still reside.
In this bustling metropolis, where horse-drawn carriages have yielded to iron horses, and quills to quenchless screens, stands this timbered O, an emblem of a bygone age, yet more alive than ever. By the river Thames it rests, an unyielding sentinel, having risen, Phoenix-like, from the ashes of its former self.

I. The Sphere’s Genesis
In days of yore, circa the end of the sixteenth century, a vision did alight upon certain players and men of vision. They sought a space to let their art shine, free from the prying eyes of the Puritans. Thus, from the timbers of The Theatre, an older playhouse dismantled by these very men, did the Globe emerge in the year of our Lord, 1599. By the hands of carpenter Peter Street and under the watchful eyes of Burbage brothers and the Bard himself, William Shakespeare, this wooden marvel was brought to life.
II. A Temple of Tales
Inside its circular embrace, the Globe witnessed the birth and death of kings, the loves and losses of many a forlorn lover, and the mischief of fairies. ‘Twas here that Juliet did lament her Romeo, Othello was consumed by his jealousy, and Puck played his mischievous pranks. The yard, where groundlings for but a penny did stand, roared with laughter, gasped in surprise, and shed tears aplenty, whilst the nobles in the galleries nodded in approval or disdain.
III. Its Fiery Demise and Resurrection
Alas, like many a tragic hero of Shakespeare’s own creation, the Globe too had its fall. In the year 1613, during a performance of ‘Henry VIII’, a misfired cannon set its thatched roof ablaze, and down it went, consumed by fiery rage. Yet, like the indomitable spirit of the plays it hosted, it rose again a year later, only to be silenced once more by the Puritans in 1642.
Centuries passed, but the Globe’s spirit was not to be quenched. In the late 20th century, the vision of a certain Sam Wanamaker, an actor and producer from a land far across the sea, ignited the spark of resurrection. With passion, dedication, and an unyielding spirit, a new Globe, as faithful to its predecessor as could be in this modern age, was constructed and opened its doors in 1997.
IV. The Globe Today: A Marriage of Yesteryears and Tomorrow
Today’s Globe is not just a relic, but a living, breathing entity. It marries the old with the new in harmonious union. Still constructed of oak, with a thatched roof (the only such in London!), it stands as a testament to the age-old traditions of theatre. Yet, it acknowledges the present, hosting not just Shakespearean dramas but new plays and experimental performances, bringing together audiences from all walks of life.
V. The Bard’s Invitation
If thou art in London, be it as a native or a traveller from distant lands, make haste to the Southwark district. Let the cobblestone paths, which once felt the footsteps of Elizabethan playgoers, lead thee to this theatre of dreams. Join the mirthful groundlings or take a seat in the lofty galleries. As the actors take the stage, let the words wash over thee:
“All the world’s a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances…”
In the heart of London, the Globe stands as a testament to time’s passage, to the enduring spirit of the arts, and to the timeless genius of Shakespeare. It invites you, kind reader, to be a part of its legacy, to immerse yourself in its tales, and to let the magic of the theatre transport you to realms untold.
In conclusion, good gentles, the Globe Theatre is not just a monument, but a living piece of history, a bridge between the golden age of Elizabethan theatre and our modern world. It beckons you to be a part of its grand tale, which, like Shakespeare’s own plays, is timeless and evergreen.

Where can I find The Globe?
The Globe is situated on the south side of the River Thames, right next to the Millennium Bridge.
Address: Globe Theatre, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT
020 7902 1400
The Globe Exhibition Opening Hours: Daily 9-5pm