Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Tour & Exhibition

Shakespeare's Globe Exhibition is the world's largest exhibition devoted to Shakespeare and the London in which he lived and worked. Housed beneath the reconstructed Globe Theatre on London's Bankside, the exhibition explores the remarkable story of the Globe, and brings Shakespeare's world to life using a range of interactive displays and live demonstrations.

Visit the exciting and often dangerous world of Elizabethan London where in 1599, Bankside was the entertainment center of the capital packed with gambling dens, brothels, bear-baiting pits and theaters. Ordinary people flocked to see Shakespeare's plays and they laughed, cried, shouted abuse at the actors, ate and drank during the performances.

As a visitor to the Exhibition you'll discover how shows were produced in the theaters of Shakespeare's time, from writing and rehearsals to music, dance and performance. Learn about the traditional crafts and techniques used during the process of rebuilding the Globe and find out how special effects were produced in Shakespeare's time - from thunder and lightning to flying on stage and realistic blood and gore. Listen to recordings from some of the most Shakespearean performances ever or join the cast and add your own voice to a scene recorded by Globe actors. Create your own Shakespearean phrases in the word jungle, watch a sword-fighting display and browse the costume collection, where you can find out about the extraordinary methods used in creating clothes 400 years ago.

A visit to the Exhibition includes a guided tour of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre where storytellers take you on a fascinating half-hour tour of the auditorium. Journey through time to Elizabethan London with their colourful tales of the 1599 theater experience as well as the reconstruction process of the 1990's and how the wooden 'o' works today as an imaginative and experimental theatrical space.

Tour Info

From 23rd April until 10th October 2009

Exhibition

Open 9am 6pm

Globe Theatre Tours

Monday all day from 9am 5pm

Tuesday to Saturday 9am 12.30pm

Sunday 9am 11.30pm

Out of Theatre Season, from 11th October 2009

Exhibition

Open 10am - 6pm

Globe Theatre Tours

Every day, all day from 9am - 5pm

2009-2010 Schedule

Oct 09 - March 2010* - 10.00-17.00 - Globe tours run all day

* According to the 2010 Theatre Season dates. To be announced in November 2009

April 10-Sept 10*: 09.00 -17.00 - Mon-Tours run all day - Tues-Sat: Last tour at 12.30pm - Sunday: Last tour at 11.30am.

During our Theatre Season, Tours to the Globe Theatre will be restricted to the above schedule as matinees and evening performances take place inside the auditorium.

Visitors coming outside of these hours will be offered an alternative tour to the archaeological site of the Rose Theatre, built in 1587 on Bankside. It is the only Elizabethan Theatre that has been excavated on a large scale in 1989.

Important note: rehearsals will also take place throughout the year. Please note that access to the Globe Theatre may be restricted. Times and availability of the exhibition is occasionally subject to change without prior notice.Please contact us for the latest updates on +44 (0)20 7902 1500.

The Globe Theatre is a faithful reconstruction of the Elizabethan playhouse. Experience today's working theatre and visit the world of Bankside, the Soho of Elizabethan London.

Groups of 15+ must be pre-booked & receive 1 free ticket in every 16.

Adult: 18+

Child: 5 - 15

Concession: Senior 60+, Student: 16+ with valid ID

Shakespeares Globe 2009 Theatre Season Young Hearts includes Shakespeares Romeo & Juliet, As You Like It, Troilus & Cressida and Loves Labours Lost as well as three new plays The Frontline, Helen and A New World. The Season also includes two UK tours of The Comedy of Errors and A Midsummer Nights Dream.