Shakespeare's Globe Theatre represents one of the most ambitious and successful reconstruction projects in theatrical history. Our exclusive tours provide unprecedented access to this living laboratory of Elizabethan drama.
A Reconstruction Born from Passion
The modern Globe Theatre stands just 200 meters from the site of the original playhouse where William Shakespeare worked as actor, playwright, and shareholder. The reconstruction project, championed by American actor Sam Wanamaker, took nearly three decades to complete and opened to the public in 1997.
Our private tours begin with the story of this remarkable reconstruction. Using traditional building techniques and materials, craftsmen recreated a working Elizabethan playhouse. The oak frame was joined using 16th-century methods, the roof was thatched with Norfolk reed, and the stage was built to the exact specifications discovered through archaeological research.
Experiencing Shakespeare as Intended
Standing in the yard as a "groundling" or seated in the galleries, visitors experience Shakespeare's plays much as their original audiences did. The open-air design means performances are at the mercy of London weather, just as they were 400 years ago. This authenticity creates an immediacy and intimacy that modern indoor theatres cannot replicate.
Our exclusive access includes opportunities to stand on the stage itself, feeling the energy of the space from the performer's perspective. The acoustics, designed without modern amplification, allow an actor's voice to reach every corner of the playhouse through careful architectural planning and traditional performance techniques.
The Art of Elizabethan Stagecraft
The Globe's design reflects the ingenuity of Elizabethan theatre. The stage extends into the audience, creating an intimate relationship between performers and spectators. The iconic balcony, used in scenes from Romeo and Juliet and countless other plays, demonstrates how Shakespeare wrote specifically for this architectural space.
During our tours, guests explore the tiring house (backstage area) where actors would have changed costumes and waited for their entrances. The space is deliberately cramped, reflecting the practical limitations that influenced how plays were structured and performed.
Modern Research and Historical Practice
The Globe serves as more than a tourist attraction; it's an active research facility where scholars and practitioners explore Elizabethan performance techniques. Our tours include access to ongoing research projects, from studies of original pronunciation to investigations of historical staging practices.
The Original Practice productions, performed in period costume using historical staging techniques, offer insights into how Shakespeare's plays would have appeared to their original audiences. These productions use all-male casts, as was the custom in Shakespeare's time, and rely on natural lighting and minimal sets.
Educational Workshops and Masterclasses
Vibra Current's Globe experiences extend beyond tours to include educational workshops led by the theatre's resident practitioners. These sessions explore Elizabethan acting techniques, historical dance, and the art of speaking Shakespeare's verse in the acoustic environment for which it was written.
Participants learn about the physical demands of performing in period costume, the significance of gesture and movement in Elizabethan theatre, and the relationship between actor and audience that made the Globe a revolutionary theatrical space.
The Wider Shakespeare Complex
Our comprehensive tours include the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, the Globe's intimate indoor theatre that recreates a Jacobean playhouse. Lit entirely by candles, this space offers a completely different theatrical experience, showcasing the variety of venues where Shakespeare's plays were performed.
The exhibition spaces house remarkable collections of period costumes, musical instruments, and artifacts that illuminate daily life in Shakespeare's London. Interactive displays allow visitors to experience the sounds, smells, and textures of Elizabethan theatre.
Meeting the Globe Community
The Globe attracts artists, scholars, and theatre enthusiasts from around the world. Our private tours often include opportunities to meet with visiting researchers, international actors participating in Globe productions, or members of the education team who work with schools and universities globally.
These encounters provide insights into how Shakespeare's work continues to inspire and challenge contemporary artists. The Globe's international program brings productions from around the world, demonstrating Shakespeare's universal appeal and cultural adaptability.
Planning Your Globe Experience
The best time to visit the Globe depends on your interests. The summer season (April to October) offers outdoor performances in the main playhouse, while the winter season in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse provides intimate candlelit productions. Our tours can be scheduled year-round, with each season offering unique insights into the theatre's operations.
For the most comprehensive experience, we recommend combining your Globe visit with our other London theatre tours, creating a journey through the evolution of British drama from Shakespeare to the modern West End.