The Globe Theatre on the South Bank of the Thames is a 'must' visit for anyone in London with an interest in William Shakespeare and the 16th century – and understandably it is on the itinerary for most visiting Americans and Japanese as well as students. This theatre was built on a site close to the original Globe and designed to replicate the 16th century design as far as possible. This ambitious project was led by Sam Wanamaker, the American actor and director and it was opened by the Queen in 1997. As in Shakespeare's time, three tiers of seating surround the stage on three sides and the centre is open for standing – but be warned, it is also open to the sky so watch the weather forecast and take a raincoat! To see a performance it is as well to book on line – www.shakespearesglobe.com – and note that you can also book a cushion so that your enjoyment is not spoiled by the hard wooden seating! And if climbing flights of stairs is a problem, book a seat on the ground floor level. Most, but not all the performances are of Shakespeare's plays (we saw a rollicking performance of 'All's Well that Ends Well') and there is a wide range of choice to suit most tastes. The adjoining museum is also worth a visit, and the restaurant also has a 16th century ambience, The Globe is not easy to reach by London Underground, but the Thames boat service is an additional experience and lands you right at the door.
