The Globe?

Stephanie,

when it comes to things to do/see, in my opinion its up to you or you all. have you readup on what it has to offer?

i have been to London several times and so far i have not stepped foot in it nor have i walked by it. I havent been to Westminster Abbey either, but i have tried a couple times.

I'm sure you will get mixed results and maybe not, but it will be interesting.

happy trails.

Google it to learn more, like about where the money came from to build the amazing replica. We were in London in October 2009. Naturally there were no performances because of the time of year, but I thoroughly enjoyed the tour. I think it is definitely worth a go and hope to get back sometime to see a play there during the performing season. I'll pay for a seat, though. I'm long past the age of standing the whole time in the middle open to the sky.

Because it's outdoors, there won't be any productions on, but you can take a tour. http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/exhibition/exhibition-tour-opening-hours

The Globe is definitely an experience worth having. You can get standing tickets (which means standing, you MUST STAND THROUGHOUT THE PERFORMANCE, no sitting on the ground) for only £5. Seated tickets are rather more expensive. The seated tickets are under cover but if the wind blows rain in through the open front of the stands you may still get wet.

Plays are performed from late March until very early October. The Shakespeare plays now tend to sell out well in advance. New plays often have more tickets available close to opening night, but if there's good reviews and buzz the later performances tend to sell out rapidly.

In the winter there are plays at the new indoor Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. This is all-seated but quite cramped and the seats still aren't very comfortable. It also has a small capacity so plays tend to sell out fast.

One issue is the age of your children and how enthusiastic they are about plays. IMO, it is cruel to children and an imposition to fellow audience members near you if they are going to get bored and act up during a 2-3 hour play. If you just want to see the theatre during the performance season, you should go to the exhibition entrance in the morning, where you can get tours of the theatre when plays aren't being performed.

Yes. Absolutely go. Fascinating place.

Although it's not in the videos, the Globe is definitely a 2-star site (on a scale of 0-3) on Rick's list and covered in his London guidebook.

My wife and I were in London this summer and made seeing a performance of "Julius Caesar" at the Globe a top priority. Absolutely put it on your list. Quality production values, fine performances and a great venue. Even the house-brewed craft beer was excellent. Cannot recommend me the Globe enough.

Hi. I have been to the Globe at least 4 times in recent years. The setting and productions have been routinely entertaining, including the only tragedy I saw: Macbeth. I have had tickets on the second and third tiers, at least one with restricted views (all the way on the side near the stage), again, Macbeth. Actually, that restricted view was really great in that I was closer to the actors.

Children - there are many children in the audience. There is so much to see: if up high, you see pigeons on the thatch, you see airplanes and helicopters over the Thames. There are "clowns" who suddenly appear at times on various tiers. Groundlings frequently are called upon to play group parts in the plays, for instance, a group of dead in Macbeth, with the witches popping up unexpectedly from time to time.

During the Macbeth production, I sat next to two mothers with two boys of about 10. They entertained each other, and when Macbeth and wife got somewhat passionate, the moms sent the boys down to get crisps and snacks. From the third floor down to the ground, selecting snacks, and then climbing back up, well, it took awhile.

Don't know the age of your children, maybe nothing this year would appeal? The plays were just announced, though not the actors, yet: http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/theatre/whats-on.

Lots of interesting sites nearby, for instance, the London Eye.

Hope this helps. Debbie

The Globe is a good take and not to far from the London Eye and Millennium Bridge - both good takes

I loved seeing a performance there and it was an pretty obscure one. And it didn't rain...

Only you'll know if your children can stand 2-3 hours on solid wood benches (even renting the cushions only helped a little; I can't imagine standing). If not, a daytime tour would be worthwhile to see how a historical theater would have looked.

Thank you all, I believe our trip will be in the off season, but I believe we will enjoy a tour of the theater. Thank you so much!

Thank you all, I believe our trip will be in the off season, but I believe we will enjoy a tour of the theater. Thank you so much!

Here is something quite wonderful which will whet your appetite . I have linked part 3 , but you will do well to watch the entire series . Part three includes information about The Globe .http://youtu.be/TF0M8470SUs

Hi Stephanie,

My 11 year old son and I went to the Globe on our trip to London this past spring. He had also been studying Shakespeare and The Globe as part of his school curriculum. We absolutely loved it. I had been to London several times before but had never put this stop on my London itinerary (mistake). In addition to the tour of the theatre, there is a museum/demonstration area that has several interactive stations where guests can learn more about Shakespeare, the theatre etc.. While we were in this area of The Globe, two actors came out and demonstrated sword fighting techniques used during theatrical productions. The tour itself was great largely due to the quality of our guide who was an apprentice actress. It looked like they had several good guides, all of whom were very enthusiastic. For my son and I, it was definitely a highlight of our trip.

Hi Stephanie -

I'll to add to the pile. Go. You wont be disappointed. The reconstruction is fantastic. From St. Paul's, just walk south across the Millennium Footbridge. Facing south on the bridge, the Globe is just to your left, with the Tate Modern directly in front of you.

They even have a website: http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/

EDIT: Just realized other folks had given you the website already. :)

I think Stephanie and her crew are in London now . . . or on their way there.