The Globe Theater London

Don't think so. Might depend on the time of year your traveling though. Here's the FAQ link from the Shakespeare's Globe website. http://www.shakespearesglobe.com/uploads/ffiles/2012/05/169710.pdf Even though the other grand daughter isn't that into Shakespeare I must say seeing Much Ado About Nothing
there was one of the best moments of my many trips to London. You all might reconsider and attend a performance. If you do decide to attend a show then yes, buy tickets in advance. Your granddaughters are so lucky to be able to visit London with you!

There's a tour backstage of the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden that might interest all of you. http://www.roh.org.uk/

Thanks for these other suggestions too. They will be 14 and 16 when we take them next year.

If you want to do a tour of the theatre and not see a play you need to go in the morning. Usually there are performances in both the afternoon and evening and you will not be able to have a theatre tour.

Has the granddaughter that doesnt like it ever seen it performed or just been forced to read it?? Seeing is different than reading.
Also there are "groundling" tickets that cost just £5 each. You stand for the performance but maybe since it's not too expensive you could go to a performance and if it gets too boring leave and you wouldn't be out too much money. Just another option. Whatever you decide, have a great time!!

Your non-Shakespeare granddaughter may be pleasantly surprised by a show. The actors often make it much more fun to see than read, especially with a comedy. Ask her to consider it-- she would probably find an actual show less boring than the tour!

A friend just back from a UK visit with her Grandson (who is keen on theatre and 18 years old) and they had seats for The Taming of the Shrew. She says ".... is a replica of the Globe Theatre of Shakespeare's day, where audience participation is encouraged, particularly if you happen to be a 'groundling' in the (court)yard, standing for the entire performance of the play!" While it is a replica it is built on the site of the original Globe and in the style of the old Globe Theatre.

This is sounding so exciting - I'm going to have to talk to them about this. Sounds like so much fun. Thanks.

Sharon I second the suggestion of trying to see a play, even if one granddaughter is not keen on Shakespeare. Productions at the Globe tend to be quite broad brush. Because of the size and type of the theatre they don't go for difficult and 'modern' productions. As a result they are very accessible. And, as other people have said, the whole atmosphere is really exciting. Alan PS If you want to eat before a play there is a nearby Pizza Express which has great views of the river. (Pizza Express itself is an English chain but the food is OK.) Or, if you like middle eastern food, there's a really nice restaurant - Tas Pide - right next to the theatre http://www.tasrestaurants.co.uk/tas_pide/index.htm

One further quick warning: if you buy standing "groundling" tickets you do need to stand throughout the play. So it's not a good idea to do this at the end of a day of hardcore sightseeing, as this can lead to at best very sore feet and muscles and at worst people fainting. Spend the few hours before sitting down somewhere unless you're very fit.

More on "groundling" tickets - a London friend recommended buying seats so you have the option to sit, but then standing in the groundling area for the play. He said it was much more fun to be really close to the action.
I have been to London several times with my daughter ; we've never managed to see a play at the Globe but have enjoyed LOTS of other theater. We also enjoyed two nights in Stratford-upon-Avon, including two performances at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre and tours of Anne Hathaway's Cottage, Mary Arden's Farm, and a walking tour of Stratford. PM me if you'd like more details on either location. And have a wonderful time, all of you - your granddaughters are very lucky!

The "groundling" does require you to stand all the time- however, if you opt for seats, take a cushion with you- those wooden seats get awfully hard and unforgiving after only half an hour- you dont say how old your granddaughters are, if young (say under 12) you may just want to try the tour first- you get to try out the seats. it will be of interest as they explain the experience to you. Your granddaughters can then judge wether to try for a performance

We saw Taming of the Shrew earlier this month, and had a great time! We got our seats online the day they went on sale, and also paid for the cushion rental (just 1 pound each, and you can get cushions with a back as well as ones just for your bum) and the excellent program at the same time. The show was really terrific, and the groundlings definitely were having fun with the actors moving around them.

Try to convince your other granddaughter to take in a show, especially if it's a comedy (and make sure that she reads the synopsis first. If she's not into shakespeare, this will make the old English easier to follow). Groundling tix are fun, and you can come and go as you please, but I prefer a seat. I usually walk everywhere in Europe, so the respite is nice. Although there is something about the Globe... Everytime that we're there, someone faints. Weird. Anyway, I see LOTS of Shakespeare, and nothing compares to the Globe (except for Stratford-upon-Avon). don't miss it if you can.

Quick correction: Shakespeare is in modern English. This is Old English.

OK, perhaps I should have said "older" English. I would argue that "Thou dost protest too much" isn't quite what we consider modern English, but your point is well taken. You'll notice that I didn't capitalize "old", so I wasn't strictly shooting for Beowulf. To be technical, Shakespeare is Early Modern, but that's symantics. It sounds "old" to most people... You're point is accepted, though ;-)