Shakespeare's Globe Theatre Auditorium

Standing on the South Bank of the Thames, opposite St Paul’s Cathedral, Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre is a faithful reconstruction of the original open air theatre where many of Shakespeare’s greatest plays were performed.  It is a 3-storey, white-walled construction, and looks a bit like a wedding cake.  It looks round, but in fact has 20 sides, many oak beams, small windows and a thatched roof.

"What I love about the Globe is that it emanates great energy, vitality, colour and creativity, and is, for me as a musician, a unique space acoustically."

Alison Balsom worked with VocalEyes Describer Jo Myers on the description of Shakespeare’s Globe theatre.

Alison Balsom

Alison Balsom has been a professional classical trumpeter since 2001 and is considered one of classical music’s great ambassadors.  She has been honoured with numerous awards by Classic FM, Gramophone and ECHO Klassik, and is a triple Classic BRIT award winner.

In 2009, Alison headlined The Last Night of the BBC Proms, a concert which reached its biggest ever global television audience, with viewing figures at an estimated 200 million.

In 2010, she made her US television debut, appearing with the Orchestra of St Luke’s, on The Late Show with David Letterman.

As part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, Alison performed Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto in E flat major and Ástor Piazzolla’s Libertango, (arrangement: Julian Malone for trumpet) with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and in August 2012 she will play with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl.

A committed advocate of musical education for children and young adults, Alison is Patron of the Mayor’s Fund – a scheme providing music scholarships for hundreds of London schoolchildren, and is Visiting Professor of Trumpet at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Directions, Access and Additional Information

Exit Mansion House tube station onto Cannon Street and turn left towards Queen Victoria Street. Turn right onto Queen Victoria Street and continue past Painters' Hall on the left and follow the signposts towards the new Millennium bridge. Turn left into the approach to the new London Millennium Footbridge which can be accessed both by steps and ramps and continue over and exit onto Bankside. In front of you will be the Tate Modern and to the left is the Globe Theatre which can be accessed through the New Globe Walk Entrance.

The Globe auditorium can only be accessed as part of a visit to the exhibition or on one of the tours. The Globe site includes an open air theatre, exhibition space, restaurants and shops.  A separate entrance to the Exhibition is accessed via a ramp on Bankside.

At Shakespeare's Globe Theatre there are regular performances made accessible for disabled people including the audio described performances with VocalEyes.  There is a dedicated Access Information Line which operates from 10am-5pm, Monday to Friday, offering advice on specialised services for disabled people.  Telephone 020 7902 1409 or email access@shakespearesglobe.com.

The exhibition and theatre tour are available from 23 April to 5 October, Monday to Saturday 9am - 12.30pm and from 1pm - 5pm and on Sunday from 9am - 11.30am and 12pm - 5pm (includes a visit to the Rose Theatre site).
 
Parking - There is limited parking in New Globe Walk and the surrounding area on display of a Blue Badge.  There is an NCP car park on Upper Thames Street on the north side of Southwark Bridge which closes at 7.00pm on Saturdays and Sundays.