Shakespeare’s Globe and Tate Modern Museum, London, England

Jun 18, 2023 | England, Museum, Show

Shakespeare’s Globe is a modern reconstruction of the original Globe Theatre.  Tate Modern is known for its extensive collection of modern and contemporary art.

Shakespeare’s Globe: 21 New Globe Walk, London SE1 9DT
Tate Modern: Bankside, London SE1 9TG

Walking to Shakespeare’s Globe.

Looking back

Walking past the Tate Modern Museum which is next to Shakespeare’s Globe

The entrance to Shakespeare’s Globe

Behind the entrance is this white building which has the stage and the sits for the audience

The place is right next to the Thames River

The original Globe Theatre was built in 1599 on the south bank of the River Thames in London. It was owned by a company of actors called the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, of which Shakespeare was a member. The Globe Theatre became the primary venue for the performance of Shakespeare’s plays, as well as works by other playwrights of the time.

The original Globe Theatre had a distinctive round shape and an open-air design, allowing for large audiences to gather and watch performances. It had three levels of seating and a standing area in front of the stage. The stage itself was a platform that extended into the audience, with minimal scenery and props. Performances were held during the day, relying on natural light.

Unfortunately, the original Globe Theatre was destroyed by a fire in 1613, but it was rebuilt the following year. In 1642, all theaters in England were closed by an order of the Puritan government, and the Globe Theatre was demolished in 1644.

In 1997, a reconstruction of the Globe Theatre, named Shakespeare’s Globe, was opened near the site of the original theatre. The modern Globe was designed to closely resemble the original, using historical references and the architectural knowledge available at the time. It features an open-air design, thatched roof, and oak timber construction.

I saw the play called “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and it was hard to understand because it spoke with Shakespeare’s words.  I read the play’s synopsis before the show, so I understood what was happening even though I did not get the details of their words.

Shakespeare’s Globe hosts performances of Shakespeare’s plays and other works, adhering to the original performance practices as closely as possible. The theatre offers a unique experience for audiences, with many standing in the yard area just as they did in Shakespeare’s time.

Next to Shakespeare’s Globe is the Tate Modern Museum.

The museum opened to the public in May 2000 and has since become one of the most visited art museums in the world. It showcases artworks from the year 1900 to the present day, covering various art movements and styles, including abstract expressionism, minimalism, pop art, surrealism, and more.

Tate Modern’s collection includes works by influential artists such as Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Louise Bourgeois, and many others. The museum features a diverse range of media, including paintings, sculptures, installations, photography, video art, and performance art.

The building itself is an iconic feature of Tate Modern. The former Bankside Power Station was transformed into a museum by architects Herzog & de Meuron, who retained the industrial character of the building while introducing modern elements.