Shakespeare's Globe

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Lonely Planet review

The Globe is a near-perfect replica of the building on this site where Shakespeare himself worked in from 1598 to 1611. Even if the particular production you attend comes across a bit 'theme-park Shakespeare' - and they occasionally do - you'll never forget being in this up-close-and-personal open-roofed theatre in the round.

Because the building is quite open to the elements, you may have to wrap up. No umbrellas are allowed, but cheap macs are on sale.

The theatre season runs from May to September and includes works by Shakespeare and his contemporaries such as Christopher Marlowe. The theatre's new artistic director, Dominic Dromgoole, has decided to introduce new writing and we can't help but think that old William would have liked it that way.

A warning: two pillars holding up the stage canopy (the 'Heavens') obscure much of the view in section D; you'd almost do better to stand. In winter plays are staged in the new indoor Inigo Jones Theatre, a replica Jacobean playhouse at the Globe.