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15Shakespeare's Globe Audio Guide
Shakespeare's Globe is a landmark in Greater London, United Kingdom. Explore it with Stanza's GPS-triggered offline audio guide — available in 15 languages.
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📍 Greater London, United Kingdom · 51.5081°N, -0.0972°E
About Shakespeare's Globe
Shakespeare's Globe is a world-renowned reconstruction of the original Elizabethan playhouse associated with William Shakespeare. It serves as a working theatre and educational center located on the south bank of the River Thames.
This self-guided audio tour features 15 narrated stops organized across 6 sections, including The Globe Exhibition and Lobby, The Yard: The Groundlings' Experience, The Thrust Stage and the Heavens, The Seating Tiers and Thatched Roof, The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Historic Bankside and Cardinal's Wharf. As a theater, Shakespeare's Globe offers a unique cultural experience in the heart of Greater London, United Kingdom.
The Stanza audio guide is available in 15 languages and works entirely offline — download the complete tour including audio narration, maps, and images before your visit. As you walk through Shakespeare's Globe, GPS-triggered narration plays automatically at each point of interest.
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What you will hear
The Globe Exhibition and Lobby
Focusing on the educational aspects and the decades of research required to rebuild the theatre.
The Layout of the Wooden O
The structure is a twenty-sided polygon, a shape that creates a nearly circular interior while using straight timber beams. Reaching this design required years of painstaking academic work. Historical advisor John Orrell conducted meticulous research, using 17th-century sketches and architectural clues to determine the exact dimensions and shape of the original 1599 playhouse. Orrell even analyzed the shadows in historical drawings to calculate the building's height and diameter. This model demonstrates how the stage and the seating galleries interact within that confined, circular space. The reconstruction isn't just a guess; it is a faithful academic effort to understand how the original architecture influenced the way plays were written and performed. By looking at the model, you can see how the galleries wrap around the central yard, ensuring that every spectator feels part of the action. The layout emphasizes the communal nature of Elizabethan theater, where the audience was as much a part of the environment as the actors on the stage. This shape helps the voice of a single performer reach every corner of the house without modern amplification.
Dressed for the Elizabethan Stage
In the 16th century, strict sumptuary laws dictated what people could wear based on their rank and wealth. The costumes you see here are created using the same fabrics and hand-stitching techniques that would have been used in Shakespeare's time. This attention to detail serves the Globe’s broader educational mission. The theatre acts as a living laboratory where scholars and performers can test how historical clothing affects movement, voice, and character interaction. Heavy wools, stiff silks, and elaborate ruffs were not just fashion choices; they influenced how an actor carried themselves and how they occupied the stage. By recreating these garments, the Education Centre helps modern audiences understand the visual cues that an Elizabethan crowd would have instantly recognized. A specific fabric or a certain shade of dye could tell the audience everything they needed to know about a character's status before a single line was spoken. This commitment to historical accuracy turns every performance into an exploration of the physical reality of the past. The weight and restriction of these garments directly inform the pacing and gestures of the actors on stage.
The Yard: The Groundlings' Experience
Entering the main theatre to experience the perspective of the standing audience.
The Groundlings' Yard
This standing area, often called the pit, can accommodate up to 700 spectators. In 1599, this was the most affordable place to see a play, costing just one penny. Today, the tradition continues, with groundlings standing for the entire duration of the performance, rain or shine. If you look down at the ground, you'll notice an unusual surface. It is composed of concrete mixed with crushed hazelnut shells. This choice was inspired by archaeological excavations at the site of the original Globe and the nearby Rose Theatre. Archaeologists found thick layers of hazelnut shells in the ground, suggesting that they were used as a cheap and effective flooring material to soak up moisture and provide a stable standing surface for the crowd. The shells were essentially the 16th-century version of gravel. This detail is a subtle nod to the archaeological discoveries that made this reconstruction possible. Standing in the yard today provides the same unmediated, close-up perspective that thousands of Londoners experienced centuries ago. It remains one of the most vibrant and energetic places to experience a live Shakespearean performance.
The Thrust Stage and the Heavens
Examining the heart of the theatre where the action happens, including the ornate ceiling decoration.
The Thrust Stage
Unlike modern theaters where a proscenium arch creates a fixed wall between the actors and the audience, this thrust stage puts the performer right in the middle of the crowd. Spectators are positioned on three sides of the stage, meaning the actors are constantly surrounded. This arrangement creates an intimate and shared experience. Actors often address the groundlings directly, making the audience feel like participants in the story rather than passive observers. There are no microphones used here; the architecture itself is designed to carry the voice to the back of the galleries. The stage is raised to roughly eye-level for those standing in the yard, ensuring that the groundlings have a clear view of the action. This configuration was central to the success of Shakespeare’s plays, which were written with this specific spatial relationship in mind. It allowed for dynamic movement and a level of interaction that is difficult to achieve in more traditional, modern theater settings. Every movement on this stage must account for the eyes watching from every angle, making the blocking of a scene three-dimensional and fluid.
The Heavens
The underside of the stage roof is ornately decorated with zodiac signs, stars, and mythological figures against a deep blue background. This ceiling didn't just provide decoration; it represented the celestial realm in the symbolic geography of the stage. The stage floor represented the earth, and the area beneath it—accessed via another trap door—represented hell. Here in the Heavens, a large trap door is built into the center of the painting. This was used for spectacular special effects, allowing gods, spirits, or other supernatural characters to be lowered onto the stage using a winch and pulley system. It allowed for dramatic vertical movement that added a layer of spectacle to performances. The pillars supporting the canopy are painted to resemble marble, another example of the Elizabethan love for visual trickery and trompe l'oeil. By looking up, the audience was reminded of the broader cosmic order that often played a role in the themes of the dramas unfolding below. This ornate ceiling is one of the most colorfully decorated parts of the entire interior theater space.
The Seating Tiers and Thatched Roof
Looking at the wooden galleries and the unique architectural features of the roof.
Social Hierarchy in the Galleries
While the groundlings stood in the yard for a penny, more affluent patrons paid extra for the comfort of a seat in these covered galleries. The total seated capacity of the reconstruction is 873 people. The higher you sat, and the more central your position, the more you likely paid. Of particular note are the 'Lord's Rooms,' which are located in the gallery directly above and behind the stage. While these seats didn't necessarily offer the best view of the actors' faces, they offered the best view of the rest of the audience. For the wealthy and influential, being seen at the theatre was often just as important as seeing the play itself. These galleries are built using the same oak timber framing seen on the exterior, with simple wooden benches for seating. In Shakespeare’s day, you could even pay an extra penny for a cushion to make the long performances more bearable. The vertical arrangement of the galleries ensured that the theatre could accommodate a wide cross-section of London society, from common laborers to visiting nobility.
Open to the Elements
There is no roof over the central yard, meaning both the groundlings and the actors are exposed to the changing London weather. Performances are scheduled during the summer season, running from May through October, to take advantage of the natural daylight. There is no artificial stage lighting used for afternoon shows, which replicates the conditions of the 16th century when plays had to conclude before sunset. This openness creates a unique set of challenges and opportunities. Actors must project their voices over the sounds of modern Bankside, including the hum of traffic, the sirens of emergency vehicles, and the occasional helicopter passing overhead. When it rains, the sound of water hitting the thatched roof and the sight of umbrellas in the yard become part of the shared experience. This lack of a ceiling removes the artificial barrier of the theater, connecting the performance directly to the environment of the city and the passage of time throughout the day. It forces a heightened awareness of the natural world that few other modern theatrical venues can offer.
The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
A transition to the indoor candle-lit theatre, representing the Jacobean era.
The Education Centre
While the reconstructed theatre is the most famous part of the complex, the surrounding brick structures are essential for the institution's survival. Shakespeare's Globe receives no annual public subsidy from the government. Instead, it operates as an independent charity, generating its own revenue of approximately £24 million each year. This income is raised through ticket sales, guided tours, and the diverse activities of the Education Centre. This center serves thousands of students and teachers annually, offering workshops, lectures, and research opportunities that explore Shakespeare’s work through performance. It is one of the largest theater education departments in the country. The complex also includes a library, archive, and exhibition spaces. This infrastructure allows the Globe to function as a year-round cultural hub, rather than just a seasonal performance space. The modern brick architecture was designed to complement the historic theater while providing the necessary facilities for a world-class educational and cultural organization in the heart of London. The bricks used here are a nod to the industrial history of the South Bank.
Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
This indoor theater is a reconstruction of a Jacobean-style playhouse, the kind that became popular in London during the early 17th century. While the main Globe represents the large, public outdoor theaters used in the summer, this playhouse represents the smaller, private indoor venues used during the winter months. The space is constructed almost entirely of wood and is illuminated solely by beeswax candles. This creates a soft, flickering light that dramatically changes the atmosphere of a performance compared to the natural light of the main stage. Actors must work with the shadows and the intimacy of the space, as the audience is much closer to the stage than in the main theater. The use of candlelight isn't just for aesthetics; it allows the company to explore how 17th-century plays were originally staged and viewed. The Playhouse enables the Globe to host performances throughout the winter, ensuring that the site remains active year-round while providing a unique venue for intimate dramas and chamber music. The acoustic properties of the timber interior are specifically suited for smaller ensembles.
Historic Bankside and Cardinal's Wharf
Stepping outside to see the historic neighborhood that once housed the original 1599 Globe.
Near the Original Site
Although this reconstruction is world-famous, it does not sit on the exact spot where the original 1599 Globe once stood. That site is located about 230 meters away, currently marked by a commemorative plaque and partially covered by a 19th-century listed building and a modern housing complex. When Sam Wanamaker was looking for a location for his dream, this specific plot of land was chosen because it was the closest available space to the original site. It was important to keep the theater in its historic Bankside neighborhood, but the team also needed enough room to meet modern safety codes and building regulations. By placing it here, just a short walk from the original foundations, the reconstruction remains connected to the geography of Shakespeare’s London. You can still see several historic buildings in this area that survived the centuries, giving a sense of the narrow streets and riverside character that would have been familiar to Elizabethan theatergoers as they made their way to a show. The walk between the two sites illustrates how much the neighborhood has evolved.
Want to hear the rest?
Download the Stanza app to unlock all 15 stops and full GPS-guided navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the Shakespeare's Globe audio tour take?
The Shakespeare's Globe audio guide includes 15 narrated stops. Most visitors spend 45 minutes to 1.5 hours exploring the complete tour, though you can listen at your own pace and skip or revisit any stop.
Is the Shakespeare's Globe audio guide available in my language?
Yes. The Shakespeare's Globe audio guide is available in 15 languages: English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, Arabic, Korean, Dutch, Polish, Turkish, and Bulgarian. Both audio narration and text are provided in every language.
Can I use the audio guide offline at Shakespeare's Globe?
Yes! Download the complete Shakespeare's Globe tour — including all audio, maps, and images — before your visit. The Stanza app works completely offline, so you don't need WiFi or mobile data at the venue.
How much does the Shakespeare's Globe audio guide cost?
The Stanza app is free to download on both iOS and Android. Individual audio guides, including the Shakespeare's Globe tour, can be purchased within the app for a small fee — typically between $1.99 and $4.99.
How do I use the Stanza audio guide at Shakespeare's Globe?
Download the free Stanza app, search for "Shakespeare's Globe", and download the tour. When you arrive at the venue, the app uses GPS to detect your location and automatically plays the relevant narration as you move between points of interest — completely hands-free.
What makes the Stanza audio guide different from other Shakespeare's Globe tours?
Stanza offers GPS-triggered narration that plays automatically as you walk through Shakespeare's Globe — no need to manually select stops. The tour is available in 15 languages, works fully offline, and includes 15 expertly narrated stops with images and historical context.
What other audio guides are available near Shakespeare's Globe?
Stanza offers multiple audio guides in Greater London, United Kingdom and nearby areas. After downloading the app, browse the map to discover all available tours near Shakespeare's Globe. Each guide can be downloaded for offline use.
