Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
pressive options, often starring recognizable names; while ugly on the outside, the acts
that play out upon its stage are beautiful (looming on the South Bank by Waterloo Bridge,
www.nationaltheatre.org.uk
). Since 2003, Kevin Spacey has been the artistic director of
The Old Vic
theater. He has directed and appeared in several productions, and has enlisted
many big-name film directors and actors for others (tucked behind Waterloo Station,
Royal Shakespeare Company:
If you'll ever enjoy Shakespeare, it'll be in Britain. The
RSC performs at various theaters around London and in Stratford-upon-Avon year-round.
To get a schedule, contact the RSC (Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, tel.
0844-800-1110,
www.rsc.org.uk
)
.
Shakespeare's Globe:
To see Shakespeare in a replica of the theater for which he wrote
his plays, attend a play at the Globe. In this round, thatch-roofed, open-air theater, the plays
are performed much as Shakespeare intended—under the sky, with no amplification.
The play's the thing from late April through early October (usually Mon 19:30, Tue-Sat
14:00 and 19:30, Sun either 13:00 and/or 18:30, tickets can be sold out months in advance).
You'll pay £5 to stand and £15-39 to sit, usually on a backless bench. Because only a few
rows and the pricier Gentlemen's Rooms have seats with backs, £1 cushions and £3 add-on
back rests are considered a good investment by many. Dress for the weather.
The £5 “groundling” tickets—which are open to rain—are most fun. Scurry in early to
stakeoutaspotonthestage'sedge,wherethemostinteractionwiththeactorsoccurs.You're
a crude peasant. Youcan lean yourelbows onthe stage, munch a picnic dinner (yes, youcan
bring in food), or walk around. I've never enjoyed Shakespeare as much as here, performed
as it was meant to be in the “wooden O.” If you can't get a ticket, consider waiting around.
Playscanbelong,andmanygroundlingsleave beforetheend.Hangaroundoutsideandbeg
orbuyaticketfromsomeoneleavingearly(groundlingsareallowedtocomeandgo).Afew
non-Shakespeare plays are also presented each year.Ifyoucan'tattend ashow,youcan take
The Globe is opening a new, indoor Jacobean Theatre within the Globe complex (hope-
fully in time for your visit) that will allow top-quality Shakespearean and other plays to be
performed through the winter. Check online or call the Globe box office for details.
To reserve tickets for plays at the Globe, call or drop by the box office (Mon-Sat
10:00-18:00, Sun 10:00-17:00, open one hour later on performance days, New Globe Walk
entrance,noextrachargetobookbyphone,tel.020/7401-9919).Youcanalsoreserveonline
(
www.shakespearesglobe.com
, £2.50 booking fee). If the tickets are sold out, don't despair;
a few often free up at the last minute. Try calling around noon the day of the performance to
see if the box office expects any returned tickets. If so, they'll advise you to show up a little
more than an hour before the show, when these tickets are sold (first-come, first-served).
