What are the best places to see Shakespeare plays in London? Follow my Shakespeare London guide for all the options.
London is the city where Shakespeare made his name, where his plays were first performed, and where the tradition of staging his work has continued, largely unbroken, for four centuries.
When you visit London you have a nice choice of venues that stage Shakespeare plays.
I’ve seen Shakespeare plays at several London theatres over the years. Each one offers a different experiences. The venue shapes the production as much as the cast does.
I created this guide to help you choose where to see Shakespeare plays in London with all the main options and what makes them unique, plus some tips from my own experience.
Table of contents
Shakespeare London guide: theatres and venues
Shakespeare’s Globe
The Globe is the obvious starting point for Shakespeare fans.
This is an unusual open-air theatre, circular, and built from oak and thatch.
It’s a faithful reconstruction of Shakespeare’s original 1599 theatre. It’s located just a few hundred metres from where the first Globe stood.
You can learn more about how this theatre was constructed on a Globe guided tour.
Productions at the Globe are staged largely as they would have been in Shakespeare’s time.
The audience is standing in the yard or seated in the wooden galleries surrounding the stage.
Last time I saw a show at the Globe I got standing tickets with a friend, and we both got there early to stand close to the stage. We were literally leaning against the stage.
This is the place to go for the most authentic experience.
Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
The Wanamaker is one of the most beautiful theatre spaces in London.
It sits within the Globe complex, just next door, and it’s an entirely different experience.
Modelled on an indoor Jacobean playhouse, it’s an intimate candlelit space seating around 340 people.
The plays are performed entirely by candlelight. It’s particularly well suited to Shakespeare’s darker, more psychological plays.
Royal Shakespeare Company at the Barbican
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is based in Stratford-upon-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare.
If you get to travel around England, I highly recommend visiting this lovely medieval market town.
The RSC brings its productions to London from time to time and they’re performed at the Barbican Centre.
The Barbican is a huge cultural centre with a large, modern theatre.
Incidentally, it also has the most comfortable seats I’ve ever experienced in a London theatre…
RSC poductions tend to be large-scale, meticulously designed, and performed by some of the finest classical actors.
The staging is often bold and contemporary, and plays are sometimes reinterpreted. This is in contrast to the Globe, which keeps them authentic.
The National Theatre
The National Theatre doesn’t specialise in Shakespeare, but when it does produce his plays occasionally.
National Theatre Shakespeare productions are typically landmark stagings, ambitious, and often featuring major names from British stage and screen.
The National Theatre is located on the South Bank, a short walk from the Globe.
West End theatres
From time to time, a major Shakespeare production, often following a sell-out run at the Globe, the RSC, or the National Theatre, transfers to a commercial West End theatre.
Unlike some famous West End shows, these Shakespeare plays often run for a limited time only.
To find what Shakespeare plays are on and where, some theatre ticket sites let you search for the word “Shakespeare”.
Here are links to the filtered results I use:
You’ll be able to see what’s currently running, as well as dates of upcoming shows, so you can plan ahea
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre
Inside Queen Mary’s Gardens in the heart of Regent’s Park, this Open Air Theatre is a bit of a hidden gem in London.
It’s also one of my favourite London experiences. I try to see a play there whenever I’m in the city.
You sit in a large amphitheatre surrounded by trees, and you get a great view of the stage from just about any seat.
The Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre features a Shakespeare play every summer, performed under the open sky.
Shakespeare London guide: my experience and tips
Know the plot
Read the play or at least a synopsis before you go. You can also watch a film based on the play as preparation.
In my experience, it’s best to come prepared. It helps tremendously when you need to follow what’s going on on stage in Shakespearean English.
If you’re really short on time, you can find study guide for the play on YouTube and watch it on your way to the theatre.
Shakespeare plays aren’t the easiest to follow if you don’t know the plays or have no background in theatre. If you need alternatives, I’ve curated a list of the best London plays for first timers that are more accessible.
Pick a summer performance
Plan to see a play in summer if you can, as both the Globe and the Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre operate mainly in summer.
If you visit when they’re closed, you still have some other options: Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Royal Shakespeare Company at the Barbican, the National Theatre, or the West End. Dates vary so plan and book ahead.
Book standing or seated tickets for the Globe
If you can stand for a couple of hours, it’s a great way to see Shakespeare in London. You’ll have performers occasionally playing directly to you.
Standing tickets are extremely cheap for London. Traditionally, these used to be for poor people, but now they’re for excited tourists and loyal fans.
Wear comfortable shoes and arrive early for a good spot near the stage. Also, bring a warm layer for the evening even in summer.
I know standing for so long isn’t ideal for many people. Seated tickets in the galleries are more comfortable, though you won’t get that immediate connection with the performers.
Have you seen Shakespeare plays in London? Got any other tips for this Shakespeare London guide? Share them in the comments.
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