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Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London , SE1 9DTGetting here
Closest Tube Station
Mansion House, Cannon Street, London BridgeClosest Train Station
Cannon StreetThe Sam Wanamaker Playhouse - a candlelit theatre
It's no secret that the the iconic Shakespeare’s Globe houses two extremely different performance spaces. The Globe is home to the outdoor Globe Theatre and the indoor Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. Now nine years old, the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is modelled on the candlelit theatres of Shakespeare’s London.
The history of The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
The Playhouse, which bears the name of The Globes' founder Sam Wanamaker, is modelled after the indoor lighted theatre Shakespeare and his contemporaries were familiar with. Although it is not a replica of a particular location, it echoes the Blackfriars Playhouse, which was used by Shakespeare's theatre company starting in 1609.
About The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse
The cosy Sam Wanamaker Playhouse accommodates performances, concerts, educational seminars, and events all year long. It is lit by over 100 beeswax candles. The theater's primary performing season runs from October to April, although there is also a full calendar of activities throughout the summer.
Sam Wanamaker always wanted Shakespeare's Globe to include an indoor theatre, therefore the Playhouse's brick shell was constructed at the same time as the remainder of the Globe site. But the shell wasn't converted into a playing area until 2012, when work finally started.
In collaboration with the architects Allies & Morrison, The Globe's Architecture Research Group created a "archetype" of the early modern indoor playhouses found in London. The design is based on a set of designs for a theatre from the late seventeenth century created by John Webb, a former aide of Inigo Jones. The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse's design was based on these sketches.
The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse Seating Plan
The Playhouse is a 340 capacity indoor venue.
Rough Magic is the current production at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. The upcoming booking period for Rough Magic at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse starts 20/07/2024 11:00:00 and runs until 24/08/2024 15:00:00. Tickets for Rough Magic start at £19 and are available to book now.
The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is located on the same site as Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, in the busy and creative Bankside area of London. It rubs shoulders with a variety of other cultural hotspots along the banks of the River Thames including the Tate Modern art gallery, and National Theatre.
When getting to the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, keep an eye out for the distinctive Tate Modern chimney to ensure you’re heading in the right direction.
Rail
Blackfriars National Rail station is about 10 minutes’ walk away from the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. Choose the South Bank exit and walk through the Blackfriars underpass. Turn onto Bankside and follow the river past the Tate Modern to reach the theatre.
London Bridge is also nearby; after exiting the station, walk along Bankside for 15 minutes to reach the theatre.
Tube
The nearest tube station is Blackfriars (District and Circle lines). It is about 10 minutes’ walk away from the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, via Blackfriars passage and Bankside.
Southwark underground station (Jubilee line) is a 15 minute walk away. You can catch the 63 bus to King’s Cross from here to Blackfriars station, then cross the river to the theatre.
Bus
Blackfriars station is a busy transport hub with many bus routes including the 45, 63 and 100 stopping outside. If you are catching the bus to the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, Mansion House is also served by many routes including the 15, 17 and 26. From Mansion House is a nine minute walk to the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse via Queen Street.
Car
If you are driving to the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, parking at NCP on Thames Exchange is nearby. Prices start at £11.85 for 2 or more hours. Blue badge holders can park on New Globe Walk and other nearby roads, but spaces are limited.
Taxis can usually drop theatregoers on New Globe Walk, and there is a taxi rank at London Bridge station.