Please use the questions below to find out information on all aspects of visiting the Globe for a performance. If you can't find the information you're looking for, please email info@shakespearesglobe.com.
Important Information
Ticket Booking
Performances
About the Globe
Eating and Drinking
Jobs and Work Experience
Important Information
Please read before booking.
Visibility
The roof of the stage and all gallery seats are held up by pillars and there is no seat in the theatre from which the action is not obscured at some point.
Weather
All seats are covered, but the theatre is open to the elements and performances continue whatever the weather. Umbrellas are not permitted but rain macs may be purchased in the theatre.
Stairs
There are 28 steps to the middle gallery and 50 steps to the upper gallery. If you have problems climbing stairs or suffer from vertigo you are advised to request tickets in the lower gallery. Please contact the Duty House Manager on your arrival if you require mobility assistance.
Seating and Yard
Seating consists of wooden benches. Yard tickets are standing only. Please do not bring shooting sticks or chairs.
Cloakroom
There is no cloakroom for the theatre and patrons are asked to keep their belongings with them at all times. The management reserves the right to search any bag taken into the theatre and refuse access with large items.
Children
A ticket is required for anyone aged 3 and over. If your child cries or causes a disturbance you will be asked to leave and may not be readmitted to the theatre.
Drinking in the theatre
Glass is not permitted in the theatre. Items should not be placed on the stage.
Ticket booking
All tickets are posted 1st class on the day of booking. For performances fewer than 7 days in advance, tickets are left for collection at the Box Office. If collecting tickets from the venue, the card holder and card used at time of booking must be present in order to release the tickets.
What can I do if my tickets have not arrived?
Please bring your booking confirmation and the card used to purchase the tickets to the Box Office on the day of the performance and we will be able to re-print them for you.
Can I request to pick my tickets up from the Box Office?
If you would like to collect your tickets from the theatre Box Office instead of having them posted to you then please email the Box Office at tickets@shakespearesglobe.com along with your booking reference number immediately after you have purchased your tickets.
Do you offer concession tickets?
Concession tickets are available for under 18’s (with valid ID); they receive a £3 discount on all seated tickets. Access patrons are entitled to a half price seated ticket, or two for the price of one when bringing a companion. We have an Access Registration Scheme for disabled patrons to enable us to better understand your needs. Concessions are not available online.
You have incorrectly charged me for my tickets - what can I do?
Please contact the Box Office on 020 7401 9919 or email tickets@shakespearesglobe.com explaining the error, along with your booking reference.
I have made an error when booking and have purchased the wrong seats - what can I do?
Shakespeare’s Globe does not offer refunds once tickets have been purchased. However, you may wish to return your tickets for attempted resale. Please note there will be a £2 administrative fee per booking and the resale of tickets cannot be guaranteed. If you wish to return your tickets for resale please send them to:
Shakespeare’s Globe Box Office
21 New Globe Walk
Bankside
SE1 9DT
We can only accept genuine Shakespeare’s Globe issued tickets. We cannot accept agency tickets or photocopies.
When does the returns queue start?
The returns queue starts approx 1 hour before the performance start time. If returns are available they will be sold for cash only on a first come, first serve basis to the people queuing. Returns are not guaranteed. The queue is located outside the foyer on New Globe Walk.
I cannot seem to book a large number of theatre tickets online, why is this?
In order to comfortably accommodate all large groups in the theatre we ask that you call the Box Office directly. We can only accept bookings online for groups of up to 9 people.
Do you sell theatre tokens?
Yes, we sell Society of London Theatre Tokens in person at the Box Office. These can also be bought at www.theatretokens.com. Theatre tokens are also accepted by the Globe Box Office. We do not sell ‘Globe specific’ theatre tokens.
Performances
What are the running times for your performances?
Until the opening night of a show it can be very difficult to estimate a performance’s running time. As soon as we know the running time it will be posted on the show’s page on the website. As a guide, most of our performances last for between 2 hours 30 minutes and 3 hours, including the interval.
What does standing mean?
Standing means watching a performance from the yard. The yard has one of the best views of the stage - you are not sitting. Please do not bring any items to sit on. If you are uncomfortable standing for the full length of the show please purchase a seat ticket from £15.
Does the Globe use understudies?
Unlike many subsidised theatres the Globe does not have understudies. In the event that an actor is unable to perform another acted will be drafted in, and will read from the script on stage. In the event of an actor being indisposed we are unable to offer refunds or exchanges on tickets already purchased. Tickets are sold for productions, not on the inclusion of a particular actor.
Do you have cushions or seat backs available for hire?
Cushions and seat backs are now available to hire online when you book your tickets.
Please note seat backs and cushions must be ordered at the same time as your tickets online, they cannot be booked separately. Otherwise you can hire cushions and seat backs from the Piazza up to one hour before the performance begins. Please note that these are not permitted in the yard.
Are children welcome?
Children and families are welcome to any of the performances at the Globe however any child or group disturbing a show in any way will be asked to leave. Theatre performances are not suitable for babies and children under 3 years. The theatre tour and the associated exhibition are the ideal places in which to introduce children to Shakespeare. Patrons with younger children may like to explore the possibilities afforded by Globe Education's ChildsPlay programme.
Is food and drink allowed in the theatre?
Yes, drinks must be in plastic containers only.
How can I find out about productions in future seasons?
The theatre season details are usually announced online in the previous November, with full information and schedule available from January. Public booking opens in February. For updates please join our free emailing list here »
Are there performances from October to April?
As an open-air theatre we are subject to the elements and therefore there are no performances from October to April. However, we do have a year-round Exhibition that explores the life of Shakespeare and the history of the Globe. This includes a guided tour inside the theatre. For more information please click here »
About the Globe
Where is the nearest tube station?
St Paul's (Central Line), Mansion House (District and Circle lines), London Bridge (Northern and Jubilee Lines).
For more information on how to find us please click here »
Is there any parking?
Parking is very limited around the Globe itself. There is an NCP car park on Upper Thames Street on the north side of Southwark Bridge(open 24 hours, seven days a week).
Is there a cloakroom?
Shakespeare’s Globe has no cloakroom facilities and we are therefore unable to store luggage. For safety reasons large backpacks and cases cannot be taken into the theatre. Staff reserve the right to carry out random bag searches.
Is the theatre air conditioned or heated?
No, the theatre is open-air. The temperature is dependent upon the weather. Please dress accordingly.
What happens when it rains?
Those in seats will be under the protection of a sound roof. Those standing in the yard are at the mercy of the elements. The show will continue regardless. No umbrellas are allowed to be put up in the yard at any time.
What are your opening hours?
We are open every day from 10am – 6pm. The opening times of our Exhibition, Bar and Brasserie and Box Office are also open at other times. For full information on these please follow the links below:
For Exhibition opening hours please click here »
For Bar and Brasserie opening hours please click here »
For Box Office opening hours please click here »
Box Office hours are Monday to Friday 10am – 6pm.
Eating and Drinking
Is there a bar?
Yes we have a stunning bar, The Swan at Shakespeare’s Globe, overlooking the Thames. A range of drinks is also on sale during the performance from carts on the Piazza.
Is it possible to reserve a table at the Brasserie for pre-performance meals?
Yes, for all information about eating and drinking at the Globe please click here »
Jobs and Work Experience
Do you offer work experience placements?
Most departments offer a range of Internships of various lengths. More information about these can be found here.
Applicants must be aged 18 or over. We are unable to offer short term work experience, and cannot accept or respond to unsolicited CVs.