The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is an indoor theatre that forms part of the Shakespeare’s Globe complex on the South Bank of the River Thames in London, United Kingdom.
Purpose and Design
- Opened on 21 April 2014, the Playhouse is a reconstruction of a typical early‑17th‑century indoor playhouse, such as the Blackfriars Theatre.
- The space is designed to be illuminated by candles, replicating the lighting conditions of Jacobean performance venues.
- Architectural elements include a wooden‑beam ceiling, plaster walls, and a thrust stage that extends into the audience area.
Capacity and Facilities
- The auditorium seats approximately 300 spectators, providing an intimate setting for performances.
- It contains a small orchestra pit and backstage areas suitable for productions requiring minimal staging.
Naming
- The theatre is named in honour of Sam Wanamaker (1919–1993), an American actor, director, and producer who led the campaign to reconstruct Shakespeare’s Globe in the latter half of the 20th century.
Programming
- The Playhouse presents a year‑round programme that includes Shakespearean works, contemporary plays, and period pieces suited to its candle‑lit ambience.
- Notable productions staged in the venue have included The Tempest (2015), Twelfth Night (2016), and The Duchess of Malfi (2018).
Administration
- The Playhouse is managed by the Shakespeare’s Globe charitable organisation, which oversees all theatrical and educational activities at the Globe complex.
Location
- Situated behind the main open‑air Globe theatre, the Playhouse shares the same public access points and is integrated into the overall visitor experience of the Shakespeare’s Globe site.
