Globe Theatre questions
 

I'm travelling to London in the summer of 2011 and am curious about the Globe Theatre.

I love Shakespeare and, as an English teacher, have the Globe Theatre in the #1 spot of tourist attractions in London. However, my husband and three sons do not share my love of Shakespeare. :(

I plan to incorporate a tour of the theatre at the bare minimum. However, I am hoping we can see a play, as well. We will have limited time in London, so I will have a difficult time rationalizing spending too much time at the Globe.

So, my questions...
1) How is the tour? Approx. how long is it?

2) How long are the plays at the Globe? Do you need to be there much before? I'd love to have a time estimate. I understand there are Saturday matinees which will fit perfectly with our schedule.

3) When are the plays for the upcoming season announced? I have a few favorites that will help make my decision.

Thank you!!

I can only answer question #1, since the season hadn't yet begun when we visited. I seem to remember the tour was about an hour. You get a timed ticket when you go in the door and can occupy yourself with fascinating displays until the tour begins. We were there in October and just walked in the door and the tour started in about 10 minutes. We found the tour very worthwhile, particularly if you like Shakespeare. I think even your family would get something out of it. But if they don't want to accompany you, the Theatre is along the river and there are lots of restaurants/pubs in the area, as well as great people-watching. Next door is the Tate Museum if they want to see some far-out art.

I think the tour is about an hour. And rickmav has some good suggestions about what they can do while you tour.

We LOVED seeing King Lear--about a 3 hour production I think? I think the seasons' plays are listed in January perhaps? If you decide to see a play, I would urge you to get tickets ahead of time and not be a groundling--too long to stand! You don't have to be there very much ahead if you don't want to, as you will have an assigned seat (unless you've only sprung for groundling tickets).(For our King Lear, the skies actually opened up and rained a little, on the King as he stood on the projection out from the covered stage, during his "storm on the heath" speeches--priceless!) As a fellow English teacher, I can't urge you enough to make it happen--it's a spectacular experience!

Check out the official website at www.shakespeares-globe.org. It will answer a lot of questions. The length of performance will depend on what is showing that season. They release the schedule several months in advance. We saw a short play that was about 2 hours(including intermission). Unless you choose to stand, your seats are specific reserved seats. You can rent cushions and back rests.
The staff is also very good at answering questions via email. I would encourage you to definitely attend. Perhaps this could be your special "treat" in London and the guys could go also (make it your 2011 Mother's Day present). They will not be disappointed by the experience.

OK - you love Shakespeare, the rest of the family doesn't. So go to a play at the Globe solo. London is a very safe and easy place to navigate on one's own. You go to a performance, let the guys do something they want. It would be a shame for you to miss it - and a shame to force the others to "waste" 3 hours doing something they don't enjoy. Win, win, win IMO.

The tour is fine - but not a substitute for a performance. And yes, get a seat - don't do 'goundling' or you'll end up hating Shakespeare too :)

I've been to Globe productions twice in the past few years. My older daughter and I saw a production of "The Tempest" which we really didn't like, but this past summer my family and I saw their production of "As You Like It' and thought it was great! If your family is not that keen on Shakespeare, I suggest you try a comedy-they usually go over better than a tragedy or a history.

Really? They wouldn't even like a good comedy?

Seats are the only way. Have fun. You'll love it!

thereyet

My daughter, age 20, loved being a "groundling" when seeing a play with her friends. They got soaking wet as it rained during the play and she felt she had a very authentic Shakespeare experience. I, however, would opt for a seat!

If the Globe wouldn't particularly interest your husband and sons they should go elsewhere as there is so much to see and do in London.

Go on a Friday or a Saturday, and they could have the option to visit Borough Market instead. Or any day of the week, they can go and see HMS Belfast, which isn't that far away.

A performance at the Globe was a highlight of a trip with my husband and daughter a few years ago. By all means go, even if your family chooses not to accompany you. I would try to convince them to go, however.

Thank you, everyone, for your advice. I think I will wait until the schedule is released in January before my final decision is made.
At the least, we will do the tour of the Globe. If it is a comedy (or one of my favorites!), we will all go to the play, as well. In this case, we will definitely get seats, as suggested by many of you.
Although I definitely appreciate the alternate suggestions for my husband and sons, we will most likely be sticking together. It sounds like they will enjoy a good production, as well!

Yes, stick together. They can do it, just as I'm sure you'll do something with them that is tops on your list. It's all about the fun of experiencing things together.
If they don't enjoy it, they can laugh about it in the years to come (remember when Mom dragged us to that play...). Go for it.
I also have 2 boys.

I meant to say "that isn't tops on your list."

One reason to consider going solo - not that you don't LOVE having the whole family together, but 24/7 w/ no breaks from each other can be difficult. There isn't enough time to see everything on everyone's wish list, so being able do do some things on their own means everyone can be happy/satisfied.

"What was the most memorable theater performance we have ever seen?". For my wife and I the answer is typically a riveting production of Richard III we saw at the Globe in 2003. One way or the other, you at least, should not miss a play there. Yes, get seats.

Also, directly across the street from the globe is an excellent Turkish restaurant, Tas Pide. If that intrigues you go early for a memorable pre-show dinner.
http://www.tasrestaurant.com/tas_pide/index.htm