Shakespeare’s Globe has developed a series of informative, family-friendly tours and exhibits this winter, focusing on the open-air theatre’s historical context and cultural significance. Visitors can expect a detailed look into the year 1599, with expert guides providing historical insights into the Elizabethan period, the theatre’s founding, and its enduring place in London’s cultural history.
Guided tours of the Globe include a historical overview of the theatre’s construction, its role in Shakespeare’s time, and the unique performance practices of the period. Guides highlight 400-year-old stories that reveal how Londoners of the Elizabethan era experienced theatre, the sociopolitical backdrop of the performances, and Shakespeare’s impact on the arts and culture of his time.
An interactive exhibition complements the tour, offering hands-on experiences. Visitors can examine original-style stage costumes and learn about the materials, design, and symbolism of Elizabethan clothing. The exhibition also includes demonstrations of traditional stage sword-fighting techniques and insights into Renaissance costume practices, illustrating aspects of the period’s everyday life and the practicalities of stagecraft.
For those visiting during autumn, the Globe also features a Ghosts & Ghouls Tour, a historical exploration focused on Elizabethan beliefs around the supernatural. This tour examines Shakespeare’s fascination with ghosts and spirits and presents stories and beliefs that influenced his work, offering insight into the era’s cultural perspective on the supernatural.
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