There’s something magical about walking in the footsteps of history, especially when it’s wrapped in poetry, drama, and the enduring words of William Shakespeare. On April 23rd, Shakespeare Day and the date believed to mark both his birth and death, we wanted to reminisce about our visit to the iconic Globe Theatre in London.
I had taught Shakespeare plays from Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night to Key Stage 3, to Macbeth and The Merchant of Venice at KS4, and one of my favourite things to do with Year 7 was our Globe Theatre project. The students were given four weeks to make the theatre out of whatever they wanted or create a scene from the play we had studied (Romeo and Juliet) and deadline day was always hilarious when the students were knocking on your classroom door at 8.30am wanting to keep their works of art safe in my room until lesson time, and piled high in my room, you would see Globe Theatre chocolate cakes, loo roll structures, lollipop stick creations, cereal box recycling- you name it, they went to town. Please take a moment to revel in how amazing they did!
It’s a surprising and almost surreal sight to see the Globe Theatre nestled in the heart of modern London, surrounded by sleek glass buildings and bustling city life; a timeless wooden structure that seems to have leapt out of the past and landed right among the skyscrapers. Pete and I were running along the Thames, frantically, panicked that we were going to be late and I vividly remember shouting to him "we're never going to make it in time- we must be ages away!" and all I can remember is Pete chuckling as The Globe suddenly emerged on our right. It was the first time seeing it in the flesh and it was completely breathtaking. Grand and imposing and full of history, I was honestly tearful. We were here!
Every effort is made to make your experience enriching and realistic. We had bought tickets in the Lower Gallery (I was tempted to be a Groundling) and it was so fun renting a cushion pad for the benches and going to get a drink before the play started.
From the moment we stepped inside, the air was thick with the spirit of Elizabethan theatre. The creaking timbers, open-air stage, and the hum of fellow visitors all contributed to an atmosphere that felt both timeless and alive. Whether you're a lifelong fan or just dipping your toes into Shakespeare's world, the Globe offers a unique blend of history, performance, and inspiration that’s hard to match. I was so excited. Even the hand sanitiser stations got the memo!
After teaching Macbeth for years, and teaching Pete all about it, we were both so eager for the play to start. For those of you who are new to Macbeth, it's a dark and powerful tragedy by William Shakespeare that tells the story of a Scottish general whose ambition leads him down a deadly path. After receiving a prophecy from three mysterious witches that he will become King, Macbeth, spurred on by his equally ambitious wife, murders King Duncan and takes the throne. Consumed by guilt and paranoia, he descends into tyranny and madness, with devastating consequences for himself and those around him. It’s a haunting tale of ambition, fate, and the corrupting power of unchecked desire and I was super intrigued to see this particular take on it with modern dress that is fast-paced (90 mins) and designed to be accessible Shakespeare from beginners to experts.
The acting was brilliant. Matti Houghton's portrayal of Lady Macbeth was equally captivating and sinister; she executed the role perfectly and her manipulation of Macbeth was incredibly accurate and compelling. Max Bennett played Macbeth very well, and it was not what I was expecting, as he was quite humorous from time to time. Watching his portrayal of Macbeth descending to a guilt-ridden tyrant was enthralling from start to finish but don't get me started on the witches. Played by three men in white overalls, and using an electric blender for the famous "double double toil and trouble" cauldron scene had me in stitches and when a character died, they would roll them around the stage on a gurney. They provided lots of laughs and read the lines really well.
Now, yes I was super excited to watch this play, but, I digress that I was equally (if not a tad more) excited for the gift shop. NOBODY TOLD ME HOW GOOD IT WAS OMG. I think I spent longer in there than the length of the production. Running around screaming at all the Macbeth merch was the most fun I've ever had. From rubbers that had "out damned spot" on them to badges saying "something wicked this way comes", it was delightful and a lot of my pocket money disappeared. What a dream it is of mine to have my stock in this amazing shop.
I really didn't want to leave. We had then booked to go see Shakespeare's house in Stratford- Upon- Avon (another blog post pending!) but the magic of The Globe was one of my most cherished memories. Even the Underground map surrounding the theatre had been designed using Shakespearean characters and it was soooo much fun for Shakespeare fans like myself.
Visiting The Globe Theatre was an unforgettable experience that brought Shakespeare’s world vividly to life for me. From its authentic design to the energy of the space itself, it felt like stepping back in time. Surrounded by the modern city, the theatre stands as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of storytelling and performance. Whether you're a theatre lover or just exploring London’s rich history, the Globe is a place that truly captures the imagination. I couldn't recommend going more if I tried!
Shakespeare Day is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the brilliance of the Bard in fun and meaningful ways. Whether you're a teacher bringing his plays to life in the classroom with creative performances or activities (why not try making The Globe as a class), a parent sharing a favourite sonnet at home, or simply a fan revisiting a beloved play, there are so many ways to connect with his work. You could host a dramatic reading, watch a film adaptation, explore the themes of his plays through discussion, or even try speaking a few lines in iambic pentameter yourself. Explore our Shakespeare collection of literary wax melts, hand-poured from a sustainable rapeseed and coconut wax and embellished with beloved quotes from Shakespeare's plays in a range of beautiful fragrances, they make the perfect book-lover gift. Not sure which plays they like? Check out our Shakespeare Botanical wax melts, a celebration of Shakespeare's profound knowledge and appreciation of botany in everyday life and how it is cleverly woven into his work. If you are into the classics, explore our full collection at shelfaware.co.uk.
However you choose to celebrate, it’s a chance to appreciate the timeless power of his words and the way they continue to inspire across generations.
"The more pity that fools may not speak wisely what wise men do foolishly."
— As You Like It (Act 1, Scene 2)
Why not grab some air dry clay and recreate The Globe like Pete did? What fun we had! “With mirth and laughter let old wrinkles come.”
— The Merchant of Venice (Act 1, Scene 1)
Hope you enjoyed! Lottie x
