A unique Shakespearean day at The Globe
Friday, 20 September 2024
The Livery Committee proudly presents : A unique Shakespearean day at The Globe
The Stationers’ Company are delighted to offer a unique behind-the-scenes visit to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre on Friday 20 September.
Hosted by fellow Stationer and Shakespeare enthusiast Marcus Coles, the memorable day recognises the historical bond between the Stationers, the Globe and the Bard.
The day includes:
*** An expert talk on how the First Folio came to be;
*** The chance to see an original First Folio edition;
*** A guided backstage tour of The Globe;
*** Optional lunch with fellow Stationers;
*** Box seats for an afternoon performance of The Comedy of Errors (also optional).
The morning talk and tour is limited to 45 people and Stationers can take one guest. Tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
THE TALK
The first printed edition of Shakespeare’s collected plays was registered at Stationers’ Hall on Wednesday November 8, 1623. Known today as the First Folio, it provides us with versions of 36 plays that are probably closest to the way Shakespeare originally wrote them.
Freeman Marcus Coles, a First Folio fanatic, will show us the Munro First Folio (one of the 235 surviving copies) in its glass case at The Globe and tell us how this wonder of the literary world came to be.
Marcus was the founder of Folio400, the organisation which led the celebrations around the First Folio’s 400th birthday last year.
A wonderful First Folio facsimile (published last year by the British Library in collaboration with Folio400) will be on hand to look through. The talk will last about an hour with time for questions.
THE GLOBE
The theatre is a faithful reconstruction of the open-air playhouse in which Shakespeare worked, and for which he wrote many of his most famous plays.
An expert guide/storyteller will provide us with a fascinating tour of the auditorium, vividly recreating colourful stories of the 1599 Playhouse, the London Shakespeare would have known and the Globe reconstruction process in the 1990s.
You’ll also be able to explore the new walk-through exhibition space. Immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and secrets of Shakespeare’s London, travelling through over 400 years of fascinating history.
THE LUNCH
We recommend lunch at The Swan restaurant at 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, where a set menu is available from £29. This is optional and must be booked individually.
There are a number of other places to grab lunch nearby at varying prices, or you can bring a packed lunch if you wish and eat it by the river.
THE PLAY
This is an optional add-on at an extra cost. We have 20 exclusive box seats (the most comfortable) available for an afternoon performance of The Comedy of Errors, a five-star classic which is back by popular demand.
It is Shakespeare’s shortest and one of his most farcical comedies, with a major part of the humour coming from slapstick and mistaken identity, in addition to puns and word play.
A review on the WhatsOnStage website described the play as “The Globe at its most joyous.”
THE COST
Morning tour and exclusive talk by Marcus is £40.
Tour, talk and box seat for the afternoon performance is either £95 full view or £75 slightly restricted view.
Once all our box seats are taken, and we expect there to be huge demand, there may be other box seats available at £48 to share with members of the public. We can inquire on your behalf.
All other seats can be booked directly with The Globe box office.
The cost of your day includes a donation to the Stationers’ charities.
THE TIMETABLE
9.45 am: Meet at 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, SE1 9DT.
10.00 am: Talk with Marcus Coles in the Nancy Knowles Lecture Theatre, max 45 people.
11.15 am: Guided tour of the Globe.
12.15 pm: Lunch.
2.00 pm: Performance of The Comedy of Errors.
HOW TO BOOK
Early booking is essential as places are strictly limited and demand will be very high. Each Stationer can book a place for one guest only.
To make your booking, email LivCom treasurer Dave Rosewell
dave.rosewell@icloud.com and indicate if you’d like the £40, the £95 or £75 package and whether you want one ticket or two.
He will reply to you in due course with details of how to pay the money into the Stationers’ account.
Please note that bookings are on a first come, first served basis. If box seats are already taken, Dave will notify you of what alternatives are available. Tours and performances at The Globe go ahead whatever the weather!
