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Image courtesy of Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

London Bridge

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Times

Show timings depend on the seasonal programming

Duration

Shows last anywhere between one hour and 30 minutes to three hours

Age

All ages

Accessibility

Please contact venue

About

Step inside the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, an intimate candlelit theatre tucked away beside Shakespeare’s Globe. Illuminated by more than one hundred candles, this atmospheric space hosts plays, concerts, workshops and events throughout the year.

Discover a Jacobean theatre built with authentic period design and craftsmanship, created to evoke the world of Shakespeare’s time. With a full programme of exciting productions, it’s the perfect place to experience history brought brilliantly to life.

What’s on at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

Delve into intimate, candlelit productions of Shakespeare’s plays, alongside contemporary works and family shows that welcome younger audiences to the world of theatre.

A Midsummer Night's Dream (until 31 January 2026)

Venture into candlelit winter woods and explore the shadowy underbelly of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Follow four young lovers as they flee beyond the city walls, escaping a tyrannical society in this powerful reimagining of the classic tale.

Book your tickets now for A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The history of Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

Named in honour of its founder, an acclaimed actor and director, the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is inspired by the candlelit indoor theatres of Shakespeare’s era. Though not a replica of any single venue, it reflects the spirit of the Blackfriars Playhouse, where Shakespeare’s company performed from 1609.

Wanamaker always envisioned an indoor theatre as part of Shakespeare’s Globe, and the Playhouse’s brick shell was built alongside the main site. It wasn’t until 2012 that this shell was transformed into the intimate performance space seen today.

Designed by the Globe’s Architecture Research Group and Allies & Morrison, the Playhouse draws on 17th‑century blueprints by John Webb. Modern features, including discreet lighting and advanced ventilation, are seamlessly integrated, allowing productions to be staged safely under pure candlelight.

Why you should go to Sam Wanamaker Playhouse:

Experience intimate productions illuminated by more than 100 beeswax candles.
Enjoy everything from Shakespearean and Jacobean drama to bold contemporary works.
Take in decorative details inspired by Jacobean buildings.
Look up to admire the painted ceiling, based on an early‑17th‑century mural from Cullen House in Scotland.
As part of Shakespeare’s Globe, it offers the rare chance to experience theatre just as audiences did more than 400 years ago.

Sam Wanamaker seating plan

The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse seats up to 353 people, arranged across three main areas.

The Pit (Stalls) – Located closest to the stage, this section offers the most intimate, close‑up experience. Most seats have excellent views, particularly those in the centre.
Lower Gallery – Wrapping around the sides and back of the theatre, this level provides strong sightlines from the centre seats, while aisle seats offer great value.
Upper Gallery – The highest level in the Playhouse, where rows A-B offer the best views from above, and the upper rows provide good value options.

Where is Sam Wanamaker Playhouse?

The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is located on the Shakespeare’s Globe site within Bankside in Southwark, right next to the Globe Theatre.

How to get there:

Train and Underground – London Blackfriars, London Bridge, London Cannon Street and Southwark stations are all within 15 minutes’ walk.
Bus – Several buses (lines 40, 63, N63 and N89) stop at Blackfriars Station/South Entrance (stop C), which is an eight-minute walk from Shakespeare’s Globe.
Cycling – There are Santander Cycles docking points just behind the theatre, at New Globe Walk.
Boat – Uber Boat by Thames Clippers services stop at Bankside Pier, directly outside the Globe.

Visit London tip

Arrive early to soak up the atmosphere – the Playhouse is lit by real beeswax candles and watching the theatre slowly glow to life before the show begins is one of the most magical parts of the experience.

Sam Wanamaker Playhouse FAQs

Is the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse the same as the Globe Theatre?

The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is the indoor, candlelit theatre at Shakespeare’s Globe, while the Globe Theatre is the open‑air main auditorium. These two theatres sit on the same site but are two distinct performance spaces.

Is the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse accessible?

Check the official venue website for full, up-to-date accessibility details.

What are the best seats in Sam Wanamaker Playhouse?

The best seats are usually in the Pit (Stalls) for the closest, most atmospheric view, or the front rows of the Lower Gallery for an excellent vantage point.

What food and drink is available at Sam Wanamaker Playhouse?

The Playhouse offers drinks and light refreshments from the Globe’s on‑site bars, including wine, beer, soft drinks and snacks. You can enjoy these before the show or during the interval, but not inside the candlelit auditorium.

Does Sam Wanamaker Playhouse have a cloakroom?

The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse does not have its own cloakroom, and visitors may only bring small bags inside. However, there is a cloakroom at Shakespeare’s Globe, where you can leave coats and small bags.

Which hotels are near Sam Wanamaker Playhouse?

Hilton London Bankside is the closest option, around a seven-minute walk from the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. Other nearby hotels include ibis Styles London Southwark, Premier Inn London Southwark (Bankside) and Novotel London City South.