Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare's Globe | Seats and What's On

Choosing seats? Nobody is far from the stage, so the choice comes down to pillars and legroom. We'd book the Pit, which faces the stage head-on, or the centre of the front row in either gallery. Think twice about gallery seats behind or beside a pillar, which the Globe marks as restricted, and the bays right next to the stage, which look at it side-on.

Already booked? Arrive 15 to 20 minutes before, no later. Every seat is a bench without a back, and the legroom is tight, so leave big bags in the cloakroom.

Each level has its own page, the Pit, the Lower Gallery and the Upper Gallery, and they're all on the seating plan. Then there's access and more about the Playhouse.

Quick facts

Address: Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT
Nearest stations: London Bridge, 9 minutes; Blackfriars and Mansion House, 10 minutes
Capacity: 340
Levels: the Pit, the Lower Gallery and the Upper Gallery
Season: mainly October to April
Arrive: 15 to 20 minutes before, no later

What's On at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

The Globe's winter season by candlelight, mostly Shakespeare and other classics, each running for a few weeks. Coming up:

Julius Caesar, Shakespeare's tragedy of the conspiracy against Caesar, from 6 November 2026 to 14 February 2027
The Animals Come to the Table, Timberlake Wertenbaker's new play, in which a chicken, a rat and a snow leopard put humanity on trial, from 11 December 2026 to 24 January 2027
The Seagull, Chekhov's play about a summer at a lakeside estate, from 15 January to 10 April 2027
King John, Shakespeare's rarely staged history play, from 20 February to 11 April 2027

Ticket prices

Every production sets its own prices, and you'll find them on each show's page. As a guide, seats start from around £30. Book with us and it's all-in pricing, the price you see is what you pay.

Getting here, food and drink

The Playhouse shares its entrance, foyer and Box Office with the Globe, on the riverside path next to Tate Modern. London Bridge is 9 minutes' walk, Blackfriars and Mansion House 10, and Bankside Pier is right outside. Our guide to getting to Shakespeare's Globe has the buses, the boats and parking, and there are restaurants, pubs and hotels near the Globe too, including the Swan on the site.

In the Playhouse itself, drinks, ice creams and programmes are sold before the show and in the interval. You can bring your own food, but nothing hot, noisy or strong-smelling, and no glass or porcelain.

Book Sam Wanamaker Playhouse tickets

All-in pricing, the price you see is what you pay.

Getting to Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

Address:: Shakespeare's Globe, 21 New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1 9DT, London, SE1 9DT
Public transport: London Bridge
Jubilee, Northern
Directions: Location: Fringe/Off West End
Railway station: Blackfriars
Bus numbers: Lavington Street (Stop SW) 381

Getting here: the full route →

Sam Wanamaker Playhouse FAQs

Is the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse the same as the Globe?

It's on the same site and run by the same people, but it's a different theatre. The Globe is the big open-air one. The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse is its small indoor theatre, next door, lit by candles.

Is the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse indoors?

Yes, it's fully indoors and air-conditioned, so the weather doesn't matter here the way it does in the Globe's Yard.

How many seats does the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse have?

It holds 340 people, over the Pit and two galleries.

Are the candles real?

Yes. The Playhouse is lit by real beeswax candles, more than a hundred of them, in chandeliers and in holders round the walls. Most productions use modern stage lighting as well.

Can I take food into the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse?

Yes, but nothing hot, noisy or strong-smelling, and no glass or porcelain. The site is cashless, so bring a card for drinks and ice creams.

Can I book by phone?

Yes, on 020 7193 9050. You'll speak to a real person who can talk you through the seats, and the price we quote is the price you pay.