One of London’s oldest theatres which hosted Shakespeare plays is opening up to the public with brand new tours
On the double(t)
To be or not to be restored, that’s the question that a lot of historians have to face as they go through London’s past. When it comes to Shakespeare, it feels pretty well documented already, with his plays gracing every key stage, GCSE, and A level syllabus, as well as their constant presence in the theatrical programme. However, it wasn’t just the Globe that the bard was heavily affiliated with, and a neighbouring theatre just down the river will be opening up for public tours for the first time in decades.
The Rose Playhouse was home to many early modern playwrights including Marlowe, Fletcher, and Dekker as well as Shakespeare. Originally built in 1587, it was the first purpose-built playhouse on Bankside which predates the Globe by over a decade. Shakespeare was a regular there both acting and trying out new material – basically the Tudor England version of Stockwell’s Comedy Virgins at the Cavendish Arms.
Some of the famous plays staged there include Marlow’s seminal Doctor Faustus, The Jew of Malta, as well as Shakespeare’s Titus Andronicus. Big old regal tragedies were clearly a popular theme for productions as Marlow also staged Tamburlaine the Great there, whilst Shakespeare’s Henry VI part 1 was an early feature.
If you’re wondering why you haven’t heard of it before, it might be because it had quite a short lived run. The playhouse actually closed in 1603, only twenty years after it opened, making it a pretty legendary run. After its closure, much of it was destroyed over the years – think floods, wars, bombs, fires, general people. However, the remains of the theatre were discovered by accident in 1989 thanks to a neighbouring office block that was getting constructed. Plenty of famous actors bandied together to save the theatre’s remains, petitioning for it to receive protected status (successfully), and to undergo a proper excavation Time Team style.
The ruins that were uncovered (one-third are still yet to be excavated) are preserved underwater and highlighted with rope lights. In September and October, the public will be able to see the archaeological remains of the Rose Playhouse for the first time in six years.
There will be guided tours running daily from September 17 to October 29th, which run from 10am until 3pm and last around 45 minutes. Guests will learn how and why the Rose was originally constructed, about the people who worked and performed there and the story of its rediscovery.
This is just one part in the Rose’s construction and excavation, as the Rose Theatre Trust (who currently manage it) hopes to raise enough funds to do a full archeological dig which they can then turn into a permanent exhibition site, with all the bells and whistles a usual historic site comes with – gift shop, cafe, additional exhibition space, learning centre.
You can book tickets for the tours via the Rose Playhouse’s website, which cost £12 for general admission – although Southwark residents go free, but you’ll still need to book.
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