Page 183 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - London

SOUTHW ARK AND BANKSIDE  181

Old Operating Theatre Museum theatre, the Sam Wanamaker
and Herb Garret) survived only Playhouse, is a splendidly atmos-
because it had been constructed pheric reproduction of a Jaco-
in a garret over the hospital bean indoor candle-lit theatre,
church. The UK’s oldest operating with performances year-round.
theatre, dating from 1822, it The Globe has an exhibition
remained, bricked up and covering the history of
forgotten until the 1950s. It has Elizabethan theatre in South-
now been fitted out just as it wark, the process of building
would have been in the early the Globe and the exquisite
19th century, before the costumes made for shows
discovery of either anaesthetics there. You can also listen to
or antiseptics. Another section classic performances of
of the garret, which was once Shakes peare speeches.
used by the hospital apothecary
to store herbs, houses a
collection of traditional herbs 6 Cardinal’s Wharf
and remedies, plus displays of SE1. Map 15 A3. 1 London Bridge. View from the Founders’ Arms
antiquated medicines.
A small group of 17th-century British societies, namely the
houses still survives here in Royal Watercolour Society and
the shadow of the Tate Modern the Royal Society of Painter-
gallery (see pp182–5). A plaque Printmakers. The members of
commemorates Christopher these societies are elected by
Wren’s stay here while St Paul’s their peers in a tradition that
Cathedral (see pp152–5) was dates back over 200 years.
being built. He would have The gallery’s permanent
had a partic ularly fine view of collection is not on show here,
the works. It is thought that the but there are temporary displays
wharf got its name from Cardinal of contemporary watercolours
Wolsey, who was Bishop of and original artists’ prints. The
Winchester in 1529. exhibitions feature the work
of both societies and many of
the pieces on display are for
7 Bankside Gallery sale. There is also a superb
Shakespeare’s Henry IV, performed at the 48 Hopton St SE1. Map 14 F3. Tel 020 specialist art shop that sells
Globe Theatre around 1600 both books and materials.
7928 7521. 1 Blackfriars, Southwark. There is an unparalleled
5 Shakespeare’s Open 11am–6pm daily during exhib- view of St Paul’s Cathedral from
itions. Closed 1 Jan, 24–26 Dec. 7
Globe = Lectures. ∑ banksidegallery.com the nearby pub, the Founders’
Arms – built on the site of the
New Globe Walk SE1. Map 15 A3. This modern riverside gallery is foundry where the cathedral’s
Tel 020 7902 1400. Box Office: Tel 020 the headquarters of two historic bells were cast.
7401 9919. 1 Southwark, London
Bridge. Exhibition: Open 9am–5pm.
& includes tour. 8 every 30 mins;
9:30am–5pm Mon, 9:30am–12:30pm
Tue–Sat, 9:30–11:30am Sun. Closed
24 & 25 Dec. Perfor mances late Apr–
mid-Oct. 7 - 0 =
∑ shakespearesglobe.com
Built on the banks of the Thames,
Shakespeare’s Globe is a fine
reconstruction of the Elizabethan
theatre where many of his plays
were first performed. The circular
wooden structure is open in the
middle, leaving some of the
audience exposed to the
ele ments. Those holding seat
tickets enjoy a roof over their
heads. Performances (staged
only in summer) are thrilling, with
top-quality acting. A second Row of 17th-century houses on Cardinal’s Wharf

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