Henry VIII

Globe Theatre, Bankside, London

The Tudor court is locked in a power struggle between its nobles and the Machiavellian Cardinal Wolsey, the King's first minister and the most conspicuous symbol of Catholic power in the land. Wolsey's ambition knows no bounds and when his chief ally, Queen Katherine, interferes in the King's romance with Ann Bullen, he brings gigantic ruin upon himself, the Queen and centuries of English obedience to Rome.

Famous in its own day as Shakespeare's most sumptuous and spectacular play, Henry VIII is a gorgeous pageant of masques and royal ceremony. But within the passages of grandeur works the mind of the mature Shakespeare: psychological and political insight, language of great depth and power and, in the figures of Wolsey and Katherine, two of his most vivid and memorable characters.

Dominic Rowan returns to the Globe to play Henry VIII. In addition to his previous work for the Globe, which includes As You Like It and A New World in last year's season, Rowan has been seen on stage in The Misanthrope, Happy Now? After Dido and Under The Blue Sky.

For moer about Henry VIII at Shakespeare's Globe, read the First Night Feature.


Cast & CreativesEXPAND

cast: Dominic Rowan, Miranda Raison, Clive Wood, Kate Duchêne, Michael Bertenshaw, Sam Cox, John Cummins, Ben Deery, Mary Doherty, John Dougall, Will Featherstone, Pater Hamilton Dyer, Anthony Howell, Colin Hurley, Amanda Lawrence, Dickon Tyrrell. Musicians: Philip Hopkins, Martin Pope, Caroline Radcliffe, Richard Thomas, Adrian Woodward

author: William Shakespeare

director: Mark Rosenblatt

music by: Nigel Hess

designer: Angela Davies

Ticket Prices:
£5-£35

About the show
  • Age Suitability: General
  • Genre: Shakespeare
  • Show Times: In repertoire, check with box office for details
  • Duration: 3h
  • opening night:
  • Box Office:
    020 7401 9919

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Venue InformationHIDE

Globe Theatre
Bankside, London, United Kingdom, SE1 9DT

  • Nearest tube: Mansion House, Bank, Southwark, Cannon Street or London Bridge
  • Nearest bus: 11, 15, 17, 23, 26, 45, 63, 76, 100, 344, 381, RV1
  • Nearest train: Mansion House, Bank, Southwark, Cannon Street or London Bridge.
  • Parking: Up to 2 disabled parking bays available outside theatre by special arrangement. Meters on New Globe Walk. NCP car park on Upper Thames Street. Free phone service for minicabs in foyer. Taxi rank outside main entrance.
  • Air conditioned: 1
  • Download an Enabled Map

Venue Access InformationEXPAND

  • How to book: Tel: 020 7401 1409 Fax: 020 7902 1475 Textphone: 020 7902 1476
  • Telephones: Public cash telephone in the entry foyer and a free phone service for minicabs.
  • Discounts: Wheelchair users and companions have reduced price of £20 when seated in Gentlemen's Room Q.
  • Limited mobility: Lower Gallery most accessible with only 2-5 steps. There are 28 steps to the Middle Gallery and 50 steps to the Upper Gallery. Patrons who have booked seats in these galleries can be escorted up in the lift by a member of the front of house staff, who will then return at theinterval and at the end of the performance to collect them.
  • Access description: Entry to the main foyer is through heavy, glass double doors. On the left there is a wheelchair accessible automatic door which opens outwards and is operated by buttons on the inside and outside. There is a seperate ramped entrance to the Exhibition on Bankside. The Box Office is on the right hand side of the foyer, with an 800mm high counter for patrons using wheelchairs. A lift to the right of the Box Office gives access to the Theatre, Circle, Cafe and other hospitality areas and holds six people or one wheelchair plus companion. The lift door is 810mm wide. The Information Desk is directly in front of the main entrance doors, with a 750mm high counter for patrons using wheelchairs. A staircase to the left of the Information Desk, with a handrail on both sides, leads up to the gift Shop, Piazza, and Cafe areas. Glass doors open onto the Piazza which surrounds the theatre. There is a ramp in the open air space in the Yard.
  • Hearing impaired: Induction loop system available for all performances. Please be aware thet that Globe is an open air theatre and the loop will amplify all sounds, including aeroplanes overhead and boats on the river. Hearing aids should be switched to the T position. Hearing dogs are welcome, please inform the Box Office when booking and contact the house manager upon arrival.
  • Guide dogs policy: Guide dogs are permitted inside the auditorium. Please inform the Box Office when booking and contact the house manager upon arrival. Please be aware thet the Yard can be very noisy and crowded and that certain productions contain loud nsound effects such as cannon fire.
  • Wheelchairs: The Globe has provision for four wheelchair users, 3 in a Gentleman's box and 1 in the Yard. The Gentlemen's Box places are accessed by lift, and patrons are accompanied by a member of the Front of House staff. Wheelchair users and companions booking places in Gentlemen's Box Q can take advantage of reduced price tickets at £20. Wheelchair users should be aware that the Yard accomodates up to 600 people standing and that the stage is five feet above ground level so sight lines are limited. A wheelchair is available to assist patrons to their theatre seats. Unfortunately it cannot be used during performances.
  • Toilets: Men’s and Women’s at Globe Door 1and Globe Door 4, further toilets off the entrance foyer.
  • Disabled toilets: Adapted toilets by Globe Door 1, next to first aid room on Piazza level, and on Lecture Theatre level – staff can assist.
  • Food: Gift shop, Piazza and Cafe are allon the Piazza level. Glass doors open on the Piazza which surrounds the theatre.
  • Legroom: Acces guides, Braille synopses and touch tours available on request. For touch tour dates please phone the front of house manager on 020 4902 1480.