Comedy of Errors
The Globe Theatre
Midnight Matinée’s
Experience the magical atmosphere of the Globe at midnight
If you’re bored of the same old bars, and clubs, why not check out The Globe for its midnight matinee. Yes, the crazy reconstructed Tudorbethen Shakespeare theatre on the South Bank, the one you’ve walked past a hundred times staggering on your way to XXL or Vauxhall. It’s a cool alternative to another packed bar and the views from its own riverside bar terrace are unbeatable. One side the reconstructed Tudor glory of the polygonised Globe packed with eager faces from all over the world and the other side all of London laid out like a sparkling jewel with the silent dark river Thames in-between, it’s a beguiling and romantic night-time venue.
After a few pints in my favourite secret swinging London gay bar ‘ The Retro Bar’ down a little alleyway just next to Charing Cross, a quick affordable bite to eat in the glourious cafe in the undercroft and crypt of St Martins in the Fields followed by a beaker of sweet white port at Gordon’s, off we went to check out the Midnight Matinee shows at the Globe. This was full on authentic Shakespeare at midnight, under the stars in the glorious architectural candy floss of the Globe Theatre. Based on drawings and ideas of what the Original Globe theatre looked like, the one that Shakespeare himself worked and part owned, the Globe has been wowing audiences not only with the building itself but also with its endearing habit of staging the plays of the Bard as realistically as possible, as they might have been performed the first time round. This is not just for tourists, this is quality theatrical entertainment and I was impressed with the acting and music.
We saw ‘Comedy of Errors’ which was wonderful fun, in equal parts silly, genuinely funny, sometimes moving and with wonderful flourishs of chaotic fun which delighted everyone and all on the open stage above the pit full of standing couples. The quality of the acting is superb, but then it’s the Royal Shakespeare Company doping the acting so you kind of want them to be good, although sometimes in the funfair atmosphere of the Theatre itself it’s hard to remember that you’re watching proper theatre done by proper thespians as it can feel a little make-believe, this may have had something to do with the wooden beam work all around, the full moon over head and few pints of mead that we’d had. None-the-less it was a great evening out and a fantastic way to finished off (or start) a Saturday night in London.
They also have a programme of music concerts by candlelight performed in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse throughout the year. The Playhouse is located on the Globe site, see here for more information of the up and coming season.
All in all The Globe at Midnight ( or at any point of an evening) is a great place to visit and start your night time adventures in London and being smack in the middle of the South Bank, you can always go clubbing afterwards if you really, really have to. If you’re not ready to go home, then head to Brick Lane for a bagel or two then off for an early morning pint at The Hope before jumping the first train home for breakfast on the seafront!
Great fun, don’t forget to dress up warm as the Globe has an open thatched roof! and in the interval smile at the ushers and politely ask to take a look at the other parts of the Theatre.
For more info on the Globe and all of their up and coming shows, check out their website here:
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