Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare’s Globe

Over one hundred beeswax candles mounted in sconces and on six height-adjustable chandeliers. An ornately painted ceiling depicting the moon goddess Luna amongst clouds, created by artist Zaza Opperman. Green oak frame within a brick shell, with decorative features based on surviving Jacobean buildings. The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare’s Globe, opened in 2014, is one of the only candlelit theatres in Europe — and the atmosphere it creates is something no modern venue can approximate, regardless of budget.

The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse as Event Space

The indoor Jacobean theatre seats 340 across benched seating in a pit and two horseshoe galleries, placing the audience close to a thrust stage surmounted by a musicians’ gallery. For corporate events and lectures, the Globe’s own event pages list capacity at approximately 200 — a more intimate configuration that suits focused presentations and performances. The horseshoe layout means every seat has a direct relationship with the stage, and the candlelight creates warmth and visual richness that flat-lit conference spaces can’t touch. Shutters around the first gallery can admit artificial daylight for controlled lighting conditions, and modern lighting has been discreetly integrated alongside the candle infrastructure.

Events in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

Atmospheric performances and concerts are the natural fit — the acoustic properties of the timber frame and intimate scale create conditions that musicians and speakers alike benefit from. Lectures, presentations, and corporate events gain from the setting: this is a space where an audience pays attention because the room itself commands it. Product launches that need a genuinely distinctive backdrop, awards ceremonies where the setting should match the occasion, and exclusive hire for productions all work within the Playhouse’s capabilities. A candle technician is available for hire, managing the beeswax candles and chandeliers throughout the event. The space is available as dry hire.

Sam Wanamaker Playhouse — Heritage and Practicality

The construction references surviving Jacobean buildings with wood carvings throughout and a sophisticated ventilation system built into the structure — essential for a candlelit space, and invisible to guests. An attic winch enables flying effects for theatrical productions. The seated section is wheelchair accessible with step-free access. The Playhouse connects to the wider Shakespeare’s Globe complex: the main foyer provides access, and combined hire with The Underglobe, the Globe Theatre, and the education studios is available. Swan at the Globe handles catering through the complex, with the Balcony Room, River Room, and Bull Room all available as additional dining and reception spaces within the same venue. The Playhouse operates year-round, unlike the open-air Globe Theatre, making it a four-season option for events that need the Shakespeare’s Globe association without weather dependency.