Guide to Shakespeare Performances Across the UK
Shakespeare's plays have been performed continuously in the UK for over four hundred years, and the tradition shows no sign of slowing down. From the Royal Shakespeare Company's home in Stratford-upon-Avon to the reconstructed Globe Theatre on London's South Bank, from open-air productions in castle grounds to radical reinterpretations in warehouse spaces, Shakespeare is everywhere. This guide covers the best places to experience the Bard's work and offers practical advice for both seasoned Shakespeare lovers and complete newcomers.
The Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon
The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) is the UK's flagship Shakespeare company, based in Stratford-upon-Avon, the playwright's birthplace. The RSC operates three theatres in Stratford: the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, a 1,040-seat auditorium with a thrust stage that brings audiences close to the action; the Swan Theatre, a smaller galleried space modelled on Elizabethan playhouses; and The Other Place, an intimate studio for experimental work.
The RSC typically stages several Shakespeare plays each season alongside other classical and contemporary work. Its productions attract outstanding actors and directors, and a trip to Stratford can easily be combined with visits to Shakespeare's Birthplace, Anne Hathaway's Cottage, and the other heritage sites in the town. The RSC also tours nationally and internationally, so if you cannot get to Stratford, you may catch a production in a city near you.
Shakespeare's Globe, London
Shakespeare's Globe on Bankside is a faithful reconstruction of the open-air playhouse where many of Shakespeare's plays were originally performed. Standing as a groundling in the yard, just a few feet from the actors on the thrust stage, is as close as you can get to experiencing Shakespeare as Elizabethan audiences did. Groundling tickets are among the cheapest theatre tickets in London, typically around £5 to £7.
The Globe's season runs from April to October, with a programme of Shakespeare plays and works by his contemporaries. The indoor Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, a candlelit Jacobean theatre attached to the Globe, operates year-round and offers a hauntingly atmospheric setting for winter performances.
Shakespeare at the National Theatre
The National Theatre on the South Bank programmes Shakespeare regularly across its three auditoriums. National Theatre productions often feature major film and stage stars and tend toward bold, contemporary interpretations. The Olivier Theatre's large open stage is particularly well suited to Shakespeare's epic histories and tragedies, while the Lyttelton and Dorfman spaces offer more intimate encounters with the text.
Shakespeare in outdoor settings
Summer brings a wealth of open-air Shakespeare across the UK. Regent's Park Open Air Theatre in London stages at least one Shakespeare production each season, often to great critical acclaim. The Minack Theatre in Cornwall, carved into the cliffs above the sea, provides one of the most dramatic backdrops imaginable for Shakespeare's plays.
Touring companies like The HandleBards, who perform on bicycle-powered stages, Illyria, and the Festival Players bring Shakespeare to parks, gardens, and historic properties across the country. National Trust and English Heritage sites frequently host outdoor Shakespeare during the summer months. For more on this, see our guide to outdoor theatre performances in the UK.
Shakespeare at regional theatres
Regional theatres across the UK regularly produce Shakespeare. The Royal Exchange in Manchester, Sheffield Theatres, Leeds Playhouse, and the Bristol Old Vic all stage Shakespeare productions that rival anything in London. These regional productions often bring fresh perspectives and diverse casting to familiar plays, and tickets are typically more affordable than in the capital.
Tips for enjoying Shakespeare
If you are new to Shakespeare, do not worry about understanding every word. Shakespeare's language is rich and sometimes unfamiliar, but good actors make the meaning clear through their delivery, expression, and physical performance. Focus on the story and the characters rather than trying to parse every line.
Reading a brief plot summary before you go can help you follow the action, especially for the more complex histories and comedies. Most theatre programmes include a synopsis. Starting with one of the more accessible plays is a good idea. A Midsummer Night's Dream, Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth are all excellent entry points.
Shakespeare wrote for a popular audience, and his plays are full of humour, spectacle, violence, romance, and music. They were designed to entertain, and the best productions remember that. Do not be put off by memories of studying Shakespeare at school; experiencing the plays in performance is an entirely different and far more enjoyable experience.
For more theatre recommendations, explore our guide to West End shows in London or find live events on the Tickts homepage.
Shakespeare seasons vary by venue and year. Check the RSC, Globe, and individual theatre websites for current programmes and booking information.
