Pop-Up Globe

Overview

The Pop-Up Globe has been nominated for Best New Event in our Best of 2018 awards. Like it? Vote for it right 'ere. 

Dust off your petticoat and get your doublets out of the attic, because London's historic Globe Theatre is popping up in Sydney for six weeks this year — well, sort of. Pop-Up Globe is the world's first full-scale replica of the historic theatre, which was built by Shakespeare's playing company and housed his greatest works.

It originated in Auckland in 2015 and popped up in Melbourne last year, and version will set up shop in Moore Park this September. History buffs and Shakespeare enthusiasts alike will have the opportunity to soak in plays A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Merchant of Venice, Macbeth and A Comedy of Errors. 

Inside the round  three-storey venue, no member of the 900-strong audience will ever be more than 15 metres from the stage, and all performances will be conducted without the use of mics, just as it was in 1614. Organisers promise that Pop-Up Globe won't host 'dusty' versions of Shakespeare — rather, performances will be more like a party. "It is bawdy, hilarious, brutal and blood-soaked," says founder and artistic director Dr Miles Gregory.

The Sydney season will run from September 5 until December, with performances happening every evening, along with afternoon matinees every day except Wednesday, and morning shows on Saturdays.

Images: Jay Wennington. 

Updated: December 3, 2018.