New Indoor Jacobean Theatre at Globe opens Jan 2014

The Shakespeare’s Globe has named its new 340 seat Indoor Jacobean Theatre The Sam Wanamaker Theatre, named after the organisation’s founder, American actor and director Sam Wanamaker.

It is expected to stage its first performances to the public in January 2014, and allow Shakespeare’s Globe to present plays throughout the year. The theatre will have two tiers of galleried seating and a pit seating area and will be predominantly lit by candles.

Press material says: "The finished edifice is designed with careful research into the materials, methods, and the decorative aesthetics of Jacobean buildings. In the late 1960s a book was taken from a shelf in Worcester College Oxford, and a series of drawings fell from it. These are the earliest set of design drawings for an English theatre in existence. Originally thought to be by Inigo Jones, they were later understood to be by his protégé John Webb. A large proportion of our understanding of Jacobean theatre design and construction stems from these drawings, and this is the first theatre in the world built as a response to them. It will be a Jacobean archetype, which Shakespeare or any of his contemporaries would have felt at home making theatre within. "

"In addition to the new theatre, an extensive redevelopment of the foyer spaces has been planned. The number of annual visitors to the Globe has far exceeded original expectations, with over one million people coming every year. Designed to transform the public spaces serving both the Globe and The Sam Wanamaker Theatres, the architects Allies and Morrison have designed a generous and open foyer space,featuring new, hardwearing, simple and timeless finishes to better serve Shakespeare’s Globe and its diverse activities."

A successful fundraising campaign by Shakespeare’s Globe has enabled the project to be developed thus far without any government support. Today sees the launch of the public campaign to raise the final £1m needed to create this important addition to London’s theatre landscape. Donations can be made online, at the Globe, or via post or phone. To find out more about making a donation, visit shakespearesglobe.com/support-us or contact the campaign office on 020 7902 1457.