Blackfriars and Middle Temple Hall

After a long day's work in Shakespeare's Globe Library and Archives, I embarked on a quest to find the location of the Blackfriars Theatre. Neither the Globe's wonderful librarian or archivist could tell me exactly where the theatre had been located, though they had a good idea where I should look. After consulting several maps and a few websites, they pointed me in the right direction.

I had to wander down lots of little side streets and twisting alleyways, but finally, I stumbled across the little blue plaque that I'd have missed if I hadn't been paying very close attention. There really isn't much to see, which seems rather sad. At this location, Shakespeare and the Lord Chamberlain's Men wrote, acted, worked, performed...

Blackfriars had been built as a monastery in 1275, but the monastery was shut down in 1538 by Henry VIII, and the buildings and grounds were sold or leased. In 1576 Richard Farrant leased the buttery of the building for use as a rehearsal and performance space for the Children of the Chapel Royal boy choir and acting troupe. This space became known as the first Blackfriars Theatre. It was closed in 1584.

In 1596 James Burbage, Shakespeare's close friend and business partner, bought a large area of the old monastery, includings its dining hall and the rooms below it. Burbage turned this area into an indoor playhouse, the Blackfriars Playhouse, for the Lord Chamberlain's Men. They performed here in the winter months and returned to the Globe for the summer months. In 1600 Burbage leased out the Blackfriars, but he retook control of it in 1608. Shakespeare later became part owner with Burbage and kept an apartment in the Blackfriars area.

The Blackfriars Playhouse was extremely lucrative. It catered to aristrocrats and wealthy theatre-goers, charging twice the admissions price as open-air theatres. As it was enclosed, it had artificial lighting, something no outdoor venue had.

After finding Blackfriars, I visited Middle Temple Hall, which is in the same area. Middle Temple is a beautiful Elizabethan building with grand windows and incredible ceilings. Shakespeare performed here, too, putting on his plays for royalty and the court. Twelfth Night was performed for the first time here in 1602; Middle Temple's website suggests, "There are enough many "Inn" jokes and references in the play to suggest that it was written for that particular audience."

Learn more about Shakespeare at Middle Temple Hall at Middle Temple's website.

Take the very cool virtual tour of the Hall by clicking here!

View my photos of the Blackfriars area and Middle Temple Hall here: MrsB Blackfriars and Middle Temple.

Click here for the tour of the beautiful Courtyard.

Finally, click here for the tour of the breathtaking gardens.

You might just recognize settings in Middle Temple Hall from several films that have been shot there. Look at the list of movies by clicking here.