Shakespeare Globe

Re-thatching the Globe Theatre

Shakespeare’s Globe will begin repair works to the roof of its iconic theatre on Monday 20 October 2008. In 1996, the theatre became the first thatched building in London since the Great Fire 330 years earlier, and was a crucial component in Sam Wanamaker’s vision to strive for a faithful reconstruction of Shakespeare’s legendary theatre. Today, it is recognised as one of the most famous thatched buildings in the world.

Experienced Master Thatchers, Phil Campbell and Kit Davis who both worked on the original thatching, have joined forces once more with their respective teams to undertake essential maintenance work on the ridge of the roof. A combined workforce of ten thatchers will use 800 bundles of sedge from the Norfolk Broads, 10,000 English hazel spars, 2,500 feet of liggers and 600 litres of fire retardant fluid; this large team will be working for an estimated four weeks in order to keep the disruption of the daily running of the Globe to a minimum.

Thatching remains a popular method of roofing in rural parts of England; however it is regarded as a dangerous material in cities. London’s first Building Regulation, the ordinance of 1212, banned the use of thatch to try to avoid the rapid spread of fire from one building to another. However, with the combination of a new chemical treatment for the thatch, together with a specialist sprinkler system, Shakespeare’s Globe was able to secure the necessary approval to use authentic materials in the rebuilding of the Globe theatre.

Shakespeare’s Globe will remain open during these works, offering daily tours, education programmes and a wide range of public events for visitors to engage with. Other onsite facilities include the Globe Shop and Swan Bar and Brasserie.

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