Shakespeare's First Theatre Found

Archaeologists believe that they have unearthed the original Globe Theatre in the London borough of Shoreditch.

Built in 1576, the remains of the theatre are thought to be among the earliest in Britain. Twenty-five years after the original Globe was built it was relocated, timber by timber to a site on the South Bank. In the 1990s the Globe was reconstructed on the south side of the Thames and has played host to all manner of high-profile Shakespearean productions ever since.

Before the Globe was relocated, Shakespeare's theatre company, The Lord Chamberlain's Men, performed at the original playhouse. Historians believe that the original stage played host to the premieres of Romeo and Juliet and Henry V.

Constructed by James Burbage in the 16th century, experts contend that the remains of the original theatre imply that the structure was made from stone taken from an old priory.

Now owned by The Tower Theatre Company, plans are underway to open a new playhouse on the site in 2012. Ms Tuerk, a spokesperson from Tower, said that when it opens "London theatre will have come back to its roots".

Published by: Nathan Brooker