During the last decades of the 20th century American actor and director Sam Wanamaker promoted and oversaw the construction of two modern playhouses in London. Set on the southern bank of the Thames, these were designed to be recreations of the playhouses in which William Shakespeare’s plays were first presented to an audience. This short colorful guidebook starts with introductory material about Shakespeare and the City of London at the time when he was alive, working there as an actor, playwright, and ultimately producer. It also gives a historical summary of theater buildings and venues where plays were staged during his life.

The emphasis is on the modern playhouses and their design and construction: Shakespeare’s Globe modeled on the two 16th century open air Globe theaters that preceded it and the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse modeled on early 17th century plans for a smaller indoor theater. How these plans, sketches and other historical materials were used to design and construct their modern counterparts, and how directors, producers and actors use them to dramatic effect today is succinctly told and illustrated by vivid color photography. ( )