For all lovers of Shakespeare and aspiring thespians, a new cultural hotspot is all set to open in Shoreditch next year, offering an unmissable glimpse into Shakespearean London. The Museum of Shakespeare will offer a truly immersive deep-dive into the world of the Bard, sitting atop the archaeological remains of the Curtain Theatre, which will proudly be on display.
This iconic Elizabethan playhouse is said to have first premiered Shakespeare’s beloved Romeo & Juliet and Henry Vmaking it the perfect centrepiece for this upcoming museum.
The Museum of Shakespeare
The Curtain Playhouse is first recorded as having opened its doors in 1577, and it was a key cultural and social centre for London during Shakespeare’s life. The theatre was the main venue for his plays before The Globe opened at the end of the 16th century, with this brand-new museum set to protect and conserve this fabulous slice of history.
Showcasing its remains in a gorgeous display, the Museum of Shakespeare will be the proud home to one of only two scheduled ancient monuments in the London Borough of Hackney. It’s been beautifully designed to refine the emerging footprint of the theatre’s archaeological remains, with the space once believed to be circular, but turned out to be rectangular with a long stage.
You’ll even be able to walk across a floating glass viewing platform above the archaeological remains, giving visitors the most unique perspectives possible to bring this time to life.
Transforming Shoreditch
However, it’s not just this brand-new display that’s causing a buzz, as the entire project has totally transformed the Shoreditch area with some new features and public amenities to boot.
Sunand Prasad, Principal of developers Perkins&Will, said: “The Stage project is a great example of the intelligent evolution of an urban quarter to create accessible, permeable and attractive space for people’s use and enjoyment. Built layers from several centuries, now repurposed, have been woven together with substantial new flexible mixed-use space gathered round a public plaza, to create the largest public space ever in Shoreditch.”
“The discovered remains of the 16th Century Curtain Theatre that was London’s first Shakespearean playhouse, displayed in a new building that itself creates an amphitheatrebrings a magical extra dimension to the making of this new place for the busy neighbourhood.”
As well as the landscaped public plaza, an amphitheatre, and a pocket park/play area above a restored Victorian railway viaduct, the development also provides over 221,000 sq ft of contemporary workspace across two office buildings, as well as 412 homes, 39,000 sq ft of shops, restaurants and bars.
Although The Museum of Shakespeare will not be open to the public until next yearthe building is now complete should you wish to have a little nosey. However, we promise to keep you updated as more information drops. To stay up-to-date yourself, click here to visit their website.
