King John - Globe

A production of Shakespeare's King John at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, staged as classical theatre in the Globe's indoor candlelit space. It follows a monarch who succeeds an admired elder brother.

The play opens after the death of Richard the Lionheart, and centres on John, who must take up a crown he claims as his right while trying to establish an identity apart from his older brother. His reign brings disorder, shifting alliances and struggles for power among nations, and the production shows how far he will go to hold on to authority.

This is a staging of one of Shakespeare's less frequently performed history plays, presented in the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, the Globe's indoor venue lit by candles. The production is directed by Jaz Woodcock-Stewart, who makes her directorial debut at the Globe with this work. The performance is staged in the Playhouse's intimate space, so the audience sits close to the action.

The listing offers several accessible performances, including sessions with BSL interpretation, captioning, relaxed performances and audio description, which suits audiences who want a more adapted experience. The production is aimed at theatregoers interested in Shakespeare's history plays and in the Globe's indoor repertoire.