In the audiobook Globe, Catherine Arnold takes listeners on a captivating tour of Shakespeare’s London, illustrating how the playwright and the city influenced each other. The narrative explores how acting evolved into a trade, with touring troupes honing their craft. Arnold highlights the Chamberlain’s Men, Shakespeare’s own company, which opened the Globe Playhouse on Bankside in 1599, establishing a new cultural landmark for the city.

The story of the theatre and its creators is filled with drama, including James Burbage’s efforts to construct the venue amid the brothels and beer gardens on the south side of the Thames. The Globe flourished, suffered destruction during a performance of Henry VIII, was rebuilt, and ultimately faced further destruction during Oliver Cromwell’s rule, with a modern reconstruction finally bringing it back to life. Throughout this period, the ever-present threats of riots, rebellions, and the plague added to the backdrop of London, continuously inspiring Shakespeare in his storytelling and character creation. Globe offers a vivid recreation of one of the most dynamic periods in British history for audiobook listeners.