Mike Laycock visits a re-creation of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London.

THE Bard would surely have approved. There can be few better ways of marking William Shakespeare's pivotal role in the development of English theatre than by faithfully re-constructing the theatre where many of his greatest plays were first performed.

Just as in Elizabethan times, the performances are in the open air, the audience includes "groundlings" who stand in front of the stage and the roof over the seated area is thatched with water reeds.

The theatre, together with an accompanying exhibition about Shakespeare and the London in which he worked, makes for an excellent day out in the capital, as I discovered earlier this week.

Having travelled to London King's Cross in the speed and comfort of a GNER train, there was a half-hour journey on the 91 bus to The Strand. From there, I crossed the gleaming Thames on the pedestrianised Golden Jubilee Bridge, admiring wonderful views of Big Ben and the London Eye. Then there was a pleasant stroll along the South Bank, past landmarks such as the National Theatre and the Tate Modern to the Globe in Bankside.

I began with a look around the exhibition, which explains how the theatre opened in 1997 after decades of campaigning and fundraising led by film-maker Sam Wanamaker. Interactive displays and live demonstrations bring Shakespeare's world to life and Elizabethan special effects are demonstrated through touch-screens.

Next came a guided tour of the theatre. It is located just 200 yards from the site of the original Globe, which was built in 1599 for Shakespeare's company of players. Painstaking efforts were made to ensure the re-construction was as accurate as possible, using prints, written accounts and archaeological excavations.

The exhibition and tour are available all year round, but until September 26, visitors can also see a performance in the theatre. This season's plays have all been based on the theme of "star-crossed lovers", featuring Romeo And Juliet and the bawdy black comedy Measure For Measure, which I saw.

On a warm and sunny afternoon, seeing the play performed in such a setting was an unforgettable experience, spoilt only slightly by the intermittent roar of aircraft passing high overhead.

However, visitors should be warned that the effort to be faithful to the original theatre includes the provision of hard wooden benches, although cushions can be hired to make the experience rather less uncomfortable.

Mind you, the groundlings, having got in for a mere fiver, don't get to sit down at all, apparently for safety reasons. They also get wet if it rains. However, plastic macs are on sale at the shop - a comfort that was denied the poor old groundlings of 1599.

Fact file

- Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, 21, New Globe Walk, Bankside, London SE1,

www.shakespeares-globe.org

- Plays performed until September 26. Theatre tickets range from £5 groundlings, to £13 to £25 for seats. Further information on 0207 401 9919.

- Exhibition and tours open daily through the year from 9am-5pm, tours on mornings only until September 26. Adults: £8.50, children £6.50, but with £2 discounts for people who have bought theatre tickets. Further information on 0207 902 1500.

- For GNER train information, call 0845 7484950.

Updated: 11:59 Saturday, September 04, 2004