The Rose Playhouse
Bankside’s first theatre
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The Rose Playhouse was Bankside’s first purpose-built professional theatre.
It was first built in 1587 by entrepreneur Philip Henslowe on the south side of the River Thames, on Bankside in Southwark.
Playwrights like William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Thomas Kyd, Thomas Dekker and Ben Jonson wrote for The Rose until it closed sometime between 1603-5.
The rich history of The Rose is well documented, but the playhouse itself was thought to be lost to time…
Then, in 1989, this exceptionally significant piece of lost Shakespearean and Elizabethan cultural heritage was rediscovered during construction work, to the delight and wonder of the local community, archaeologists, academics, historians, and theatre enthusiasts worldwide.
Cut-away illustration of The Rose when it opened in 1587, by William Dudley
After its astonishing rediscovery in 1989, a passionate campaign to ‘Save The Rose’ followed, to try to save the archaeological remains and ensure their preservation.
It succeeded in its aims, and the remains are now legally protected as a scheduled Ancient Monument.
These are the only complete surviving remains of an Elizabethan amphitheatre, and the Rose Theatre Trust has been tasked with pursuing its preservation and restoration for generations to come, to learn from and enjoy.
At the moment, only two thirds of The Rose’s archaeological remains have been excavated. There is now an urgent need to complete this work, and secure and preserve this culturally-rich and truly historic ancient monument.
Interior view from the south-west corner of The Rose, looking across the flooded remains up towards the raised viewing platform on the eastern side.
The Rose Playhouse is a scheduled Ancient Monument which celebrates Shakespeare’s genius and the greatest flourishing of drama in the English language.
It is:
the stage where Marlowe delighted Elizabethan crowds…
the stage where Shakespeare learnt his craft…
and the stage where many of the greatest plays in the English language made history and went on to change the culture of the English-speaking world.
William Shakespeare – The Chandos Portrait, attributed to John Taylor. (National Portrait Gallery, London)
The Rose Revealed
The remains of the playhouse are currently scheduled as an Ancient Monument at risk.
The first aim of the Rose Theatre Trust is to complete the excavation and ensure the preservation of the remains of The Rose so that it can be accessed and enjoyed for generations to come.
Once that is done, The Rose will then be surrounded by an exhibition, performance space and learning centre called The Rose Revealed. It will celebrate the dramatic creativity of Britain’s first great Elizabethan age, allowing visitors to be immersed in its history on the very site of the original Rose stage, the birthplace of Shakespeare’s genius.
The Rose Revealed is not just ‘A most rare vision’ (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Act 4 Sc. 1), but a vital mission.
With your support, The Rose Revealed will become the central focus of an Elizabethan cultural quarter on Bankside – joining Southwark Cathedral (which dates from 606), Mary Overie Dock, the remains of Winchester Palace, the site of the Clink Prison, and the original site of The Globe playhouse with the reconstruction of Shakespeare’s Globe theatre nearby.
It will be at the heart and centre of this unique part of London, where great drama flowered in the first Elizabethan age and where drama, music and art have blossomed again, creating an exciting multicultural quarter during the reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Rose is at the heart of the first and second Elizabethan cultural quarters.
Be part of history. Be part of bringing The Rose Playhouse back to life.
A message from Dame Judi Dench
“ We must try harder. Here is this extraordinary, unique place that thousands of people will want to see.
We just need this to happen!
We need The Rose to come back to us all, and to be a place that we know that Shakespeare worked in and his actors acted in. ”
WATCH: A message from Rose Patron Dame Judi Dench. (2 mins)
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Join The Friends of The Rose
One of the best ways to get involved with us is to become a member of The Friends of The Rose.
Benefits of membership include receiving our monthly Friends’ newsletter, members only outings and events, and discounts for performances and events at The Rose, both online and on-site.