London - South Bank for Culture

Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre National Theatre Tate Modern Art Gallery

Sep 21, 2007

The South Bank is not only a great cultural centre, it is fun. Take a trip on the London eye for a birds eye view of London, or browse the bookstalls alongside the river

London - The South Bank - theatres and concert halls.

Unlike the Left Bank in Paris, London’s South Bank, in the borough of Southwark, does not evoke images of romantic couples strolling arm in arm under softly lit lamps, or the bohemian lifestyle of famous writers who graced its cafes and bars. Its London cousin is lively, bursting with energy and crammed with theatres and concert halls. It’s an area of great contrast: from the exact replica of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre to the huge 19th-century brick chimney of Tate Modern, the national museum of modern art, and the Hayward Gallery which holds world-class exhibitions.

In between are the Royal National Theatre, the National Film Theatre, three major concert halls and a fairly recent newcomer, the London Eye. Then there are all the restaurants, pubs, street entertainment and a fascinating history which is not at first obvious.

The area you see today was inspired by the Festival of Britain in 1951 which was organised to cheer up the British people after the austerity and greyness which was the legacy of the Second World War. Some of the buildings represent an aspect of post-war bleakness with their thick grey concrete walls, but they are home to some of the finest art and musical performances to found anywhere in the world.

It wasn’t always like this, of course. In the 16th and 17th centuries this was the most infamous and disreputable part of London; crude pleasures such as bear and bull-baiting and cock fighting were popular and prostitution was rife. This is where poor people lived, in crowded unsanitary conditions. Southwark was also home to the notorious Clink Prison, first written about in 1509. It was a place to which petty criminals and debtors were sent and some people were imprisoned here before execution.

It was at this ‘wrong end of town’ that the original Globe Theatre was built in 1599 by a group of London actors, including Shakespeare himself. And although it remained a pretty rough area for some time to come, it was the cradle of English theatre. Not only was Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre here, there was also the Rose, the Hope, and the Swan. People flocked here for their entertainment.

So, in a way, the South Bank has come full circle. Gone are bear-baiting and prostitution and another clutch of wonderful theatres have taken the place of those Shakespeare attended. South Bank is safer, has more variety and is one of London’s major attractions. This complex of high quality entertainment is now the largest arts centre in Western Europe.

The copyright of the article London - South Bank for Culture in Historical Travel is owned by Cathy Smith. Permission to republish London - South Bank for Culture in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.