The Dream Factory

Acclaimed author Daniel Swift tells the remarkable story of Shakespeare’s first theatre – the playhouse that came before the Globe.

About the event

In 1576, in a muddy field in Shoreditch, James Burbage erected London’s first purpose-built commercial playhouse. A place of high culture and quick profit, run by cunning dreamers, the theatre for the first time offered London’s players the chance to control what they staged.

At a time when playgoing was held to be close to a sin, this entertainment factory was a flashpoint for controversy; but would also become Shakespeare’s first theatre, where he learned to ply his trade before his company moved to the Globe.

Through the life of this little-known playhouse, Daniel Swift tells the story of how Shakespeare became Shakespeare, and the Elizabethan stage began to flourish.

Additional information

This event is eligible for our 20% ticket bundle discount.

Book tickets to three or more different events across the festival and you can save 20%. Tickets must be purchased in the same transaction and the discount will automatically be applied within the basket.

Entry to this event is via London Gate.

About the speaker

Daniel Swift is Associate Professor in English at Northeastern University London. He is the author of ‘The Bughouse: The Poetry, Politics and Madness of Ezra Pound’, ‘Shakespeare’s Common Prayers’ and ‘Bomber County’. He writes for ‘The New York Times’, the ‘New Statesman’ and ‘The Spectator’.