Archaeologists have discovered the remains of the Elizabethan theatre where some of William Shakespeare’s plays were first performed. The Curtain Theatre was the venue immortalized as “this wooden O” in the prologue to “Henry V.”

The remains of the polygonal structure, typical of 16th-century theatres were found behind a pub on a site marked for redevelopment.  They uncovered part of the gravel yard and gallery walls of the 435-year-old Curtain Theatre in Shoreditch, just east of London’s business district.

The Curtain opened in 1577 and was home to Shakespeare’s company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, from 1597 until the Globe Theatre was built across the river two years later.


A Museum of London archaeologist measures bricks of the Curtain Theatre. The Curtain opened in 1577 and was home to Shakespeare’s company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, from 1597 until the Globe Theatre was built across the river two years later.  Photo: Reuters

Archaeologists uncover remains of Shakespeare’s Curtain Theatre by Jill Lawless, Associated Press