When Shakespeare’s Globe came to Borehamwood!
Our studios have twice rebuilt Shakespeare’s world — and both times, it did so with the skill of British production craft.
The first Globe Theatre reconstruction was built in 1976 at ATV Elstree Studios for the television series “Will Shakespeare”, which starred Tim Curry in the title role. It stood on the lot previously occupied by the set for “Clayhanger”, with both productions designed by the brilliant Michael Bailey.
These photographs show Lew Grade visiting the set — a moment that perfectly captures ATV’s confidence in building ambitious and epic dramas for television.
Fast-forward to 2024, and the Globe Theatre rose again — this time across the road at Elstree Studios — for the feature film “Hamnet”, with production design led by Fiona Crombie.
Based on the original version of the Globe in London, before it was destroyed and rebuilt (the version that exists today is a replica based on the more ornate second version), this new Globe is a masterclass in film set design. In an interview with Vogue, Crombie states that the wood used in the set build was reclaimed oak from France, in order to create the idea that the original was built from “stolen timber by a fledgling theatre company”.
These two reconstructions, nearly half a century apart, contribute to the Borehamwood studio story. They show how our studios have long been places where history comes to life on screen and where the work of our amazing art departments come together to let audiences step back in time.
(Hamnet Globe Theatre plan credit: Fiona Crombie / © 2025 FOCUS FEATURES LLC)