One Of Atlanta's Top-Ranked Tourist Activities Is A Must-Visit Venue For Theater Buffs
The bustling city of Atlanta is the kind of destination that offers something for every type of traveler, and theater buffs are no exception. Located in the southern U.S. state of Georgia, the sprawling metropolis has plenty of opportunities to experience great nightlife, food, history, and culture. Fans of American history will love exploring historic homes. Visiting the city's oldest cemetery, an eerie tourist spot, feels like stepping back in time. Foodies can sample cuisines from all over the globe, and there are no shortage of opportunities to experience the performing arts. Those who adore live theater will find that there is plenty of fun to be had in A-Town, and the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse definitely belongs on any Shakespeare lover's bucket list.
Atlanta's Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse is one of the city's top-ranked spots for tourists, according to Tripadvisor. The local Shakespearean theater troupe, the Atlanta Shakespeare Company, puts on incredible productions, and their home theater is a unique destination located in the heart of downtown.
Travelers who enjoy theatrical performances will love the incredible details that go into each and every show. From elaborate costumes to handmade sets, it's a thrilling place to immerse yourself in the world of Shakespeare.
All the world's a stage – but the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse is particularly special
Old-world Shakespearean theater might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you're planning a trip to Atlanta, but that's exactly what you'll get when you visit the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse. The city of Atlanta is most well-known for its role in the Civil Rights Movement and its lively music scene. It's also notorious for having horrible traffic, which makes driving in other cities sound like bliss. That being said, theater buffs would be remiss if they skipped seeing a show at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse while visiting the city. Even if you've attended hundreds of Shakespeare plays, the unique tavern-like venue provides an unforgettable experience.
According to Tripadvisor, attending a play at the theater is one of the best activities to enjoy in Atlanta. Out of 597 tourist attractions, the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse was ranked the 22nd best thing to do in the city. It has an average rating of 4.6 stars based on over 400 reviews. "The atmosphere is awesome, the food was good, and the performance was wonderful," AnaRountree wrote in a review, adding "We will be back."
The Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse is special because the performances take place in a tavern-like space that's different from traditional theaters. Guests are seated at small, cozy tables surrounding the stage. The stage is inspired by the Globe Theater in London, which was the original Shakespearean theater. Before the performance begins, attendees are able to purchase food and beverages to enjoy during the show. The dinner menu changes multiple times a year and features seasonal ingredients. The bars serve beer, wine, cocktails, and non alcoholic beverages. Drinks are available for purchase before the show and during the intermission. Dessert is also available for purchase at intermission.
Attending a play at the Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse
If you're a lover of Shakespeare, you'll adore catching performances of iconic favorites like "Romeo and Juliet," "Hamlet," and "King Lear." If you aren't a classic Shakespeare fan, there are a variety of other plays that are performed throughout the year. During the holiday season you might find options like "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. At the time of writing, a stage adaptation of Jane Austen's beloved novel "Emma" was on the calendar.
If you are catching a Shakespeare play for the first time, be aware that the Atlanta Shakespeare Company uses a theatrical approach called "Original Practice," which is "a process that begins with the way the play was originally staged in its own time and ends with a modern audience experiencing the play in a manner consistent with its creator's original intent," according to the website. During the performances, guests will enjoy sound effects produced by the actors, era-appropriate live music, and period costumes. Actors often interact and speak directly to members of the audience. Some guests may find the language used in Shakespeare plays difficult to understand, since his plays are written in both prose and verse. One reviewer mentioned that reading a synopsis of the play before attending was helpful, while another, Courtney R, said, "We were a little nervous about how well we would understand the performance, but the performers used a lot of nonverbal cues that kept us following along, even if we did not understand most of the words they were saying."
The Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse has 220 seats. There are three different seating sections and seats are first come, first serve within each section. Ticket prices range from $26 to $49 per adult. The exact price will depend on the section you choose, the show, and the day of the week.