The Willow Globe theatre in mid Wales - Y Glôb Byw – is a scaled down, living version of the Globe in London, being a third of its size in diameter. The willow has been carefully woven into an organic and spiritual theatre, starkly sculptural in spring, which is almost completely absorbed by its lush, green surroundings in summer months. This secret, magical and intimate space, with a rough thrust stage, is totally unique – we believe it is one of the largest willow constructions in the country and probably the only one in use as a theatre in the world. Viola’s determination to ‘make me a willow cabin at your gate’ has a whole new resonance.
We host events from April – September, offering syllabus Shakespeare for schools through workshops, productions and professional tours. The Willow Globe is a venue for an eclectic mix of music, Shakespeare, and other arts happenings as well as being home to its own acclaimed Willow Globe Company. We have the option of wet weather cover should it rain.
All events in the theatre are supported by the resources of the Mid Wales Shakespeare Centre and the organic farm – with bar and tea bar after the show. The Willow Globe and Mid Wales Shakespeare are part of the Shakespeare Link Charity, number 1040576.
Find out more about our team…..
Artistic directors:
Sue Best
Sue read English at Cambridge University before joining the Royal Shakespeare Company. With over 20 years experience as actor, writer, director and teacher in the theatre, she has also devised theatre anthologies for the RSC, the English Shakespeare Company, The Apollo Society and Prospect Theatre Company.
As an actress Sue has played many of the great roles in Shakespeare – including Viola, Rosalind, Beatrice and Gertrude – as well as leading roles in Look Back in Anger and Ibsen’s Lady from the Sea. Television credits include Sir Peter Hall’s The Camomile Lawn for the BBC and most recently Rosemary and Thyme.
Working with Michael Bogdanov, Sue travelled the world with the English Shakespeare Company as Staff Director on the award-winning tour of Shakespeare’s great history cycle The Wars of the Roses. She has been a regular collaborator with the ESC’s ground-breaking Education Department. Highlights include the popular audience-interactive piece God Say Amen, praised by teachers and critics alike.
As a guest producer for the Royal Opera, London, productions include Turandot, La Cenorentola, I Puritani, Don Pasquale and Otello. Sue has also collaborated with the Royal Opera House outreach team on community and education projects.
Now based in Wales Sue works with Red Kite Theatre Company, Mid Powys Youth Theatre, Builth Wells Community Arts, Living Willow Community Company, and Have-A-Go Shakespeare groups for the over 50s in Rhayader, Builth Wells, Llandrindod and Glasbury.
Philip Bowen
After studying at Southampton University, Philip trained as an actor at the Webber Douglas Academy in London. Since then his extensive acting career has seen him perform with many of Britain’s leading international touring companies, in prestigious West End theatres, and in numerous television and film productions.
Philip has spent much of his career playing in Shakespeare and the classics, including the title role in Michael Bogdanov’s Hamlet at the Old Vic. He spent three years touring South America, Canada and Australasia with Sir Michael Redgrave. Performing with The New Shakespeare Company, the English Shakespeare Company, The Oxford Stage Company and the London Shakespeare Group has taken him all over the world, on British Council tours to Africa, India, Asia, the USA, Europe and Scandinavia.
Philip’s many London appearances include seasons at Her Majesty’s, The Prince of Wales, The Arts Theatre, The Young Vic, The Old Vic and the Regents Park Open Air Theatre.
Recent work includes the long running TV series Soldier Soldier, Eastenders, The Bill, The Man who made Husbands Jealous and Midsommer Murders.
