Who said you had to play by the rules?

When Helen cures the dying King, he grants her one wish: to choose any man she wants for her husband. Rejected by the man she’s always loved, Helen sets out to get him, by whatever means necessary. Chelsea Walker makes her Globe directorial debut with Shakespeare’s ruthless thriller.

Following last year’s sold-out run, poet, actor and comedian Tim Key returns to the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse with his festive extravaganza Chrimbo Bimbo.

Secrets and lies. It’s human nature.

A secret marriage changes the course of two ancient kingdoms. For the first time in ten years, see Cymbeline, Shakespeare’s late, tragic comedy of love and rebellion, in the candlelit Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. Director Jennifer Tang makes her Globe directorial debut.

A life is a long time to wait.

For the first time at the Globe, experience the work of playwright Anton Chekhov with this twentieth century classic. Their world is going up in flames, one minute at a time. But can three sisters create the change they’re longing for? Caroline Steinbeis returns to the Playhouse to direct the world premiere of a new translation by playwright Rory Mullarkey.

Tuck into ‘a real treat’ ★★★★ (Time Out) for the whole family, as Hansel and Gretel returns to the Globe Theatre this winter. Poet Laureate Simon Armitage’s epic version of the famous fairy tale is ‘a riot… with plenty of magic’ ★★★★ (Broadway World) for everyone age 5+.

A daring new 90-minute version of Shakespeare’s tale of tyranny and ambition, created especially for young people. When three women predict soldier Macbeth’s future, he decides to fulfil their prophecy and seize control of the nation, but at a terrible cost.