Blackfriars Theatre

Blackfriars Theatre was an indoor playhouse in the Blackfriars district of London. It featured multiple gallery levels and received natural light through windows, accommodating roughly 700 spectators.

The theatre was founded in 1576, emerging from a Dominican monastery converted into a performance space during the Renaissance. It became one of London's significant venues after its establishment.

The venue drew spectators who paid for better seating, unlike the groundlings at other London theatres of the time. Its proximity to St. Paul's Cathedral made it a favored spot for the city's educated classes.

Operations were largely confined to the winter months when outdoor playhouses closed due to weather. Planning a visit required consideration of the seasonal schedule.

The theatre occupied the former parliament chamber of the monastery, creating an unexpected performance space with historical architecture. This conversion of a governing hall into a playhouse reflects how Reformation spaces were repurposed.

Location: City of London

Official opening: 1576

Capacity: 700

GPS coordinates: 51.51278,-0.10250

Latest update: December 18, 2025 11:41