London’s prominence on the world’s cultural stage has a long, long history. The best theatre shows in London today may be a unique mix of reworked classics, original fringe works and touring musicals, but it all started in 1576 with the construction of The Theatre in what’s known today as Shoreditch. While small-scale venues preceded the site, and courtiers revelled as thespians entertained them over long banquets at court, The Theatre was England’s first venue built exclusively for…

