The Rose was erected in 1587 by entrepreneur Philip Henslowe as the first purpose-built playhouse on Bankside, in London’s borough of Southwark. Its circular shape was elongated in 1592, and the open-air stage covered with a roof. Playwrights like Marlowe, Shakespeare, Jonson and Dekker wrote for The Rose until it closed in 1605 and was demolished soon afterwards.

Henslowe recorded his expenses as an impresario in what is now known as his Diary, which survives to give us a wealth of information on theatrical production at the time. An archive of his papers is held at Dulwich College, which was founded by Henslowe’s son-in-law Edward Alleyn, one of the greatest actors of the 16^th century and the leader of the Admiral’s Men company of players, who were resident at The Rose.

During construction work for a tower block in the late 1980s, the foundations of The Rose were uncovered in Thameside mud, and specially preserved for the nation. Its discovery profoundly changed our understanding of Elizabethan playhouses.

The illuminated outline of the playhouse can be seen from a simple visitors’ platform, where The Rose’s team of volunteers hosts plays, concerts and talks, and holds Open Days, workshops and other events.