Hope

• Theatre ID
  3384
• Built / Converted
  1614
• Dates of use
  • 1614 - 1626: and bear-baiting until 1642.
• Current state
  Demolished
• Current use
  demolished
• Address
  Bear Garden, Bankside, Southwark, London, SE1, England

Details

The Hope, which replaced an earlier bearbaiting arena, served as both a theatre and a place for animal baiting. It was built for Lady Elizabeth's Men who performed Jonson's Bartholomew Fair for the first time at this theatre. The contract for the Hope (which may have been built to exploit the gap in provision left by the burning of the neighbouring Globe) shows that it was closely modelled on the Swan, but with a removable stage and a heavens without column supports. After Henslowe's death in 1616 Edward Alleyn took over his share. Following Alleyn's death in 1626 plays were discontinued, but bearbaiting continued until 1642 when, following several accidents, it was closed along with all public theatres. It was demolished in 1656. Blatherwick considers the architectural potential of the site to be high.

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• Other names
  Bear Gardens (reverted to this old name after 1626)
• Events
  • 1614 - 1626 Use: and bear-baiting until 1642.
  • 1614 - 0 Design/Construction: for Jacob Meade and Philip Henslowe.
    • Gilbert Katherens - Carpenter
  • 1656 - 0 Demolition:
• Listings
  • Grade Not listed