How our runner has enhanced the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse

Since January 2014, theatre fans in London have been able to enjoy classic productions at an authentic recreation of a Jacobean theatre, the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at the prestigious Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. The 340-seat space has many little details, including candle lighting and wooden features, that help to recreate a typical theatre experience of four centuries ago. We at Runrug have also enhanced the space by providing it with a classy dark red carpet runner.

This Jacobean theatre is like the ‘most gorgeous living room’

The Sam Wanamaker Playhouse, productions staged at which have included The Duchess of Malfi starring Gemma Arterton, has been well received since its construction was completed.

Just before its opening, the then-artistic director of the Globe, Dominic Dromgoole, remarked that the venue “offers us a unique opportunity to explore the theatre practice of Shakespeare’s day and the theatrical context within which he worked.” Meanwhile, musician Anoushka Shankar, before performing there last autumn, described it as “like the most gorgeous living room.”

How has our carpet runner improved the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse?

The carpet runner that Runrug has recently supplied to the theatre has helped to boost safety. The solid flooring could have, when exposed to feet constantly hammering the surface as audience members approach or leave their seats, led to some of these people slipping. However, feet can grip onto carpet better than solid flooring, meaning less risk of accidents. Walking on the former also tends to produce less noise than walking on the latter, creating a more tranquil atmosphere.

Another advantage of this carpet runner is that, quite simply, it looks good. We knew that the runner shouldn’t adversely affect the ability of the audience to imagine that they really have travelled back to four centuries ago, to a very different time and country, when William Shakespeare himself was still alive and always thinking about how to perfect that next verse.

We reckon we haven’t done a Bard job!

We think our work here also helps show that there are many different places and situations in which the right carpet runner can have both cosmetic and practical benefits.