Southwark is a part of London located south of the Thames River, across from the City of London. During the late 1500s, Southwark was home to many playhouses, including the Globe and the Rose Theatres. During Shakespeare's time it was under a different jurisdiction than the city of London. This made it an exciting and dangerous place to be. Southwark was filled with bear baiting pits, thieves, river pirates, and noisy taverns.

Shakespeare, and other writers of the time period, were greatly influenced by Southwark. In fact, many of Shakespeare's plays were first performed in this area. While the theatres were wildly popular, they were not well respected. During the reign of King Charles I, (King of England 1625 - 1649) theatre was considered immoral, scandalous, and dangerous. At that time, the Puritans, a religious group, had a great deal of influence and in 1648 under their leader, Oliver Cromwell, all the theatres were ordered to be demolished.

Over the last decade, the Borough of Southwark has undergone a great deal of transformation and regeneration. Shakespeare's Globe, the Tate Modern, Borough Market, and many other attractions draw thousands of visitors each year. These cultural organizations have allowed restaurants, bars, and shops to flourish in the area, serving tourists and residents alike. Southwark has become a culturally and economically diverse area with high-cost living and council housing in close proximity.

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Text: Kristina DeSantis & Jenny M. Buccos