Lord Falconer appointed new Globe chairman

Lord Falconer has been appointed Globe chairman (Getty Images)

Former Cabinet minister Lord Falconer has been appointed the new chairman of Shakespeare's Globe.

The politician and lawyer, who served as lord chancellor under Tony Blair, will take up the role with the theatre on London's Bankside next year.

He will help steer plans to build an indoor Jacobean theatre on the site which will seat around 320 people and is intended to provide a more fitting setting for plays such as The Tempest, Cymbeline and The Winter's Tale.

The theatre was opened in 1997 after years of campaigning by late American actor and director Sam Wanamaker.

Lord Falconer said: "Shakespeare's Globe is a brilliant success story. Sam Wanamaker's dream is now the focus for the performance and understanding of Shakespeare.

"I am so proud to have been asked to be the chair of the Globe. The next steps are the development and opening of the indoor Jacobean theatre. I am utterly committed to ensuring the next phase for the Globe will be as successful as the last."

PA