Shakespeare's Globe becomes a stage for all the world

Theatre voted top attraction for tourists, vindicating one man's dream

The Globe Theatre in London, which will have its first full season next year, has been voted the top tourist attraction in Europe more than 40 years after the idea was first mooted to re-create an Elizabethan theatre near the site of Shakespeare's original Globe.

It will also be seen as a tribute to the persistence of the late Sam Wanamaker, the American actor who fought for years to build the theatre. Wanamaker arrived in London in the Fifties and was appalled to discover there was no fitting memorial to Shakespeare's theatre.

He fought against indifference and at times hostility to rebuild the venue near its original site, and launched several fund-raising campaigns. Although he died in 1993, he saw work start on the building.

The accolade comes from the European Federation of Associations of Tourism Journalists, an umbrella organisation representing travel writers in eight countries.

Yesterday the actor Julian Glover, a member of the Globe's artistic directorate, accepted the Golden Star Award at a ceremony at the theatre.

The judging panel picked the Globe because it was an attraction in itself, a place of entertainment and a catalyst in contributing to the regeneration of the Bankside area of London.

Mark Rylance, the artistic director of the Globe, said: "This citation is a huge tribute to the international success of Shakespeare's Globe. More than 300,000 visitors have come to sold-out performances during our 1996 prologue season, to the exhibitions, and as students of all ages to attend workshops at our education centre."

Projects voted on for these international tourism awards have to have a strong international presence and be a major tourist attraction. The Globe scores highly in both areas. It has different European nations represented in its cast and its work force.

The number of visitors coming to the Globe, even when it is not open for a performance, now stands at 500 a day.

Sandra Moretto, tourism manager at the theatre, said: "We still have to raise pounds 6.5m from private funding to complete exhibition and education facilities and an international award like this gives the Globe extra lustre."

The prologue season used a temporary stage. A permanent one is currently being erected. The first full season begins next May, when Richard Olivier, son of the late Lord Olivier, will direct Mark Rylance in Henry V. In the meantime, visitors can see master craftsmen, thatchers and plasterers at work, using the building techniques and materials of 400 years ago.