Middle Temple Hall lies at the heart of Lincoln's Inn Fields; London's legal district. It was built over the course of ten years and completed in 1573. Formally opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth I, it boasted the very finest craftsmenship that money could buy. Fabulously expensive stained glass windows decorate every room, while the central hall itself boasts an impressive array of gothic architecture remeniscent of the greatest cathedrals and palaces of the day. The great hall itself is one hundred feet long and rises to nearly sixty feet at the apex of its richly carved wood roof.

Middle Temple Hall was used not only as a meeting hall for members of the legal profession it also became an exclusive social club boasting members such as Sir Francis Drake and Walter Raleigh. Queen Elizabeth retained close ties to the hall and used it as a venue for important state functions and many indeed was the time when ambassadors and emissaries from nations around the world were to be found enjoying its hospitality.

With such patrons congregating there it bacame almost inevitable that it would also become the venue for the performance of various plays by London's finest playwrights. And so it came to pass that in 1602 the first performance of Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare was heard by an exclusive audience in Middle Temple Hall.

In 2002 on the 400th aniversary of the first recorded performance of Twelfth Night, the company of Shakespeare's Globe theatre were invited by the present master of Middle Temple Hall to perform the play once again within that now historic venue. Despite the numerous calamities faced by London in the intervening years, the hall remains today almost exactly as it was when it was opened.

And so in a departure from modern practice but as an echo of that of years gone by, Mark Rylance; artistic director of the Globe led his company North across the river to perform once again in an indoor theatre during London's winter. The production was the most authentic the modern Globe company has ever attempted with every aspect of the costuming, props and performance duplicating that of original Shakespearean practices.

Cast

Review of Twelfth Night final dress rehersal by Peggy King.

If time travel were possible I am certain all the audience at last Friday’s dress rehearsal would have loved to meet the audience who watched Twelfth Night 400 years ago. I am sure the atmosphere would have been just as electric, emotional and wholly absorbing. It was an amazing atmosphere to have gathered so many Globe friends, staff and stewards who wanted to be there and really wanted to share in the experience. I felt very privileged to have been part of this special dress rehearsal.

There is very little in present day London where you can say ‘this is what Shakespeare experienced’. The hall of Middle Temple is one such place and the sense of the past is very strong here. Middle Temple has continued to be used for the reason it was built when the Inns of Court were attended by hundreds of young men who had come to London to learn law.

On 2 February 1602, Candlemas Day, Shakespeare’s company performed Twelfth Night; on 2 February 1951 the restoration of the Middle Temple Hall was celebrated by a performance of Twelfth Night and now on 2 February 2002, 400 years later, we have another performance of Twelfth Night.

The tradition from the Elizabethan times of an all male cast was faithfully followed by Globe company who were magnificent, wearing such beautiful clothes and bringing the play alive. It was the first time I had really understood the problems Olivia faced living with her uncle and managing the estate. The pace of the play at the beginning brought a seriousness to the play which I had not seen before which contrasted very well with the prank played on Malvolio.

It is impossible to single out any particular actor, the whole cast were superb, each bringing their individual personality to their parts. The darkness of the building brought out the darkness of the play. It was lovely to see the musicians playing in the gallery and to really appreciate how the music was an integral part of the play.

Review of Twelfth Night performance by Gerald.

I have to share with you all what was a tremendous experience yesterday - a performance of Twelfth Night put on by the Globe Theatre at the Middle Temple Hall. The play was probably commissioned for the celebrations there, and certainly the first documented performance was at that place in 1602. To mark the 400th anniversary of its premiere, the deputy treasurer at Middle Temple invited the Globe to stage a two week season (the last performance is this afternoon).

The Hall is a large Elizabethan affair with a hammerbeam roof, similar to the Great Hall at Hampton Court. The walls of the corridors around it are covered in the coats of arms of the senior law officials down the ages, and the stained glass windows bear the names of many of the Lord Chief Justices. Apart from the maintenance necessary for such an old building, and the repair of some bomb damage in the Second World War, the place is unchanged since the 16th century. Although the wooden floor has been replaced, it is more than likely that Will Shakespeare himself trod the boards.

The play itself was performed in the traditional manner - an all male cast, with authentic costume and music from a consort playing in the Minstrel's Gallery. Such a selection of hey nonny music! Very little artificial lighting was used, mostly the daylight coming through the large vaulted windows, with candle-effect electric lights. At the end of the play the entire cast danced a galliard.

As if all that wasn't enough, on entering the hall each of the members of the audience was given a "Twelfth Night Tuck Box" consisting of three cakes typical of Tudor recipes and with particular relevance to the play. This was washed down with a cup of mulled wine. Interval drinks were available in the auditorium itself, where the Globe stewards set up a couple of long tables in the acting area.

The play was very well acted and given that such an event is unlikely ever to be repeated, I am well pleased to have been able to take part. I hope too that I've been able to impart some of the excitement that I experienced to those of you who were unable to get there.