Royal Marine Barracks The Globe Theatre

The Royal Marine Barracks, known as The Globe Theatre, is a former racquet court that was later extended and converted into a theatre at the Marines barracks around 1830. It was remodeled after 1860 and restored around 1990. The building features squared, snecked Plymouth limestone below the impost level at the entrance front, while the rest is constructed from Plymouth limestone rubble with limestone dressings. It has a low-pitched tiled roof, with the right-hand gable end completely glazed, featuring two mullions and vertical glazing bars.

The exterior of the former racquet court is a tall single storey with a symmetrical two-window entrance front. Above the impost string, there are blind low three-light mullioned windows, and small segmental-arched basement windows that light the stage below. The tall central round-arched stage doorway has a keyblock and a moulded gabled hood, with rusticated jambs and a large pair of ledged doors that open at two levels. The rear wall includes a central stone shallow bay that extends up to beneath the eaves to accommodate the auditorium, flanked by blind lunettes.

Inside, the theatre retains original features in its circular auditorium, which seats approximately 250 people. These features include a shallow domed ceiling with a dentilled cornice supported by cast-iron columns, and a fluted pilastered proscenium with panelled sides and mock doors topped with pediments. The auditorium dome is made of wood and sits under a hipped roof supported by cast-iron trusses.

Historically, ball courts were common in early barracks, making this structure likely the earliest surviving example and unique as a conversion to a theatre. Stonehouse is noted as the earliest non-garrison barracks in England and represents a complete complex of significant architectural and historical importance.