The Shakespeare Hut was built in 1916, primarily as a  refuge to soldiers travelling to or from the First World War’s western front.

For two years, the Hut “would welcome in more than 100,000 soldiers far from their New Zealand homes. Queen Mary visited in 1917, took up her post behind the tea counter, and poured cups for all the men.”

“The building offered a wholesome mixture of tea, billiards, comfortable arm chairs, narrow beds, the daily newspapers and performances on its purpose built stage by some of the best known actors of the day – all in a valiant attempt to keep the men out of the bars and brothels of nearby Soho. The regular entertainment included performances of Shakespeare including an all-female Henry V starring Ellen Terry, one of the most famous actors of her day.”

“Dr Ailsa Grant Ferguson, a historian from the University of Brighton who has researched the hut, said: ‘In the context of remembering the relationship between Britain and New Zealand during the war, the Shakespeare Hut is vital. Not only was it a huge, conspicuous statement of British charitable support of Anzac troops, but it was the only physical memorial to Shakespeare built in London to mark his tercentenary in 1916.’”

From the Guardian

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