Shakespeare's Globe has received a £1.5m gift from an anonymous private donor towards its plans to open the historic London arts venue's Indoor Jacobean Theatre next year.

The £1.5m donation will be used to match every pound raised by the Globe and it is hoped the match-giving scheme will encourage more people to contribute towards the project.

Allies and Morrison were appointed last summer to work on the £7m scheme, which aims to fulfil Sam Wanamaker's bid for the Globe to stage both indoor and outdoor performances.

Construction work is expected to commence following the summer season in October, with the 320-seat Indoor Theatre to comprise two tiers of galleried seating and a pit seating area.

Shakespeare's Globe chief executive Neil Constable said: "By doubling donations we receive, we hope that this will encourage others to support this important project.

"We'd really like to rally the support of our audiences and supporters and ask everyone to get involved at whatever level to ensure works start on time."

Details: www.shakespearesglobe.com

Image: (c) Nick Robins