Every so often, a project lands in our inbox that immediately captures our imagination.

When Shakespeare's Globe contacted Percussion Play during the refurbishment of part of its exhibition space, the team had a very specific goal in mind: transform a traditional music display into an interactive experience that visitors could actively participate in.

Their idea was simple but ingenious.

Could we create a mounted musical instrument that would allow visitors to play the opening phrase of the traditional English folk song Greensleeves simply by striking the notes in order?

As Anita White, Head of Visitor and Audience Operations at Shakespeare's Globe, explained in her initial inquiry: "We are looking to make the space more interactive. We have had an idea about a mounted xylophone or glockenspiel which plays the first phrase of 'Greensleeves' by design - the notes are already in that order."

While Percussion Play is perhaps best known for outdoor musical instruments found in parks, schools, and public spaces around the world, we love a creative challenge. This unique brief offered the perfect opportunity to demonstrate how musical play can enhance visitor experiences far beyond the playground.

Music played an important role in Shakespearean theatre. Songs, dances and instrumental performances helped bring productions to life and entertain audiences throughout the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras. As part of their exhibition refresh, the team at Shakespeare's Globe wanted visitors to experience this connection for themselves rather than simply read about it.

The chosen melody, Greensleeves, felt particularly appropriate. One of England's most recognizable tunes, it is closely associated with Tudor England and remains deeply woven into the country's cultural heritage.

The challenge was making the music accessible. The instrument needed to be intuitive, engaging, and enjoyable for visitors of all ages and musical abilities. No sheet music. No musical knowledge. Just pick up a mallet and play.

Fortunately, this was exactly the kind of challenge MyTunes was designed to solve.

Turning a Melody into an Instrument

Over the years, we've received inquiries from organizations looking for ways to make music accessible through familiar melodies, educational activities, and interactive experiences. Those conversations inspired the development of MyTunes® - a range of customized musical instruments designed to play recognizable tunes, musical patterns, words, numbers, and educational sequences.

For Shakespeare's Globe, MyTunes provided the perfect starting point.

Working closely with the Globe team and with support from Percussion Play's Alex Cook, we created a bespoke arrangement of nineteen notes carefully sequenced to play the opening phrase of Greensleeves. Rather than following a traditional scale layout, each chime was positioned in the precise order required for the melody.

The result is wonderfully intuitive. Visitors simply strike the chimes from left to right and hear one of England's most recognizable tunes unfold note by note. No musical training is required, and there is no right or wrong way to participate - the instrument itself guides the experience.

It's a simple concept, but one that demonstrates the versatility of MyTunes. Whether creating musical playground games, educational installations, branded experiences, or heritage exhibits, the system can be adapted to transform almost any idea into an engaging, playable instrument.

"Projects like this are always exciting because they challenge us to think differently. The brief was highly specific, but that's where bespoke musical design really comes into its own. By using our MyTunes concept, we were able to create an experience that makes music instantly accessible to every visitor." Alex Cook, Percussion Play

Few cultural institutions are as instantly recognizable as Shakespeare's Globe. Located on London's historic Bankside, the Globe welcomes visitors from around the world who come to explore the life, works, and legacy of William Shakespeare. The site combines performances, education, and exhibitions to bring Shakespeare's world vividly to life.

To have a bespoke Percussion Play instrument become part of that visitor journey is both an honor and a privilege.

Developed in collaboration with the Globe team, the completed installation now sits within the exhibition space, inviting visitors to engage directly with music rather than observe it from behind glass.

It is exactly the kind of interaction the Globe team envisioned from the outset - a hands-on experience that encourages curiosity, participation, and discovery.

If Music Be the Food of Love, Play On

Shakespeare famously wrote: "If music be the food of love, play on."

Today, visitors to Shakespeare's Globe have the opportunity to do precisely that. By transforming a static display into an active musical experience, the installation allows people to become participants rather than spectators. A melody that might otherwise remain part of the exhibition narrative can now be heard, played and enjoyed first-hand.

In a world increasingly dominated by digital experiences, there is something wonderfully satisfying about the simplicity of striking a chime and hearing a familiar tune emerge note by note. For children, it offers a playful introduction to music. For adults, it provides a memorable connection to history. For everyone, it creates a moment of discovery.

More Than Outdoor Instruments

While Shakespeare's Globe presented a unique challenge, it reflects something we see time and again: music has the power to transform how people engage with a space. Although Percussion Play is best known for outdoor musical instruments, our bespoke solutions can be found in museums, heritage attractions, visitor centers, education settings, and public art projects.

Whether it's an outdoor music park or a custom installation based on a centuries-old melody, we love helping organizations bring their stories to life through music.

All the World's a Stage

What began as an unusual inquiry became a unique interactive exhibit at one of the world's most celebrated cultural destinations.

We're proud to have helped Shakespeare's Globe turn a historical melody into a hands-on musical experience that invites visitors to play, explore, and connect with the past.

As Shakespeare wrote: "All the world's a stage."

At Shakespeare's Globe, visitors can now take center stage themselves - one note at a time.