An American Jewish publisher has donated £1 million towards the creation of an indoor Jacobean theatre at Shakespeare's Globe.

Sara Miller McCune, founder and executive chairwoman of academic publishers, Sage, visited the site of the £7 million project in London this week and met the Globe's honorary president, actress Zoe Wanamaker.

The actress's father, actor and director Sam Wanamaker, conceived the Globe Theatre project in 1970, and raised £10 million for it, but died in 1993 before realising his vision. The theatre was finally opened in 1997.

Mrs McCune, 69, was born into a middle-class Jewish family in Manhattan and was international president of B'nai B'rith Girls at the age of 19. She has spoken of the importance of tzedakah (charity).

Mrs McCune said: "I am enormously pleased to support the work of Shakespeare's Globe and its education-oriented initiative.

"This will enable future generations to experience the incredible acting and production values that keep the Bard's work teaching and entertaining us all. It enriches lives in wonderful ways and opens hearts throughout the world."