Elizabeth I reigned from 1558 to 1603

Strolling players were groups of wandering actors who performed in barns and the courtyards of inns. Fearing these actors spread the plague, a 1572 law banned such groups.

Theatre in London was first performed in these inn-yards. Fearing these actors spread the plague, a 1572 law banned such groups.

After the ban, only actors employed by noblemen were allowed to perform. In the 1570s, four noblemen were given permission to start theatre companies. These companies performed in the great halls of the nobles’ ’ houses.

The first permanent theatre built near London was The Theatre, built by Richard Burbage in In 1594, Lord Chamberlain ’ s men took up residence at The Theatre.

Chamberlain ’ s Men would later employ the new playwright William Shakespeare. The group would become known as Shakespeare ’ s company, and would be popular with the royalty.

William Shakespeare,

Comedies include: A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Comedy of Errors, and The Taming of the Shrew. Histories include: Henry IV, Part I, Henry V, and Richard III. Tragedies include: Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, King Lear, and Macbeth

Built in 1598, The Globe served as Shakespeare’s theatre. The original burned in A new Globe was built, and used until 1642, when the Puritans shut it down.

Christopher Marlowe ( ), a contemporary of Shakespeare ’ s, was very popular. His most enduring work is The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus.

In the 1640s, the Puritans established the Commonwealth. Among other things, they executed the King and shut down the theatres.

In 1660, the reestablishment of the monarchy, called the Restoration, brought about a revival of English theatre.