English Theatre
By: Liam Patterson, Molli Fellows, Sam Frias
Intro
James Burbage
Liam Patterson
Mrs. Sullivan
English CP A III
March 18, 2014
James Burbage
James Burbage was born in 1531 at Stratford-Upon-Avon. James started his career as a joiner, experienced in carpentry. Later on in his career he changed his profession to acting and working in theater. In 1572 he became head of the Robert Dudley acting troupe. Two years later he became the first Englishman to obtain a theatrical license and became very serious about his role as a theatrical entrepreneur and manager. Soon after he built the very first theatre in England with his brother-in-law John Brayne, named “The Theatre”.
The theatre was designed as a construction which was similar to a small Roman amphitheater- The Elizabethan Amphitheatre. Plays featured props such as cannons for more effect. He also made a larger stage area for the actors so they could move more freely. The other important feature was the cobble yard. The Theatre opened in 1577 and was a huge success.
Besides managing, Burbage also trained and selected the Theatre’s company of actors. “Burbage continued to enjoy success, and he sought in 1596 to expand his business by turning part of the old Dominican monastery in London (known as Blackfriars) into an indoor playhouse called the Blackfriars Theatre. However, the strong opposition of neighboring residents delayed the opening of the theater until after Burbage's death” (Wagner). After suffering the stresses of a stressful and difficult birthing process at Blackfriars theatre, James Burbage died in the spring of 1597.
James Burbage
- Fig.1. James Burbage
- Wordpress
James Burbage
The Guardian
The Grave of James Burbage
Find a Grave
William Shakespeare
Samantha Frias
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was born on April 23, 1564, in Stratford-on-Avon. William was
educated at the King Edward IV Grammar School in Stratford, where he learned Latin and a
little Greek, The son of John Shakespeare and Mary Arden. At 18 years old William married
Anne Hathaway 8 years older than him. Together they raised two daughters: Susanna, who was
born in 1583, and Judith born in 1585.
During his early life there are not any note of what Shakespeare was doing during his
early life, Shakespeare may have taught at school during this period, but it seems more
reasonable that shortly after 1585 he went to London to begin his apprenticeship as a actor. In
1594, Shakespeare joined the Lord Chamberlain's company of actors, the most popular of the
companies acting at Court. William Shakespeare is considered to be the greatest playwright of
all time.
His plays were mainly histories and comedies as 'Henry VI', 'Titus Andronicus', 'A
Midsummer Night's Dream', 'The Merchant of Venice' and 'Richard II'. The tragedy, 'Romeo and
Juliet'. In 1598 the author Francis Meres said Shakespeare as England’s greatest writer in
comedy and tragedy. William died on 23 April 1616 at the age of 52 and was buried in Holy
Trinity Church in Stratford. William Shakespeare is known for his works and his amazing career,
he was truly a great writer and his plays will forever be remembered. We will never forget
about his players and what he brought to now a day writers.