A theatrical company in Elizabethan and Jacobean England. About 1576–79 Chief actor was Edward Alleyn; their manager was Philip Henslowe.The company was closely associated with Christopher Marlowe, performed several of his works including Tamburlaine and Faustus. Staged first known London comedy, William Haughton’s Englishmen for My Money (1598). Once considered the premier Elizabethan theatrical company, began to decline with the rise of Lord Chamberlain’s Men. By 1631 the company had disbanded.

A theatrical company w/which Shakespeare was intimately connected. The most important company of players in Elizabethan and Jacobean England. Richard Burbage played most lead roles (Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth) Shakespeare performed some secondary roles. Founded during the reign of Elizabeth I in 1594. Became the King's Men in 1603 when King James ascended the throne and became the company's patron. They held exclusive rights to perform Shakespeare's plays.

General features of public playhouses: Varied in size (largest seated 2-3,000.) Varying shapes: round, rectagonal, octagonal Had a pit/yard where the groundlings were; un-roofed space, surrounding the stage on three sides, enclosed by three tiers of roofed galleries. The yard cost less, the Gallery cost more. The stage was raised, 4-6 feet, extending to the center of the yard. A Tiring house at the rear of the raised platform – where the actors would wait and change. The stage was roofed – called "the heavens"—supported by columns. Flying was common, with cranes and ropes. Two doors in the tiring house—represented widely different locations A hut above the Tiring House, for equipment and machinery. Flag on top of hut – to signal performance day. Musicians’ gallery, below hut, third level.

Less is know about provate theaters. Smaller, roofed.. 1576 – Blackfriar’s, a former monastery 1st– closed by 1584. The New Blackfriar’s opened in 1596 by James Burbage. The King’s Men used it after 1610 as their winter performance area. By 1642, there were six private theaters in London. Private theatre rose in popularity from 1610 to 1642. Public theaters were used only during the five warm months. Size: about ¼ - ½ of the seating capacity of the public theaters. Spectators sat in the pit or in galleries or private boxes. The stages were probably similar.

Festival or entertainment-disguised participants (aristocrats) offer gifts to their host then do ceremonial dance. 1. a procession of persons introduced by a presenter 2. an elaborately staged show: A brief lyrical drama ft. masquers who descended from their pageant to perform figured dances, reveled with guests then farewell speeches and song. The theme was usually mythological, allegorical, or symbolic, designed to be complimentary to the noble or royal host. In England: A court entertainment played before the king. Gorgeous costumes, spectacular scenery w/elaborate machinery to move it on and offstage; rich allegorical verse.

1573- 1652 British painter, architect, and designer who founded the English classical tradition of architecture. More than 450 drawings by him, representing work on 25 masques, a pastoral, and two plays ranging in date between 1605-1641, survive. He is credited with introducing movable scenery and the proscenium arch to English theatre. Between 1605 and 1640, Jones was responsible for staging over 500 performances.

1600-1669, English Puritan pamphleteer

Histriomastix represents the culmination of Puritan attack on English Renaissance theatre and celebrations such as Christmas. 1000+ pages (title alone is 43 lines); attacks "sin" of dramatic performance. Condemns most aspects of dramatic performance in its era, from the practice of boy actors representing women to the "obscene lascivious love songs, most melodiously chanted out upon the stage...."

Chain of being is a theory or Elizabethan era in which the Elizabethans had belief. They believed that everything had its place in the chain of being, from god down to minerals. Thus, it can be defined down to a Christian concept which explains and give details about the strict religious hierarchical structure of all matter and life in Elizabethan era.

(1554-1586) Elizabethan courtier, statesman, soldier, poet, and patron of scholars and poets.The Defence of Poesie is considered the finest work of Elizabethan literary criticism. It suggests that literature is a better teacher than history or philosophy, refutes Plato’s infamous decision to ban poets from the state in his Republic.

Troupes of boy actors (apx 8-12) whose performances enjoyed great popularity in Elizabethan England. The young actors were drawn primarily from choir schools attached to the great chapels and cathedrals, where they received musical training and were taught to perform in religious dramas and classical Latin plays.

People who try to exceed their own grasp

Marlovian: of, pertaining to, or characteristic of Christopher Marlowe or his writings, expecially his plays.

The stage wall structure contained at least three doors which lead to a small structure back stage (Tiring House). The stage wall was covered by curtains allowing entrances from left, right and center. The actors used this area to change their attire - hence the name 'Tiring House'. It contained the dressing rooms with access to the the prop room with connecting passage and stairways.