larly at the Cross Keys in the winter of 1594,[1] and that their predecessors, Lord Strange’s men, played in the same inn-yard in 1589.
(2) Playhouses in Finsbury Fields, north of London Wall.
(i) The ‘Theatre,’ built in 1576 by James Burbage, father of Shakespeare’s colleague, the great actor. This was the first building specially erected for the presentation of plays. It was on the edge of Finsbury Fields (or Moorfields), beyond Bishopsgate Street, in which ward Shakespeare lived (in St. Helen’s parish) previous to 1597. This theatre, which was large, but open to the weather and not very conveniently situated, was employed largely, though not exclusively, by Shakespeare’s company until it was demolished in 1598.
(ii) The ‘Curtain,’ a smaller structure of the same type as the ‘Theatre’ was built in 1577 and was still standing in 1627. It was very near the ‘Theatre’ and originally its rival, but at times was under the same management. It was certainly used by Shakespeare’s company in 1598, and the poet Marston alludes to the performance of Romeo and Juliet there.
(3) Playhouses south of the Thames, in Surrey.
- ↑ The Lord Chamberlain wrote to the Lord Mayor of London, Oct. 8, 1594: ‘Where my now company of players have been accustomed for the better exercise of their quality, and for the service of her Majesty if need so require, to play this winter time within the city at the Cross Keys in Gracious Street, these are to require and pray your Lordship (the time being such as, thanks to God, there is now no danger of the sickness) to permit and suffer them so to do.’
