The Shakespearian Playing Companies

This ground-breaking study is the first history of the professional acting companies who brought drama to London in Shakespeare's time. Gurr draws on the most up-to-date research to provide a general history of company development from the 1560s, when the first of the major companies belonging to great lords began regularly to offer their plays at court and in London, to 1642, when by Act of Parliament they were closed down. He offers detailed and fascinating accounts of each of the forty companies that played in London during the period, including Shakespeare's company, The Chamberlain's/King's Men. His fascinating and authoritative volume will take its place as an indispensable reference work and the authoritative history for all scholars and students of Renaissance--and Shakespearean--drama.