Famous Acting Companies of the Elizabethan Age

Acting Companies

• During the Elizabethan period, acting companies played a vital role in the development of English theatre. 
• Drama companies of the Elizabethan Age owned the scripts, and playwrights had no legal rights over their works.
• Women were not allowed to act on stage; female roles were played by boys or men in disguise. This was seen as blasphemous, and theatres were often opposed by the Church.
• Theatres were also criticized as centers of antisocial activities and were believed to contribute to the spread of plagues, which had severe societal consequences.

Chronological Order

1. Choir Boys of Chapel Royal and St. Paul’s Boys (Performing since 1516)

• Details:
  • The Choir Boys of Chapel Royal at Windsor performed plays by 1516.
  • The choristers of St. Paul’s Cathedral were performing by 1525.
  • Boys' companies were highly popular in the late 1500s but dissolved around 1608.

2. The Earl of Leicester’s Men (Founded in 1572)

• Founder: Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester.
• Details:
  • The first professionally licensed troupe of actors (licensed in 1574).
  • Founded by members of the Leicester household, the company was favored by Queen Elizabeth and granted a royal patent.
  • In 1576, James Burbage (a troupe member) built The Theatre, the first permanent theatre.
  • William Kemp, a notable actor, led the troupe until 1583.
  • The troupe dissolved in 1588, merging with Lord Strange’s Men.

3. The Admiral’s Men (Founded in 1576, renamed in 1585)

• Founder: Charles Howard, 1st Earl of Nottingham.
• Details:
  • Originally known as Lord Howard’s Men (1576).
  • Renamed The Admiral’s Men when Lord Howard became England’s High Admiral in 1585.
  • Associated with Christopher Marlowe’s plays like Doctor Faustus and Tamburlaine the Great.
  • Later renamed Prince Henry’s Men under Henry Frederick, Prince of Wales.

4. Queen Elizabeth's Men (Formed in 1583)

• Details:
  • Formed under the patronage of Queen Elizabeth.
  • Active from 1583 to 1594.
  • Later evolved into Queen Anne’s Men (1603–1616) and Queen Henrietta’s Men (1625–1636).

5. Lord Strange’s Men (1588–1594)

• Founder: Ferdinando Stanley, Lord Strange.
• Details:
  • Active from 1588 to 1594 in collaboration with The Admiral’s Men.
  • Likely the first company to employ William Shakespeare, staging plays like The Comedy of Errors.
  • Performed at The Theatre and The Rose Theatre.
  • Plays associated: The Jew of Malta and Orlando Furioso.
  • Lost patronage in 1594, after which members joined other companies.

6. Lord Chamberlain’s Men (Founded in 1594)

• Founder: Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon.
• Details:
  • Known as Hunsdon’s Men in its early years.
  • Renamed Lord Chamberlain’s Men in 1597 under George Carey, 2nd Baron Hunsdon.
  • Became The King’s Men in 1603 under James I’s patronage.
  • Associated closely with William Shakespeare, who was both a shareholder and playwright.

7. The Earl of Pembroke’s Men (1592–1593)

• Founder: Henry Herbert, 2nd Earl of Pembroke.
• Details:
  • Known for staging plays such as The True Tragedy of Richard III.
  • Shakespeare was associated with this company in the early 1590s, both as an actor and writer.

8. The Lady Elizabeth’s Men (Founded in 1611)

• Founder: Under the patronage of Princess Elizabeth, daughter of King James I.
• Details:
• Renamed The Queen of Bohemia’s Men in 1618 after Princess Elizabeth married and became Queen of Bohemia.

Note:

1. Theatre Locations: Many of these companies performed at renowned theatres like The Theatre, The Curtain, The Rose, and The Globe.
2. Shakespeare’s Role: He was deeply associated with Lord Chamberlain’s Men and The King’s Men, contributing significantly to the success of Elizabethan theatre.