What were the names of the different acting troupes in the Elizabethan era?

Answer 1

The history of Elizabethan theatrical companies is a fascinating if complicated one. The companies were constantly changing names, patrons, actors, and styles. Some had a particular theatre where they played and others toured. It is difficult to keep this kaleidoscopic picture straight, but here are a list of the main players.

1. Leicester's Men. Under the patronage of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, this was the first company formed under the new vagrancy law of 1572, which clarified how companies of actors could avoid accusations of vagrancy by having the patronage of a nobleman. They received their patent in 1574 and one of the patentees was James Burbage, father of the Shakespearean actor Richard Burbage and builder of the Theatre. It was the most popular company in England until it was raided by the newly-formed Queen Elizabeth's Men in 1583, but the remainder of the company toured until Dudley's death in 1588.

2. Sussex's Men. First appeared in the 1570s as competition to Leicester's and featured star clown Richard Tarlton before he was raided by Queen Elizabeth's in 1583. They then went touring but reappeared in the turbulent years of 1592-1594 when they played the Rose Theatre in London, including the play Titus Andronicus by up-and-coming playwright William Shakespeare. After 1594 they returned to touring and obscurity.

3. The Lord Admiral's Men. Originally called Lord Howard's Men before Lord Howard became Lord Admiral in 1585, they were founded in around 1576. They became the second most famous Elizabethan theatrical company, associated with the star actor Ned Alleyn, clown George Attewell and the plays of Christopher Marlowe. In the 1590s they came under the direction of impressario Philip Henslowe and played at the Rose Theatre. After the Globe Theatre was built in 1599, the Admiral's Men moved to the sumptuous Fortune Theatre, the largest and most spectacular playhouse of the age.

4. Queen Elizabeth's Men. Formed in 1583 under the patronage of the Queen herself, this company was famous for its clowns and acrobats, especially the star clown Richard Tarlton. After his death in 1588 the company, which had been the top company of the time, declined severely, and was unable to survive the turmoil of 1592-4.

5. The Children of the Chapel. A troupe of boy actors drawn from church choirs, were popular in the 1580s then disappeared in the 1590s and suddenly reappeared with gusto at the Blackfriars Theatre in 1600, playing plays by a number of first-rate playwrights.

6. The Children of St. Paul's. Derived from St. Paul's Cathedral Boys' Choir, their history is exactly like that of The Children of the Chapel. This company was closely associated with the playwright John Lyly (the first English novelist) in the 1580s.

7. Worcester's Men. Formed in the early 1580s this company gave the famous actor Ned Alleyn his start in 1583. They took over the Rose after the Admiral's Men left. Will Kempe and Christopher Beeston came to Worcester's when they left The Lord Chamberlain's and built the company up so that it became the third most important theatrical company by the end of Elizabeth's reign; it was the third adult company permitted to play in the City of London.

8. Oxford's Men. Edward de Vere, Earl of Oxford was the sponsor of a company from the 1580s until they merged with Worcester's in 1602. They were basically a touring company although they were associated with the Boar's Head Inn. Strangely enough there is no connection between this company and William Shakespeare.

9. Lord Strange's Men. They were called The Earl of Derby's Men after 1593 when Lord Strange got promoted. They were formed in the 1580s and were during that decade a group of acrobats starring John Simons. In the 1590s after the troublesome years of 1592-4 many of the actors from this company became the backbone of the newly-formed Lord Chamberlain's Men including Will Kempe, Richard Burbage, Thomas Pope, and Augustine Phillips. The rest of the company went on touring.

10. Lord Pembroke's Men. This company was a touring company formed around 1590, and which some people think may at one time have included William Shakespeare. This company was involved in the most spectacular theatrical disaster of the age, the play The Isle of Dogs which was performed at the ill-fated Swan Theatre in 1597. The government was hugely offended by the play and jailed the principals involved in it, resulting in the collapse of the company and the discredit of the Theatre.

11. The Lord Chamberlain's Men. The most famous Elizabethan acting company was formed in 1594 with star actor Richard Burbage at the helm. They played the Theatre, the Curtain and, after 1599, the Globe. And of course, one of their charter members was William Shakespeare, who wrote exclusively for them during the balance of his career.

Answer 2

Leicester men