Shakespeare and the Second Blackfriars Theater.

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  • Author(s): Barroll, Leeds
  • Source:
    Shakespeare Studies (Rosemont Publishing & Printing Corporation). 2005, Vol. 33, p156-170. 15p.
  • Additional Information
    • Subject Terms:
      Theater; Performing arts; Shakespeare, William, 1564-1616; Blackfriars Theatre (London, England)
    • Subject Terms:
      London (England); England
    • Abstract:
      This essay urges a reconsideration of the historical documents dealing with William Shakespeare's King's Servants performance at the Second Blackfriars theater in London, England. Dating identifies the summer of 1608 or 1609 as the beginning of the performances by the king's Servants at Blackfriars, but difficulties attend this dating. Other narratives would have the King's Servants acting in Blackfriars during the Bubonic plague periods in the summer of 1608 because of recorded payments by the royal court to them for private practice. This, however, do not constitute proof of performances at Blackfriars since the venue for private playing could have been anywhere, including a Globe closed to the public, if stage space was the only consideration.