The playing companies listed below appear because they have been mentioned in
MoEML Encyclopedia articles. As we add more articles to the site, this list will inevitably grow.
If you would like to enrich an entry for a playing company or add a new company to this list, [contact us](mailto:london@uvic.ca).
Admiral’s MenAdmiral’s Men
The Admiral’s Men was a playing company
in early modern [London](LOND5.xml). The company was formed in
1576 and lasted until 1631.
Beeston’s BoysThe King and Queen’s Young Company
Beeston’s Boys was a playing company of
boy actors in early modern [London](LOND5.xml). The group was
formed in 1637 under a royal warrant from King Charles
I and Queen Henrietta Maria, but was
colloquially known as Beeston’s Boys after
actor and theatre impresario Christopher Beeston. The
company lasted until the closure of the theatres in September 1642.
Chapel ChildrenChapel Children
The Chapel Children was a playing
company of boy actors in early modern [London](LOND5.xml). In the
1580s, they were also known as Oxford’s Boys. In [London](LOND5.xml), they performed at the first [Blackfriars
Theatre](BLAC6.xml). See [Gurr 228.](BIBL1.xml#GURR3)
Children of Paul’sThe Children of the Paul’s
The Children of Paul’s was a playing
company of boy actors in early modern [London](LOND5.xml). The
company was comprised of boy choristers from [St. Paul’s
Cathedral](STPA2.xml). They performed mainly at court, though they did also play at the
first [Blackfriars Theatre](BLAC6.xml).
Blackfriars ChildrenBlackfriars Children
Blackfriars Children was a playing
company of boy actors in early modern [London](LOND5.xml), known by
various names. The company staged plays by Beaumont,
Chapman, Fletcher, Jonson, Marston, and Middleton between 1603-13. The company was known at
different times as the Blackfriars Boys,
Revels Children, Children of the Queen’s Revels, Children of the Chapel, and the Children of Whitefriars. See [Gurr 287-87](BIBL1.xml#GURR8).
The King’s MenThe King’s Men
The King’s Men was a playing company in
early modern [London](LOND5.xml). During the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, the group had been known as The Lord Chamberlain’s Men after its then
patron, Henry Carey, Lord Hunsdon. It was re-named in
1603 when King James I took over as patron soon after
acceding to the throne. It is famous for being the company to which William Shakespeare belonged for most of his
career.
The King’s Revels ChildrenThe King’s Revels Children
The King’s Revels Children (also known
as the Children of the King’s Revels) was a
playing company of boy actors in early modern [London](LOND5.xml).
It appears to have emerged in early 1607, and its history is closely linked to the
Blackfriars Boys after 1609. See [Gurr 361-62, 365](BIBL1.xml#GURR3).
The Lady Elizabeth’s MenThe Lady Elizabeth’s Men
The Lady Elizabeth’s Men was a playing
company in early modern [London](LOND5.xml). The group was formed
in 1611 and was named after Princess Elizabeth,
daughter of King James I and Anne
of Denmark. After she was crowned queen of
Bohemia in 1618, the company changed its name to The Queen of Bohemia’s Men.
Oxford’s MenOxford’s Men
Oxford’s Men was a playing company in
early modern [London](LOND5.xml).
Prince Charles’s CompanyPrince Charles’s Company
Prince Charles’s Company or Prince Charles’s Men was a playing company in
early modern [London](LOND5.xml). The group was formed in 1608 as
the Duke of York’s Men after Charles, who was then Duke of York and the second son of
King James I and Anne of
Denmark. When Charles’s elder brother, Prince Henry, died in 1612, the company gradually became
known as Prince Charles’s Company. Andrew
Gurr identifies this company as Prince Charles’s
Company (I) to distinguish it from the company established in 1631 after
the birth of the future Charles II, also called Prince
Charles’s Company, but usually referred to by theatre scholars as Prince Charles’s
Company (II) ([395](BIBL1.xml#GURR3)).
Queen Anne’s Men Queen Anne’s Men
Queen Anne’s Men was a playing company
in early modern [London](LOND5.xml). The group was formed in 1603
out of Worcester’s Company (1562-1603) and
named after its patron, Anne of Denmark, consort of
King James I. When she died in 1619, the company
continued as The Players of the Revels, but
were often simply called the Red Bull
Company (1619-25).
Queen Henrietta’s MenQueen Henrietta’s Men
Queen Henrietta’s Men was a playing
company in early modern [London](LOND5.xml). The group was formed
in 1625 and was named after Henrietta Maria of France,
consort of King Charles I. The company lasted until the
closure of the theatres in September 1642.