Elizabethan theatre, sometimes called English Renaissance theatre, refers to that style of performance plays which blossomed during the reign of Elizabeth I of England (r. 1558-1603) and which continued under her Stuart successors. Elizabethan theatre witnessed the first professional actors who belonged to touring troupes and who performed plays of blank verse with entertaining non-religious themes.
More about: Elizabethan TheatreDefinition
Timeline
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1559Elizabeth Io England prohibits the performance of unlicensed plays.
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1564 - 1616Life of William Shakespeare.
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1564 - 1593Life of the English poet and playwright Christopher Marlowe.
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1572Only nobles are now permitted to sponsor plays and acting companies.
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1572 - 1637Life of the poet and playwright Ben Jonson.
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1574Introduction of licensing for all acting companies in England.
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1576The first purpose-built and permanent theatre in England is built in London, the Theatre.
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1585The first performance of Richard Tarlton's 'Seven Deadly Sins'.
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1587The Rose theatre opens in London.
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c. 1587The first performance of Christopher Marlowe's 'Tamburlaine the Great'.
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c. 1589William Shakespeare writes his first play, 'Henry VI Part I'.
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1592A wave of Black Death plague closes all theatres in London for one year.
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1595The Swan theatre opens in London.
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c. 1596The first performance of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream'.
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1597The first performance of Ben Jonson's 'Isle of Dogs'.
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1599Opening of the Globe Theatre in London.
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1599The first performance of William Shakespeare's 'Henry V'.
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c. 1601The first performance of William Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'.
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1606The first performance of William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
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1614The Globe Theatre in London is rebuilt after the original was destroyed by fire.
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1623The First Folio is printed, a collection of 36 of William Shakespeare’s plays.
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1642 - 1660Puritans ensure the closure of all theatres in England.
