Richard Burbage, along with Edward Alleyn, was the most successful actor of Elizabethan theatre. The son of James Burbage, owner of the Theatre at Shoreditch, he performed more leading roles in the major plays of the time than any other actor. They included the original performances of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Othello, King Lear and Richard III, as well as lead roles in Ben Jonson’s Volpone and The Alchemist.

The late 16th century, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth, was the first great blossoming of London theatre, providing a platform for the talents of playwrights such as William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. Yet the playhouses of the time were located outside of the City in the expanding suburbs.

The dominant theatrical tradition in England during the Middle Ages was ‘mystery’ plays. Thesewere moralistic dramas based on the Bible and usually performed in churches or on temporary stages at seasonal fairs by amateur actors or members of guilds. After the Reformation they were viewed as Catholic mysticism and therefore fell out of favour. In their place came secular productions, normally performed by strolling players at inns.

During the 16th century there were a number of inns in the London area built around courtyards overlooked by galleries. By the middle of the century some of these, such as the Saracen’s Head at Islington and the Boar’s Head outside Aldgate, were being used as a venue for the performance of plays. (The only remaining example of those types of inn in London is the George at Borough High Street). Jerome Savage of the