The Best Actors in the World: Shakespeare and His Acting Company

Much has been conjectured about Shakespeare’s life and career, and numerous biographies have been written about him. But while much is known about the Elizabethan theatre, little has been done to examine Shakespeare in relation to his acting company. This volume investigates Shakespeare as a member of his acting company, dates and casts all the plays presented by them from 1594 to 1614, and explores the effects of the actors on his writing. In doing so, it attempts to provide a better understanding of Shakespeare’s life in drama and the creation and staging of his plays.