Christopher Beeston
Interesting information about
the life and times of Christopher Beeston and the
Globe
Theatre of Elizabethan London, England
Short Biography of
the life of Christopher Beeston - Elizabethan actor
The following biography information
provides basic facts about the life Christopher Beeston:
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Nationality - English
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Lifespan - Christopher
Beeston (1570 - 1638)
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Family - father of the actor
William Beeston and father-in-law of Theophilus Bird
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Acting Troupes: Member of the
Chamberlains Men and the Queen Anne's Men
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Career - Actor and
theatrical entrepreneur
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Famous for : Converting the
Cockpit into a theatre
The reputation of the early
Elizabethan Actors was not good and any were viewed as no better than
rogues and vagabonds - actors were not trusted. The standing of actors
improved when the purpose-built theatres were introduced and some
Elizabethan actors became the equivalent of today's superstars.
Facts & History
about the life of Christopher Beeston - Elizabethan Actor
The following are additional facts
about the life and history of Christopher Beeston:
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Born in London in 1570
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He began his career as
an actor with Strange's Men
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The 1616 Folio of Ben
Jonson's Works contains cast lists for his plays. The cast list for
Jonson's Every Man in His Humor, performed in 1598, includes "Will
Shakespeare, Aug. Philips, Hen. Condel, Will. Slye, Will. Kempe, Ric.
Burbadge, Ioh. Hemings, Tho. Pope, Chr. Beeston, and Ioh. Duke."
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In 1602 he worked with
the Worcester's Men at the Rose Theatre and remained with them when
they became Queen Anne's Men in 1603
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He was married to
Elizabeth Beeston
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He converted the Cockpit
into a playhouse theatre in 1616
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In 1617 there was some
rioting in London and the newly converted theatre was burnt down by
the mob
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The Cockpit theatre was
rebuilt in 1618 and given the name the Phoenix, as it rose from the
ashes
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He formed his own acting
troupe called the Beeston Boys
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A favourite actor of
Queen Anne and King James I
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He died in November 1638
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Sir William Davenant,
who was rumoured to be the illegitimate son of William Shakespeare,
became manager of the theater after the death of Christopher Beeston
in 1638
The Chamberlain's Men Acting Troupe
The Chamberlain's Men, of which Christopher Beeston was a member, were the most
important company of players in Elizabethan England and led by the
Burbage family and William Shakespeare. Initially known as known as
Hunsdon's Men, whose patron was Henry Carey the first Lord Hunsdon.
Hunsdon then took office as the Lord Chamberlain. The Chamberlain's Men
were taken under the royal patronage of James I in March 1603 and were
then known as the King's Men. The main rivals of the Chamberlain's Men
were the Admiral's Men Acting Troupe
led by Edward Alleyn and Phillip Henslowe.
Christopher Beeston
Interesting Facts and information
about
the History, Life & Times of
the famous Elizabethan actor, Christopher Beeston.
Additional details, facts and information about the
Globe Theatre and other actors can be accessed via the Globe Theatre Sitemap.
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