Edward Alleyn (aka Ned Allen)
Interesting information about
the life and times of Edward Alleyn and the
Globe
Theatre of Elizabethan London, England
Short Biography of
the life of Edward Alleyn - Elizabethan actor
The following biography information
provides basic facts about the life Edward Alleyn:
-
Nationality - English
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Lifespan - Also known as Ned
Allen
(1566 - 1626)
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Family - Son of an inn
keeper
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Career - Theatre Manager,
Entrepreneur and Principal Actor
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Acting Troupes: Member of
the Worcester's Men and the Admiral's Men. Formed Prince Henry's Men
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Famous as : Great
Elizabethan actor and the founder of Dulwich College and Alleyn's School
in London
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 Edward Alleyn - Elizabethan Actor
The following are additional facts
about the life and history of Edward Alleyn:
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Born in London on
September 1, 1566
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The son of an inn keeper
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He was first married on
the 22nd of October 1592 to Joan Woodward who was the stepdaughter
of Philip Henslowe
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Philip Henslowe whose
diary, covering the years 1592 to 1603, is one of the most important
documents providing first had information about the Elizabethan
theatre and its organization
-
He married Constance
Donne, the daughter of John Donne the poet and Dean of St Paul's, in
1623
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A favourite actor of
Queen Elizabeth I and King James I
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He held the post of
"master of the king's games of bears, bulls and dogs".
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Famous for acting in
plays by Christopher Marlowe including Tamburlaine, Doctor Faustus,
and The Jew of Malta
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The Rose Theatre was
used as a base for the theatrical productions of the Admiral’s Men
Acting Troupe, lead by Edward Alleyn
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In 1614 Edward Alleyn
and Philip Henslowe had the Bear Garden demolished and replaced with
a new playhouse which they called The Hope Theatre (aptly named!)
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Edward Alleyn returned
to the stage in an attempt to lure the crowds from The Globe
Theatre.
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He died in November 1626
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He was buried in the
chapel of Dulwich College which he had founded
It is interesting to note
that Dulwich College is an independent, fee-paying public school in
Dulwich, a suburb of south-east London, England. Edward Alleyn founded
the college to educate 12 poor scholars. Dulwich College now has 1450
boys and is the largest British public school. The names of the roads
and streets around the college are named after Edward Alleyn and his
family, for example Woodward Road was named after his first wife Joan
Woodward.
The Admiral's Men Acting Troupe
The Admiral's Men Acting Troupe, of which Edward Alleyn was the leader, were known
as Lord Howard's Men after their patron Charles Howard, 1st Earl of
Nottingham, 2nd Baron Howard of Effingham. In 1585, when Lord Howard
became England's Lord High Admiral, the company changed its name to the
Admiral's Men. The main rivals of the Admiral's Men were the
Chamberlain's Men ( later the King's Men ) led by the Burbage family and
William Shakespeare.
Edward Alleyn
Interesting Facts and information
about
the History, Life & Times of
the famous Elizabethan actor, Edward Alleyn.
Additional details, facts and information about the
Globe Theatre and other actors can be accessed via the Globe Theatre Sitemap.
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