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
- Lifespan - Also known as Ned Allen (1566 - 1626)
- Family - Son of an inn keeper
- Career - Theatre Manager, Entrepreneur and Principal Actor
- Acting Troupes: Member of the Worcester's Men and the Admiral's Men. Formed Prince Henry's Men
- 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: - Born in London on September 1, 1566
- The son of an inn keeper
- He was first married on the 22nd of October 1592 to Joan Woodward who was the stepdaughter of Philip Henslowe
- 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
- A favourite actor of Queen Elizabeth I and King James I
- He held the post of "master of the king's games of bears, bulls and dogs".
- Famous for acting in plays by Christopher Marlowe including Tamburlaine, Doctor Faustus, and The Jew of Malta
- The Rose Theatre was used as a base for the theatrical productions of the Admiral’s Men Acting Troupe, lead by Edward Alleyn
- 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!)
- Edward Alleyn returned to the stage in an attempt to lure the crowds from The Globe Theatre.
- He died in November 1626
- 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. |