Short Biography of the life of William Rowley - Elizabethan actor
The following biography information provides basic facts about the life William Rowley: - Nationality - English
- Lifespan - William Rowley (1585 - 1642)
- Acting Troupes: Member of the Queen Anne's Men, the Duke of York's Men, Prince Charles's Men and then joined the King's Men in 1623
- Career - Actor and Playwright
- Specialised in comedy roles
- He acted at the Globe Theatre, Curtain, the Hope, and the Red Bull
- He wrote many plays including All’s Lost by Lust in 1622 and The Changeling, which was written with Thomas Middleton
- He co-wrote plays with the most famous playwrights of the era including John Webster, Thomas Heywood, John Fletcher, Philip Massinger, George Wilkins, John Ford, Thomas Heywood and Thomas Dekker
- He also wrote The Birth of Merlin which was performed in 1622 and printed in 1662. The title page claims William Shakespeare as Rowley's co-writer, but this claim has never been verified
- Famous for :
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. The Chamberlain's Men / King's Men Acting Troupe
The Chamberlain's Men, of which William Rowley 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. William Rowley
Interesting Facts and information about the History, Life & Times of the famous Elizabethan actor, William Rowley. Additional details, facts and information about the Globe Theatre and other actors can be accessed via the Globe Theatre Sitemap. |
