Whitefriars Theatre

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The Whitefriars Theatre was a theatre in Jacobean London, in existence from 1608 to 1629.

The Whitefriars district was outside the medieval city walls of London to the west; it took its name from the priory of Carmelite monks ("white friars" due to their characteristic robes) that had existed there before Henry VIII's suppression of the monsateries. Until 1608 the Whitefriars district was a "liberty" of the City, beyond the direct control of the Lord Mayor and the aldermen; as such, it tended to attract the elements of society that had an interest in resisting authority. Like actors: there is a single allusion to a theatre in Whitefriars that was suppressed sometime in the reign of Queen Elizabeth.

In 1608, Michael Drayton and Thomas Woodford leased the mansion house of the old priory from Lord Buckhurst, for a term of seven years. The private theatre constructed there was occupied at first by the King's Revels company during its brief life; in 1609 their place was taken by the Queen's Revels company, who were joined by Prince Charles' Men and Lady Elizabeth's Men. After 1615, Prince Charles' Men seem to have been the dominant tenants, once the Queen's Revels players moved to the Porter's Hall Theatre.

The Whitefriars Theatre lasted until 1629, when it was replaced by the Salisbury Court Theatre.

[edit] Reference

• F. E. Halliday, A Shakespeare Companion 1564-1964, Baltimore, Penguin, 1964.