Building    From 1577  To 1642

Curtain Theatre

Categories: Theatre

This, the second English purpose-built playhouse was erected very close to the first, The Theatre, and run by the same man, Burbage.  Not named for the modern drape on a proscenium arch, but for its proximity to the old curtain wall of Holywell Priory. Long plain sections of wall are still known to those in the know as "curtain walls".

Here, in this "wooden O", Shakespeare performed and Henry V was staged. Ceased operating somewhere between 1622 and the Civil War, 1642. In 2008, the Museum of London unearthed the footings of the Theatre and a new theatre is set to be built on the site.

 

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Curtain Theatre

Commemorated ati

Curtain Theatre - Curtain Road

On this site stood The Curtain Theatre (1577 - 1599) William Shakespeare firs...

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Curtain Theatre - Hewett Street

Near this site stood The Curtain Theatre, 1577 - c.1627, second English publi...

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Other Subjects

Sir Noel Coward

Sir Noel Coward

Actor, playwright, composer, film director, author, singer. Born Helmsdale, 5 Waldegrave Road, Teddington. Died at home in Jamaica, where he was buried. Obsessed with the theatre, he was a child a...

Person, Cinema, Gender Issues, Music / songs, Seriously Famous, Theatre, Jamaica

4 memorials
George Leybourne

George Leybourne

Music hall entertainer. Born Gateshead. His first stage name was Joe Saunders. 1866 he had a big success with the song 'Champagne Charlie' and took on the name and life-style for ever after. Engage...

Person, Humour, Theatre

1 memorial
Virginia McKenna

Virginia McKenna

Actor and wild-life campaigner.  Born Marylebone.  Briefly married to actor Denholm Elliott, then to actor Bill Travers 1957 until his death in 1994.  Played Violette Szabo, in the 1958 film 'Carve...

Person, Cinema, Animals, Theatre

1 memorial
Sir Terence Rattigan

Sir Terence Rattigan

Playwright. Born Terence Mervyn Rattigan at 100 Cornwall Gardens, London. He achieved early theatrical success with his comedy 'French Without Tears' in 1936. This was followed by 'The Winslow Boy'...

Person, Seriously Famous, Theatre, Bermuda

1 memorial
Cameron Mackintosh

Cameron Mackintosh

Theatre producer and owner. Born in Enfield. He is one of the most successful producer of musicals in London's West End, including 'Les Miserables', 'The Phantom of the Opera' and 'Hamilton'.

Person, Theatre

1 memorial