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 Curtain Close, a place named itself after the nearby London Wall. 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.

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

Fortune Theatre - EC1

Fortune Theatre - EC1

Knowledge of London says: "One of the earliest theatres, the Fortune Theatre . . . was first opened in 1600 by Philip Henslowe and Edward Allen. It burnt down in 1621 and was rebuilt soon afterward...

Building, Theatre

2 memorials
Leslie Howard

Leslie Howard

Actor and film director. Born Leslie Howard Steiner at 31 Westbourne Road, Forest Hill. He began his career as a stage actor in Britain and the USA. In films, he appeared in 'Berkeley Square', 'The...

Person, Cinema, Theatre, USA

1 memorial
W. S. Gilbert

W. S. Gilbert

Playwright, lyricist & poet. Born 17 Southampton Street as William Schwenck Gilbert. The Savoy Operas were written by Gilbert, with Sullivan providing the music and Richard D'Oyly Carte providi...

Person, Music / songs, Poetry, Seriously Famous, Theatre

7 memorials
Vic-Wells Association

Vic-Wells Association

Organisation to support Sadler's Wells & the Old Vic.  From their website: "The Vic-Wells Association was founded between 1922-1923 by Lilian Baylis. The Association's objective at that time wa...

Group, Community / Clubs, Theatre

1 memorial
Lady Winifred Fortescue

Lady Winifred Fortescue

Writer and actress. Born as Winifred Beech in a Suffolk rectory. Died France. 1914 she married John Fortescue (1859-1933, librarian, archivist at Windsor Castle and British Army historian), despit...

Person, Benefactor, Literature, Theatre, France

1 memorial