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 Anthony Hopkins, CBE

Sir Anthony Hopkins, CBE

Actor. Born Port Talbot, Wales. Spotted by Olivier in 1965 and invited to join the National Theatre as Olivier's understudy.

Person, Cinema, Theatre, Wales

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
Vivien Leigh

Vivien Leigh

Born Darjeeling, India.  She and her husband Laurence Olivier, managed the St James's Theatre from 1950 to its closure in 1957. She led a vigorous but unsuccessful campaign to try and save it.  Die...

Person, Cinema, Theatre

4 memorials
Peter Cushing

Peter Cushing

Actor. Born Peter Wilton Cushing in Kenley, Surrey. After playing small roles on stage, he went to America where he performed in several films, including one with Laurel and Hardy. Returning to Bri...

Person, Cinema, Theatre, TV & Radio, USA

1 memorial
Donald Pleasence

Donald Pleasence

Actor. Born at 62 Potter Street, Worksop, Nottinghamshire. In an extensive career on stage, television and cinema (he appeared in over 200 films), he specialised in villainous parts such as Blofeld...

Person, Cinema, Theatre, TV & Radio, France

1 memorial