Shakespeare's Curtain Theatre

The site of Shakespeare's ancient Curtain Theatre.

Location: Curtain Road, Shoreditch

Description: The Curtain was operated by theatre manager James Burbage, was built in 1577.

It was home to Shakespeare's Company, the Lord Chamberlain's Men, from 1597 until The Globe opened two years later.

The theatre, named after the ancient road it was on, disappeared from historical records in 1622 but could have remained in use until the outbreak of the Civil War, 20 years later.

Plays thought to have premiered there include Henry V, Romeo and Juliet and Ben Jonson's Every Man in His Humour.

When the actor-manager James Burbage fell out with his landlord at the Theatre, the company according to cherished theatre legend dismantled the timbers overnight and shipped them across the river to build his most famous theatre, the Globe, on Bankside.

The site is planned to open to the public eventually, after the block is developed into retail and accomodation.

Themes: Theatre Theatre Theme