Lord Chamberlain's Men

In the spring of 1594, 26 London actors joined together to create an acting company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men. These actors included London’s leading dramatic actor at the time, Richard Burbage; plus Will Kempe, London’s leading comic actor; as well as Richard Cowly, William Slye, John Heminges, Alexander Cooke, Henry Condell, and the 30-year-old actor from the small town Stratford-on-the-Avon, William Shakespeare.

He, as well as the others, were most fortunate, because this acting company brought together the talents of extraordinary men, rarely seen before in theatrical history.

Because of...