Playing Companies and Commerce in Shakespeare's Time

by Roslyn Lander Knutson

• ISBN13: 9780521031165
• ISBN10: 0521031168
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-11-02
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

Playing Companies and Commerce in Shakespeare's Time examines the nature of commercial relations among the theatre companies in London during the time of Shakespeare. Roslyn Knutson argues that the playing companies cooperated in the adoption of business practices that would enable the theatrical enterprise to flourish. Suggesting the guild as a model of economic cooperation, Knutson considers the networks of fellowship among players, the marketing strategies of the repertory, and company relationships with playwrights and members of the book trade. The book challenges two entrenched views about theatrical commerce: that companies engaged in cut-throat rivalry to drive one another out of business and that companies based business decisions on the personal and professional quarrels of the players and dramatists with whom they worked. This important contribution to theatre history will be of interest to scholars as well as historians.

Table of Contents

Map	p. viii
Tables	p. viii
Acknowledgements	p. ix
Theatre History as Personality	p. 1
Players and Company Commerce	p. 21
Playwrights, Repertories, the Book Trade, and Company Commerce	p. 48
Histrio-Mastix and Company Commerce	p. 75
Hamlet and Company Commerce	p. 103
Poetaster, satiromastix, and Company Commerce	p. 127
Conclusion: Hot Anger and Company Commerce	p. 147
Notes	p. 150
Bibliography	p. 177
Index	p. 188
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