Edward Alleyn
Edward Alleyn (* September 1, 1566 in London, † November 25, 1626 ibid ) was one of the most famous actors in times of William Shakespeare.
Life
Alleyn was the son of a London host. Already as a teenager he joined the jugglers and actors troupe of the Earl of Worcester at ( Worcester Men). In the years 1584 to 1585 this force occurred on various occasions between London and Stratford- upon- Avon.
1585 Alleyn went back to London to take advantage of the chance to be court actor. Soon after his arrival he became a member of the theater group Admiral 's Men With this ensemble he played almost a lifetime. His greatest success was achieved with the main roles of Christopher Marlowe Tamburlaine and The Jew of Malta Alleyn.
Even in pieces by Robert Greene as Orlando furioso had Alleyn on stage. Through all this success Alleyn was not only famous but also very wealthy. On October 22, 1592, he married in London Joan Woodward, a step-daughter of Theatre Director Philip Henslowe. As dowry his wife brought a partnership of the Rose Theatre into the marriage.
Since the spring of the following year the plague broke out, the theater was closed and brought into the bankruptcy. It was only at the turn of 1593/94 the danger was over and the group Admiral 's Men was hired exclusively for the Rose Theatre. Until 1596 this theater brought over 55 new productions to the stage. Only The wise men of Chester by Anthony Munday was listed 32 times.
In 1598, Alleyn finished with 32 years of his career as an actor and worked only as a manager and director. On January 8, 1600 founded Alleyn and his father Philip Henslowe, the Fortune Theatre. The architect Peter Street was instructed to build an exact replica of the Globe Theatre here.
With 47 years Alleyn in Dulwich bought a stately home. There he founded next to the hospital in 1619 and the College of God's Gift at Dullwich (now Dullwich College).
On June 28, 1623 died his wife Joan. Found solace Alleyn but very quickly at Constance Donne, a daughter of writer John Donne. With 57 years Alleyn married on December 3, 1623 Twenty year old. The two were granted for three years.
During a business trip to Yorkshire Edward Alleyn caught a cold and died at the age of 60 years on November 25, 1626 in London.