To navigate the timeline, click and drag it with your mouse, or click on the timeline overview on the bottom.
1550 CE
1560 CE
1570 CE
1580 CE
1590 CE
1600 CE
1610 CE
1620 CE
1630 CE
1640 CE
1650 CE
1660 CE
1559 CE: Elizabeth Io England prohibits the performance of unlicensed plays.
1564 CE - 1616 CE: Life of William Shakespeare.
1564 CE - 1593 CE: Life of the English poet and playwright Christopher Marlowe.
1572 CE: Only nobles are now permitted to sponsor plays and acting companies.
1572 CE - 1637 CE: Life of the poet and playwright Ben Jonson.
1574 CE: Introduction of licensing for all acting companies in England.
1576 CE: The first purpose-built and permanent theatre in England is built in London, the Theatre.
1585 CE: The first performance of Richard Tarlton's 'Seven Deadly Sins'.
1587 CE: The Rose theatre opens in London.
1587 CE: The first performance of Christopher Marlowe's 'Tamburlaine the Great'.
1589 CE: William Shakespeare writes his first play, 'Henry VI Part I'.
1592 CE: A wave of Black Death plague closes all theatres in London for one year.
1595 CE: The Swan theatre opens in London.
1596 CE: The first performance of William Shakespeare's 'A Midsummer Night’s Dream'.
1597 CE: The first performance of Ben Jonson's 'Isle of Dogs'.
1599 CE: Opening of the Globe Theatre in London.
1599 CE: The first performance of William Shakespeare's 'Henry V'.
1601 CE: The first performance of William Shakespeare's 'Hamlet'.
1606 CE: The first performance of William Shakespeare's 'Macbeth'.
1614 CE: The Globe Theatre in London is rebuilt after the original was destroyed by fire.
1623 CE: The First Folio is printed, a collection of 36 of William Shakespeare’s plays.
1642 CE - 1660 CE: Puritans ensure the closure of all theatres in England.