Shakespeare and the Stage / With a Complete List of Theatrical Terms Used by Shakespeare in His Plays and Poems, Arranged in Alphabetical Order, & Explanatory Notes

During the Shakesperean era the custom of maintaining a company of children actors was continued. The custom was inaugurated by Henry the Eighth. Several of these juvenile companies existed, the chief of which were attached to the Court. The best known amongst them were the Children of the Chapel Royal, the Windsor Chapel Choir, and the celebrated Children of St. Paul’s Choir, the Children of Westminster School, and several others.

The inner history of these companies is only known in a very fragmentary state. A somewhat detailed account is given of the boys of the Chapel Royal, and that is owing to the indefatigable labours of Professor and Mrs. Wallace. Even in this study many details are lacking which further research may amend.

The famous passage of “Hamlet,” where Shakespeare alludes to these children players, is responsible for many details in connexion with these small actors. For a time they played an important part in the theatrical annals of the period, otherwise Shakespeare’s outburst against them would have little point.

This passage in “Hamlet” proves they were a thorn in the sides of the adult players, and for a brief period carried all before them. Many well-known dramatists wrote plays especially for these young actors. No record exists of their appearance at a public theatre. The boys acted chiefly at the private house known as the Blackfriars Theatre. The company of the Chapel Royal, and that of the St. Paul’s Choir, can only be regarded as of a good all-round amateur ability comparable with societies of our own times.