‘Tales, Tempests and such like drolleries’

Abstract

The last major redirection of Shakespeare’s career took place in 1608. The Children of the Revels, then occupying the Blackfriars theatre, were in disgrace for staging Chapman’s politically-pointed Byron plays, and their financial backers decided to sell back the lease of the building to the Burbages. On 9 August Richard Burbage set up a new syndicate of seven sharers in the Blackfriars, who would each contribute to the annual rent of £40 and divide the profits among them. Among the sharers were four other actors from the King’s Men, including Shakespeare, but one of these, William Sly, died only five days later and his share was redistributed among the remaining partners. The King’s Men intended to use the Blackfriars as their winter house, retaining the Globe for use in the summer, but taking advantage of the indoor theatre when the light and the weather were so much poorer. Apparently the objections to use of the building by ‘common players’ no longer applied. As with the Globe, the ownership and profits of the ‘house’ were distinct from the profits of the acting company that used it, even though some of the personnel involved were the same. Thus, when the King’s Men were finally able to take advantage of their new facility — not until late in 1609, because of the plague — Shakespeare derived two incomes from his involvement with the Blackfriars, in addition to payment for his plays.