The ‘Blackfriars’ and ‘Globe’ on the Bankside. A winter, and summer house belonging to the same Company; called ‘The King’s Servants’.
The ‘Cockpit’ or ‘Phoenix’ in Drury Lane; called ‘The Queen’s Servants’.
The Private House in Salisbury Court; called ‘The Prince’s Servants’.
The ‘Fortune’ near White Cross Street: and the ‘Red Bull’ at the upper end of St. John’s Street. The two last were mostly frequented by citizens, and the meaner sort of people.
All these Companies got money, and lived in reputation: especially those of the ‘Blackfriars’, who were men of grave and sober behaviour.
Lovewit. Which I much admire at. That the Town, much less than at present, could then maintain Five Companies; and yet now Two can hardly subsist.
Truman. Do not wonder, but consider! That though the Town was then, perhaps, not much more than half so populous as now; yet then the prices were small (there being no scenes), and better order kept among the company that came: which made very good people think a play an innocent diversion for an idle hour or two; the plays being then, for the most part, more instructive and moral.... It is an argument of the worth of the Plays and Actors of the last Age, and easily inferred that they were much beyond ours in this, to consider that they could support themselves merely from their own merit, the weight of the matter, and goodness of the action; without scenes and machines....
Lovewit. I have read of one Edward Alleyn.... Was he one of the ‘Blackfriars’?
Truman. Never, as I have heard; for he was dead before my time. He was Master of a Company of his own; for whom he built the ‘Fortune’ playhouse from the ground: a large round brick building....
Lovewit. What kind of Playhouses had they before the Wars?