Banqueting Hall and Holbein Gate, Whitehall. Tiltyard in foreground. Reproduced with kind permission from a model by John B. Thorp, Esq.
The Cockpit, built in the reign of Henry VIII, was sometimes used for presenting plays, and quite possibly Shakespeare’s plays may have been given here before Queen Elizabeth. The building was octagonal in shape, resembling the public theatres, containing galleries and staircases. The original site stood in the neighbourhood of Downing Street. This building has frequently been confused with the Cockpit Theatre, situated in Drury Lane. There are many traps laid for the writers of early theatrical matters, and an author cannot be careful enough in thoroughly investigating his sources. I have noticed the most painstaking writers sometimes go astray, even Mr. Law, to whose interesting and valuable account of the Whitehall Palace I have been entirely indebted for the above description, alluded to the Blackfriars Theatre as being the scene of Shakespeare’s activities. There is not an atom of evidence to prove that Shakespeare ever acted on its boards or that his plays were produced there during his lifetime. The only evidence is that Cuthbert Burbage, the son of Richard Burbage, states that his father, in 1609 or 1610, placed deserving men, Heminge Condell and Shakespeare, at the Blackfriars. This evidence was given in 1632, and does not say in what capacity Shakespeare was placed there. The evidence may only have been given to prove his claim, or perhaps Shakespeare acted as Stage Manager; in spite of this meagre evidence, all writers persist in stating that Shakespeare acted at this theatre, which I emphatically deny, on the grounds that in the year 1610 Shakespeare severed his connexion with the stage and retired soon afterwards to Stratford-on-Avon.
Court performances were frequently held at Whitehall. As early as 1560 the Earl of Leicester’s players performed at one of the royal palaces before the Queen; in some instances the names of the plays performed are given, but unfortunately in most cases the name of the palace is not stated.
Chalmers, in his Apology, refers to Lord Strange’s men being paid £40 and £20 reward for six performances at Whitehall in December, 1591; the titles of the plays are not given. The most interesting performance presented at Whitehall was Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” as acted before his Majesty at Whitehall upon St. Stephen’s night at Christmas last. The entry for publication of “King Lear” is found on the books of the Stationers’ Company, where the record states that Nathaniel Butter and John Busby entered their names for a copy of “a booke called Master William Shakespeare, his history of King Lear”; the licence is dated November 22nd, 1607. The “Christmas last of the Stationers’ Register” and “in Christmas Hollidaies” of the printed edition refer to the year 1606. Whether Shakespeare took part in this production cannot be definitely stated, but the probabilities are that he acted with his company.
1579. The Irish Knight. The Earl of Warwick’s players were paid £6 13s. 4d. for presenting this play before the Queen at Whitehall. 1597. The history of Murderous Michael was presented in 1604. The Children of the Revels played before the Queen at Whitehall.
In 1608, John Hemings was paid £130 for 13 plays acted before his Majesty at Whitehall. The King and Prince Charles witnessed a play at Whitehall, given on Sunday. This performance took place in the year 1623. As stated above, several plays were presented at the Court at Whitehall, for many years in succession.
The Marquise Tremouille on thursday last tooke leave of the Kinge; that night was feasted at white hall by the duke of Lennox in the Queen’s greate chamber.
In the Kinge’s greate chamber they went to see the play of “Pirrocles Prince of Tyre,” which lasted till 2 o’clocke. After two actes the players ceased till the french all refreshed them with sweetmeats, brought on china voiders and wine and ale in bottells, after the players began anew.