Playing Companies and Commerce in Shakespeare's Time

This book examines the nature of commercial relations among the theater companies in London during the time of Shakespeare. Roslyn Knutson argues that the companies cooperated in the adoption of business practices that would enable the theatrical enterprise to flourish. Suggesting the guild as a model of economic cooperation, Knutson considers the networks of fellowship among players, the marketing strategies of the repertory, and company relationships with playwrights and members of the book trade. This important contribution to theatre history will be of interest to scholars as well as historians.