<P> Thousands ( perhaps even millions ) of performances of William Shakespeare 's plays have been staged since the end of the 16th century . While Shakespeare was alive , many of his greatest plays were performed by the Lord Chamberlain 's Men and King 's Men acting companies at the Globe and Blackfriars Theatres . Among the actors of these original performances were Richard Burbage ( who played the title role in the first performances of Hamlet , Othello , Richard III and King Lear ) , Richard Cowley , and William Kempe . </P>
<P> Thousands ( perhaps even millions ) of performances of William Shakespeare 's plays have been staged since the end of the 16th century . While Shakespeare was alive , many of his greatest plays were performed by the Lord Chamberlain 's Men and King 's Men acting companies at the Globe and Blackfriars Theatres . Among the actors of these original performances were Richard Burbage ( who played the title role in the first performances of Hamlet , Othello , Richard III and King Lear ) , Richard Cowley , and William Kempe . </P>
who played hamlet lear and macbeth for the first time
who played hamlet lear and macbeth for the first time
Richard Burbage
Richard Burbage