Meet the players and their characters

Sir Robert Cecil’s Men, Players of Skill and Quality!

Travelling theatre companies are common during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Many come from the great London theatres such as the Rose and Burbage’s new Globe, as they are often forced to go on tour during the summer to escape outbreaks of the plague in the rat infested city. To cut down on expense they trim their company to a few key players and pick up hired men as the need and opportunity arises. Travelling from town to town they find work wherever they can, often performing on village greens, inn yards or, if very lucky, at the great houses of the rich. As the numbers of homeless and jobless beggars who roam the countryside have been causing problems, a theatre company will look for a nobleman to become their patron. Although they often do not receive any funding from him the use of his name is evidence of their respectability and ensures a kinder welcome.

This company is drawn from a mixed bag of mainly ex-military men who claim to have a variety of dubious connections with the great theatre companies of London. Sponsored by Sir Robert Cecil, Earl of Salisbury, there is much rumour about a more sinister purpose for this travelling band. As Elizabeth’s first minister, it is Cecil’s duty to guard the Queen and country against any threat from without and within. Also, it is well known that Cecil is currently vying with the Earl of Essex for the most powerful position at court. Any person who hires these players is well advised to keep their own counsel, lest their opinions come to the ears of Cecil! (Of course, reports of a good nature may find them favour at court and can easily be assured, with a small payment.)

   Sir Robert Cecil’s Men, a powerhouse of an idea!

Captain Richard Stanton – Main sharer, manager and lead player.

Served in the armies of Queen Elizabeth in the Low Countries and Ireland, but is now engaged in a less dangerous profession (although some say he takes his life in his hands every time he goes on stage). As main sharer he insists on the lead roles, unless the company can persuade him otherwise. A sensitive soul, his main weakness is drink, so he is often not seen before midday. Commissioned by Sir Robert Cecil to take his company on tour, it is said that he is Cecil’s roving eyes and ears (when sober).

Percy Goodworth – Sharer, bookkeeper and player.

Ingram Frizer - Sharer, gatherer and player.

 
Once a personal servant and theatrical business agent for Thomas Walsingham, cousin of the former Secretary of State, Sir Francis Walsingham. Ingram is a known con-artist, money lender and occasional courier/spy for the Queen’s secret service. He has on occasion boasted of his ability to lie convincingly under any circumstance……his acting, however leaves something to be desired! A noted drinking friend of Captain Stanton’s, Frizer is thought to have introduced him to Sir Robert Cecil.

William Kempston – Stagekeeper and payer.

 
Son of Henry Kempston, Staffordshire wool merchant, he was schooled in London before working in Southampton organising the shipment of his father ’s wool to France. Looking for more he gained command of a merchantman named the Swift, at first sailing for his father, then independently shipping goods around Europe. Armed to face the Armada, the Swift was unfortunately sunk during combat. Refused financial help by his father, Will returned to London trying various jobs before eventually gaining employment with Cecil’s Men by dint of his carpentry skills learnt at sea.

Harry Bateman - Tireman and player.
Born in Wolverhampton, the son of a poor farm labourer, Harry and his young wife, Hannah, made the long walk to London to seek their fortune. Working in the Little Rose, Henslowe’s other bankside business; Harry scraped a living entertaining the Elizabethan underworld. Unfortunately, Harry was linked to the sudden death of a friend of the Earl of Essex who had been too familiar with Hannah. In gratitude, Cecil arranged for them to go into hiding with his company of players. Initially received cautiously, they are now accepted members of the group, especially Hannah when she sets up her bath-house.

Mistress Marianne Boniface – Seamstress and tiring area.

The fourth daughter of a French merchant who settled in England. She ran away to avoid an arranged marriage to a 70 year old landowner and also to seek a more colourful life. An excellent seamstress with whom all the players are smitten. Percy Goodworth, however, is currently in receipt of her favours (…So what was wrong with the 70 year old?! Ed.)

Mistress Hannah Bateman - ticket sales and money.

As a young woman from a large Midlands family, she travelled to London, to stay with relatives, hoping for an opportunity to make something of herself. Sadly she found Master Henslowe and the Rose tavern! After being in ‘service’ for two long years, she was rescued from this squalid life when she fell in love with the handsome itinerant player, Harry Bateman. Hannah now travels with the group and has a young son, Byron, who is anxious to appear on stage…….at all the wrong times!

   Byron Bateman
Son of Harry and Hannah, shows great potential as a play write. Percy is envious of his writing and oratory skills.

Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Stanton (Daughter of Captain Stanton) –

 
Liz was born in London and lived with her mother there, whilst her father was abroad on military service. Sadly her mother died of the plague when Liz was 10 years old and she moved out to stay with her grandparents, in the relative safety of a village in Leicestershire. When she heard that her father had returned to England and was touring with a group of travelling players, she pleaded to join him, mainly to further her growing interest in young men!

Edward Stanley – Player.
Born in 1570 to a lesser branch of the powerful northern family. With the army at Tilbury in 1588, where he commanded pioneer companies. Fought in the Low Countries in the early 1590’s and with the Cadiz expedition of 1596, as an engineer. Recently returned from a tour of Italy and the Mediterranean in some haste. Rumour is rife of lynch mobs and some indiscretion with the Duke of Florence’s niece. The gentleman could not possibly comment!

Joseph Ruddle – Player and businessman.
Originally a brewer, Joseph has expanded his business interests in recent years. Rarely travelling without his three ‘friends’, Mary Theakston, Elisa Goodhead and Cornelia Dregg. The precise relationship between these four is unclear, suffice to say that Joseph appears to act as their ‘agent’. The clever money has it that they joined Sir Robert Cecil’s Men on a tour of the country as the Ladies thought that business would be better on the road. Gentlemen, have a care with your purse.

Mary Theakston

Elisa Goodhead

Cornelia Dregg.

Ned Goodthrust – Player.

A veteran player, who has graced the stages of many of the finest inns and theatres in London. Unfortunately, due to his penchant for pretty women (well, any woman) and also due to his mounting debts, he was forced to flee the city and join Sir Robert Cecil’s Men on tour. Some say his biggest downfall is his vanity, particularly his hair. You will rarely see him wearing a hat.

From a noble but disgraced family, Molly had to leave the confiscated family estates to make her own way in the world. This proved to be her making. The former owner of a number of Inns and Houses of Ill Repute, Molly became a highly successful businesswoman. Sadly she married badly, her new husband gambling away all of Molly’s hard earned fortune. He promptly died in a freak bar skittles accident. Heavily implicated in his death, Molly showed her usual poor judgement in men, running away with Ned Goodthrust to tour with Sir Robert Cecil’s Men and thereby avoid further questioning by the authorities.