Augustine Phillips facts for kids
Augustine Phillips (died May 1605) was a famous Elizabethan actor. He performed in acting groups with well-known actors like Edward Alleyn and William Shakespeare. Phillips was one of the first English actors to become wealthy and respected because of his acting career.
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Augustine Phillips: A Life in Theatre
Starting His Acting Career
Phillips first appears in historical records around 1590 to 1592. He was part of a large acting group that included Lord Strange's Men and the Admiral's Men. During this time, he acted in a play called The Seven Deadly Sins. He played the role of Sardanapalus.
In 1592, Phillips was part of a touring group of Strange's Men. After their leader, Ferdinando Stanley, passed away, Phillips joined a new and important company. This was the Lord Chamberlain's Men, which later became Shakespeare's main acting group. Phillips likely became a "sharer" in this company, meaning he owned a part of it.
Acting with Shakespeare's Company
Phillips stayed with the company as it changed its name to the King's Men. He remained with them until his death in 1605. We don't know many specific roles he played. However, he was probably an experienced actor when he joined.
He is listed in the cast for several plays by another famous writer, Ben Jonson. These plays include Every Man in His Humour (1598), Every Man Out of His Humour (1599), and Sejanus (1603). Phillips might have also written a short musical play called Phillips His Slipper.
Becoming a Theatre Owner
Augustine Phillips was one of six people who owned the famous Globe Theatre. He had a one-eighth share when it was built in 1598–1599. Owning part of the Globe made him quite rich for an actor of his time.
Like Shakespeare, Phillips lived near the theatres for many years. He lived in areas like Southwark, close to the Swan Theatre, and in Aldgate. By the time he died, he owned a house in Mortlake, a town in Surrey.
A Trusted Representative
In 1601, Phillips was chosen to represent his acting company. He had to speak to the Privy Council, a group of royal advisors. This was about their performance of Shakespeare's Richard II. Supporters of the Earl of Essex had paid the actors extra to perform this play. This happened just before the Earl's failed rebellion.
Phillips's testimony seemed to calm any anger the court had towards the actors. The company was not punished. In fact, they performed for Queen Elizabeth herself on February 24, 1601. This was the night before the Earl of Essex was executed. Phillips might have been chosen to speak because he helped manage the company's money.
Family and Legacy
Phillips's life was very connected to the theatre world. His stepbrother, Thomas Pope, was also a King's Man actor. His sister married another actor named Robert Gough.
Phillips had daughters named Magdalen and Rebecca, who were baptized in Southwark in 1594 and 1596. A son, Augustine, was baptized in 1601 but sadly passed away three years later.
Phillips's will, a legal document about his wishes after death, was signed in May 1605. It mentioned his wife Anne, two other daughters (Anne and Elizabeth), and many other family members. His will included some interesting gifts:
- A silver bowl worth £5 to each of his friends and fellow actors: John Heminges, Richard Burbage, and William Sly.
- A 30-shilling gold coin each to Shakespeare, Henry Condell, and Christopher Beeston. Beeston was likely Phillips's former apprentice.
- 20 shillings in gold each to other actors: Lawrence Fletcher, Robert Armin, Alexander Cooke, Richard Cowley, and Nicholas Tooley.
- 40 shillings to his apprentice, James Sands. He also left Sands a cittern, a bandora, and a lute. These were given when Sands finished his training.
- 40 shillings to his "late apprentice" Samuel Gilburne. He also left Gilburne some clothes, a sword, a dagger, and a bass viol.
- £5 to be shared among the other hired actors in his company.
The musical instruments mentioned in his will suggest that Phillips was also a musician. This means he likely played a part in the music used during plays throughout his acting career.
See Also
