George Bryan (actor) facts for kids
George Bryan was an actor who lived and worked in England between 1586 and 1613. He was part of the famous acting group called the Lord Chamberlain's Men. This group included very well-known actors like William Shakespeare and Richard Burbage.
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Who Was George Bryan?
George Bryan was an important actor during the time of English Renaissance theatre. This was a period in England (roughly from the late 1500s to the early 1600s) when plays and performances became very popular.
Early Acting Career
Bryan first appeared in historical records as one of five English actors. This group traveled to perform plays in Denmark and Saxony (parts of modern-day Germany) in 1586 and 1587.
Famous Plays and Companies
Around 1591, Bryan acted in a play called The Seven Deadly Sins. He performed with other actors who would later join the Lord Chamberlain's Men, such as Augustine Phillips and William Sly. He might also have toured with these actors in 1593, under the leadership of another famous actor, Edward Alleyn.
Joining the Lord Chamberlain's Men
Many historians believe George Bryan was one of the first members of the Lord Chamberlain's Men. This acting company was formed again in 1594. Bryan was definitely a key member by 1596. In that year, he and fellow actor John Heminges were paid for a special performance for the royal court. This means they performed for the King or Queen!
Life After Acting
It seems that George Bryan stopped acting around 1597. However, he continued to be involved with the royal court. Records show that in 1603, and again between 1611 and 1613, he worked as a Groom of the Chamber for King James I. A Groom of the Chamber was a person who served the King directly, helping with his daily needs and duties.
