<P> This timeline charts the existence of major English playing companies from 1572 ("Acte for the punishment of Vacabondes", which legally restricted acting to players with a patron of sufficient degree) to 1642 (the closing of the theatres by Parliament). A variety of strolling players, and even early London - based troupes existed before 1572 . The situations were often fluid, and much of this history is obscure; this timeline necessarily implies more precision than exists in some cases . The labels down the left indicate the most common names for the companies . The bar segments indicate the specific patron . In the case of children's companies (a distinct legal situation) some founders are noted . </P> <Ul> <Li> Susan Baskervile, investor and litigant </Li> <Li> William Beeston, manager </Li> <Li> George Buc, Master of the Revels 1609--1622 </Li> <Li> Cuthbert Burbage, entrepreneur </Li> <Li> James Burbage, entrepreneur </Li> <Li> Ralph Crane, scribe </Li> <Li> Philip Henslowe, entrepreneur </Li> <Li> Henry Herbert, Master of the Revels 1623--1673 </Li> <Li> Edward Knight, prompter </Li> <Li> Francis Langley, entrepreneur </Li> <Li> John Rhodes, manager </Li> <Li> Edmund Tilney, Master of the Revels 1579--1609 </Li> </Ul> <Li> Susan Baskervile, investor and litigant </Li> <Li> William Beeston, manager </Li>

What of the following was not a typical kind of english renaissance drama