<P> Because both court and city were interested in limiting the number of acting troupes in London, and because there was, consequently, a glut of large open - roof venues in the city, the Swan was only intermittently home to drama . Along with The Isle of Dogs, the most famous play to premiere there was Thomas Middleton's A Chaste Maid in Cheapside, performed by the newly merged Lady Elizabeth's Men in 1613 . The theatre offered other popular entertainments, such as swashbuckling competitions and bear - baiting . </P> <P> For the next eight years, the building was used occasionally for special entertainment . After 1615 the Swan was deserted for five years, but used again in 1621 by some actors who are unknown . They did not stay for long . </P> <P> The building grew decrepit over the next two decades . In Nicholas Goodman's 1632 pamphlet Holland's Leaguer, the theatre is described as "now fallen into decay, and, like a dying swan, hangs her head and sings her own dirge ." Historical sources do not mention the Swan after that date . </P>

What was the roof of the globe theatre called