From their arrival in London in 1589 C.E., William Shakespeare and his company of players were a sensation.  With the superlative acting skills of such thespians as Richard Burbage and Shakespeare himself, combined with the plays that are regarded as the pinnacle of English drama, the Royal Shakespeare Company made its mark upon royalty and commoner alike.  Housed in the Globe Theatre until it burned down, Shakespeare and his actors were commissioned by the king of England to be the monarch's personal acting troupe.  Popular even today, it is said by some that the  plot of any drama, comedy, or tragedy can trace its roots to the plays of this fascinating man and his troop of men.
