Portrayals in Popular Culture
Alleyn appears as a character in the 1998 film Shakespeare in Love played by Ben Affleck. He is portrayed as a self-absorbed but well-admired actor who agrees to originate the role of Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet after being told that the play's title is "Mercutio" (an obvious parody of a stereotypical Hollywood star). Alleyn's provincial tour with the Admiral's Men, and his known roles in Marlowe's plays (as well as his playing Henry VI by Shakespeare) are mentioned in the dialogue of the film. He is depicted as advising Shakespeare to change the name to "Romeo & Juliet" to suit the focus of the play.
Read more about this topic: Edward Alleyn
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