Discusses the origins of English-speaking theater and includes facts about seven early Elizabethan playwrights, including William Shakespeare.

Birth of the English-speaking theater -- "On Your Imaginary Forces Work" : the Elizabethan theater -- The courtly dreamer : John Lyly -- Father of the revenge tragedy : Thomas Kyd -- Poet of pageant and drama : George Peele -- A man at war within himself : Robert Greene -- Risk-taker and mystery-maker : Christopher Marlowe -- A playwright for all time : William Shakespeare -- Shrewd critic of human follies : Ben Jonson.