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Why did Shakespeare’s acting company tour outside London?

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William Shakespeare *William Shakespeare*, detail of an oil painting attributed to John Taylor, c. 1610. The portrait is called the “Chandos Shakespeare” because it once belonged to the duke of Chandos.

Shakespeare’s acting company, the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, toured outside London primarily during times of plague, when theaters in the city were closed by authorities to prevent the spread of infection.123

Additionally, in the early history of professional theater, companies were often obliged to tour because neither the court nor the city could consistently employ full-time professionals. During these provincial tours, the actors performed in various settings, such as village greens, chapels, halls, and outdoor platforms, relying on their costumes and a flexible repertoire of plays to entertain audiences.4