William Kemp

Kemp was already well known as a performer of jigs and jests when he joined the Chamberlain's Men in 1594. He played roles in "Much Ado about Nothing" and "Romeo and Juliet" and was one of the first shareholders in the new Globe theatre.

He left the Chamberlain's Men and sold his shares around 1599. He is most remembered for his nine-day dance to Norwich – which actually took a month, comprising of nine days of dancing and innumerable rest breaks in between.