Rival companies
After the great plague of 1592-1594, two companies emerged as leaders: The Lord Admiral's Men, led by actor Edward Alleyn, and the Lord Chamberlain's Men, with Richard Burbage as principal actor, and Shakespeare as principal playwright.
The two companies maintained a rivalry, competing for London and court audiences, but by the end of Elizabeth's reign the Chamberlain's Men had become dominant, acquiring royal patronage in 1603 as the King's Men.