The Queen's Theatre, Barnstaple assumed its current form in 1993, but the history of theatre in Barnstaple can be traced back to at least 1435, when Minstrels, Players, Jugglers and Buffoons were an established feature of Barnstaple's annual fair. Documents indicate that in 1605 a touring troupe, the King's Players visited, and it is believed that William Shakespeare was one of their members.