I know of only one definite case of role doubling in early English
drama, and it is a rather late example. In 1584 the Coventry Smiths
guild was responsible for a segment of the city's newly composed
play on the siege and destruction of Jerusalem. The surviving
guild records show that several members were paid various amounts for
playing two, three, or even four separate roles in the same pageant.
Curiously enough, the same records indicate that the Smiths also
practiced "role halving," that is to say, a single role was sometimes
parcelled out among several actors. There are probably other
examples buried deep in the REED volumes, but this is the only
one that comes to mind.
--Steve Wright
WRIGHTS@CUAVAX
