Saints and clowns went to slums and court.

The kind of plays performed in the Middle Ages were 'miracle plays' based on the Bible. People in guilds became actors, and those who had a good reputation made tours to different places. Professional actors and performances only appeared around the time of Queen Elizabeth, who was enthroned in 1558.
Among the troupes which performed in the palace, Aristocrats selected favourite actors and became their patrons.
There were such troupes as "The Minister of the Navy troupe", and Shakespeare's "The Imperial Household troupe".

This is "Hamlet" by Edmond Keen. (1814)