Riots? LOL! I can just see it - they got upset that Helena ended up with Demetrios instead Lysander. Or Melcucia (Romeo's friend) was killed when he was the best character. Or that Shakespeare killed Romeo and Juliet.

Of course the plays were shown live in the theater - and the writer was usually right there. Easy access. He did have to avoid certain political issues or risk getting beheaded...so chose to go back in time or discuss Roman politics instead.