Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but the play was noticed in the Gentleman's Journal, April 1692 (licensed 13 April 1692) as having been acted "last month" (March). It was entered in the Term Catalogues, May 1692. Gentleman's Journal, April 1692 (licensed 13 April 1692): The Traytor, an old Tragedy, hath not only been revived the last Month, but also been reprinted with Alterations and Amendments; It was suppos'd to be Shirly's, but he only usher'd it in to the Stage; the Author of it was one Mr Rivers a Jesuite, who wrote it in his Confinement in Newgate, where he died. It hath always been esteemed a very good Play, by the best Judges of Dramatick Writing

Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the first performance is not certain, but the play was acted soon after Shadwell's death in November 1692. Gentleman's Journal, November 1692: We have lately lost Thomas Shadwell Esquire....The Comedy which, as I told you, he design'd for the Stage, was acted since his decease: 'Tis call'd the Volunteers; and though that Orphan wanted its Parent to support it, yet it came off with reasonable success. [When this play was revived at Drury Lane 27 July 1711, the bill bore the heading: Not acted these Twenty Years.

Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but it had been acted by the time the January 1692@3 issue of the Gentleman's Journal appeared in March (on page 1 of that issue, the editor states that We are now in March): Mr Southerne's New Comedy, call'd, The Maid's last Prayer, or Any rather than fail, was acted the 3d time this evening, and is to be acted again to morrow. It discovers much knowledge of the Town in its Author; and its Wit and purity of Diction are particularly commended (p. 28). The first song in the play, Tho you make no return to my passion, composed by Henry Purcell, was sung, according to the printed play, by Mrs Hodgson; by Mrs Dyer, according to Thesaurus Musicus, First Book, 1693. The second song, composed by Samuel? Akeroyd, was sung by Mrs Ayliff (Thesaurus Musicus, The First Book, 1693). Another song, No, no, no, no, resistance is but vain, written by Anthony Henley, composed by Henry Purcell, and sung by Mrs Ayliff and Mrs Hodgson, Act IV, is in Purcell's Works, Purcell Society, XX (1916), xiv-xv. A song, Tell me no more I am deceiv'd, written by William Congreve, set by Henry Purcell, and sung by Mrs Ayliff, is in Works, XX (1916), xv-xvi. According to the London Gazette, No. 2852, 9-13 March 1692@3, the play was published "this day" (13 March 1692@3)

Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the first performance is not precisely known, but the Gentleman's Journal, April 1693 (issued in May) states that it followed D'Urfey's comedy: And since that [The Richmond Heiress] another by Mr George Powell, call'd, a very good Wife, which hath already been acted five times (p. 130). It is likely that Powell's comedy first appeared late in April or very early in May. Dedication, Edition of 1693: The unexpected Success of this Play. A Comparison between the Two Stages (p. 16): Ramble: The next? Sullen: A very good Wife. Ramble: That's almost a Solaecism: whose is't? Sullen: Oh an excellent Author's! one George Powell's, the Player. Ramble. What was it's Fate? Sullen: Damn'd, damn'd, as it deserv'd

Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but Dryden, on 12 Dec. 1693, reported that it had then been acted eight times. If these performances were consecutive, the premiere probably occurred in November; but the fact that the play was advertised in the London Gazette, 4-7 Dec. 1693, suggests tnat the premiere was near the end of October or early in November. Henry Purcell composed the overture and act tunes. See Purcell's Works, Purcell Society, XVI (1906), xxxi. Two of the songs whose music he composed are in Thesaurus Musicus, 1694: Cynthia frowns when e're I woo her, sung by Mrs Ayliff; and Ancient Phillis has young Graces, sung by Bowman. See also 12 Dec. 1693 and 22 March 1692@3

Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the first performance is not precisely known, but it seems likely to have been in mid-January. See the discussion under 10 Jan. 1693@4 and Evelyn's remarks on 11 Jan. 1693@4. Part of the music for the play was composed by John Eccles: Young I am and yet unskill'd, sung by a girl, in Gentleman's Journal, January@February 1693@4, and Thesaurus Musicus, 1694: What state of life can be so blest, -Mrs Hudson, in Thesaurus Musicus, 1694. One song was set by Henry Purcell, How happy's the husband, the words by Congreve and sung by Mrs Ayliff, in Thesaurus Musicus, 1694: see also Purcell's Works, Purcell Society, XX (1916), xiii-xiv

Event Comment: Benefit the Baroness. Tickets 5s. At 7 p.m

Event Comment: Benefit Miss Raftor. At the desire of several Persons of Quality. Afterpiece: A Farce of one Act. [By Henry Fielding. Apparently not published.

Event Comment: Benefit the Author of the opera. Afterpiece: A new Serio-Comi-Farcical-Elysian Ballad Opera of Two Acts. [Author unknown. Apparently not printed.]

Event Comment: Not Acted [there] these Twenty-Five Years. Written by Mr Lee. All the Principal Characters New Dress'd. And proper Musick, Scenes, and Decorations. Admission: 5s., 3s., 2s., 1s. [For a discussion of theatrical affairs, see Daily Journal, 22 Nov.

Event Comment: For the Benefit and Increase of a Fund establish'd for the Support of decay'd Musicians and their Families. [Prices as usual.

Event Comment: Benefit for Ross. Upon Account of the Triumphal Entry there will be no building on the stage. Receipts: #65 15s. 6d. plus tickets #84 9s. (boxes 228; Pit 183). Charges #63 (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Tenducci. By Particular Desire. Upper Gallery 3s. 6d. The House will be doubly Illuminated for the Upper Boxes and Upper Gallery to read their Books. Books of the opera to be had at the Theatre. Nor will any Pit Tickets be admitted into the Gallery

Event Comment: Benefit for Charles Sarjant (book-keeper) and his Son (box-keeper). Tickets sold at doors not admitted. Afterpiece: For last time this season. Charges #89 6d. [Deficit to the Sarjants #11 16s., covered by income from tickets of #142 8s. (Box 346; Pit 260; Gallery 169).] Paid the Billsetters for Black Bills #4 10s. (Account Book). Receipts: #77 4s. 6d. (Account Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Tenducci. By Authority and at the particular desire of Several Persons of Distinction. Boxes Half a Guinea. Pit 5s. First Gallery 3s. Upper Gallery 2s. To begin at 6 p.m

Event Comment: Mr Lacy appear'd for the 1st time in Oroonoko very tolerable he met with applause (Hopkins Diary). Rec'd of Mr Reddish on Acct #100. Receipts: #164 13s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: No Money to be returned. Books of the Performance to be had at the Theatre. Places for the Boxes to be taken of Fosbrook, at the Theatre. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. 2nd Gallery 1s. The Doors to be opened a 5:30. To begin at 6:30 [same throughout oratorio season]. [Master Clement was from the Imperial Opera House, Vienna.

Event Comment: 1st piece [1st time; T 4, by Edward Jerningham. Prologue and Epilogue by the author (see text)): With new Scenery, Dresses and Decorations. Times, 24 Dec. 1793: This day is published THE SIEGE OF BERWICK (1s. 6d.). Receipts: #284 6s. 6d. (258/10/6; 25/16/0)