Event Comment: Evelyn, Diary: [I] saw the Italian Scaramucchio act before the King at White-hall; People giving monye to come in, which was very Scandalous, & never so before at Court Diversions: having seene him act before in Italy many years past, I was not averse from seeing the most excellent of that kind of folly

Event Comment: Lady Anne Howe to the Countess of Rutland, [18 Dec. 1681]: I have seene but one play since I came, but I must goe to one to see [the Russian Ambassador] sure he cannot live long, for he makes noe thing of a pint of brandie at a draught with a spoonful of white pepper in it (HMC, Rutland MSS., Report XII, Appendix, Part V, p. 63)

Event Comment: Evelyn, Diary: I was to heare the Musique of the Italians in the new chapel, now first of all opened at White-hall publiquely for the Popish Service

Event Comment: The United Company. On 23 April 1689 Luttrell purchased a copy of the Prologue. The broadside copy, with Luttrell's date of acquisition, is in the possession of Mr Louis Silver, Wilmette, Illinois, to whose courtesy I am indebted for permission to use this date. When the Prologue, which is reprinted in Wiley, Rare Prologues and Epilogues, pp. 271-72, appeared in The Fourth and Last Volume of the Works of Mr Tho. Brown (1719), the Prologue has the title: Jo. Haines in Penance; Or, his Recantation-Prologue, at his acting of Poet Bays in the Duke of Buckingham's Play call'd The Rehearsal. Spoken in a white Sheet, with a burning Taper in his Hand, upon his Admittance in to the House after his Return from the Church of Rome. In the Preface to his play, The Fatal Mistake (1691-92), Haines stated: In troth I have Acted Mr Bays so often, and so feelingly, that I could not possibly forbear copying after so fair an Original

Event Comment: Luttrell, A Brief Relation, IV, 376, 5 May 1698: The lord Monmouth moved the house against the impudence of the actors at the playhouses, upon Powell s wounding a gentleman; and the lords with the white staves are to desire his majestie that none of the players wear swords

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first production is not known, but the Prologue to the Second Part [1699] refers to warm weather and to May Fair. The Songs to both parts were advertised in the Post Boy, 24-27 June 1699, suggesting a first production not later than the end of May 1699. The following among the songs for Part I list the singer or composer or both: From azure plains, sung by Pate, in A Second Collection of New Songs and Ballads (1699). How comes it now good Mrs Spratt, sung by Pate and Leveridge (ibid.). Of all the world's enjoyments, sung by Leveridge (ibid.). Whilst wretched fools sneak up and down, composed by Daniel Purcell and sung by Leveridge and Pate (ibid.). Young Philander wooed me long, composed by Daniel Purcell (ibid.). For Part II: The devil he pulled off his jacket of flame, composed by Samuel Ackroyde (ibid.). He led her by the milk-white hand, composed by Samuel Ackroyde (ibid.)

Event Comment: [[By William Congreve. Premiere.] Congreve wrote on 26 March: I wished particularly for you on Friday last, when Eccles his music for the prize was performed in Dorset Garden, and universally admired. Mr Finger's is to be to-morrow; and Russel and Weldon's follow in their turn....The number of performers, besides the verse-singers, was 85. The front of the stage was all built into a concave with deal boards; all which was faced with tin, to increase and throw forwards the sound. It was all hung with sconces of wax-candles, besides the common branches of lights usual in the playhouses. The boxes and pit were all thrown into one; so that all sat in common; and the whole was crammed with beauties and beaux, not one scrub being admitted. The place where formerly the music used to play, between the pit and the stage, was turned into White's chocolate-housev....Our friend Venus performed to a miracle; so did Mrs Hodgson Juno. Mrs Boman was not quite so well approved in Pallas.-Congreve to Keally, in Congreve, I, 71-72

Event Comment: Between 7 and 8 p.m. Tickets 5s. The White Head is near the Pall-Mall, facing the Hay-Market

Event Comment: Benefit Lovelace, King, and White (boxkeepers)

Event Comment: Benefit Lovelace and White, boxkeepers. At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. [The Prologue was printed in 1710.

Event Comment: Benefit Cuthbert, Lovelace, and White. At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Tickets 5s. At 6 p.m

Event Comment: Benefit Lovelace and White, boxkeepers. At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Receipts: #122 15s

Event Comment: Benefit Lovelace and White, Boxkeepers. At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Receipts: money #7 8s. 6d. and tickets #56 9s

Event Comment: Benefit White (Boxkeeper). Receipts: money #8 15s.; tickets #78 12s

Event Comment: Benefit White and Wilmer, Boxkeepers

Event Comment: Benefit White, the Boxkeeper

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs White, Mrs Carter, Mrs Hanson, Mrs Pack. Tickets for Sir Walter Raleigh taken

Event Comment: At Mr Penkethman's and Mr Miller's Booth, at the Horns-Inn at Pye Corner, entering into Smithfield. A Celebrated Droll, Shewing the Pomp and Grandeur she lived in King Edward the IVth's Time, and the Misery she fell into upon Richard Duke of Gloucester's being made Protector. How she was oblig'd to do Penance in a white Sheet, carrying a lighted Torch bare Foot thro' the City, and then turn'd out to Starve; as also how she wandering met with her Husband, and the Tragick End of them Both. With the comical and diverting Humours of Sir Anthony Noodle, a foolish Courtier, and his Man Weezel

Event Comment: Benefit White and Wilmer, Boxkeepers

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs White, the Box-Keeper's Widow. Receipts: money #6 10s.; tickets #68 1s

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs White, the Boxkeeper's Widow. At the particular Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Written by Mr Congreve. Receipts: money #9 19s. 6d.; tickets #54 13s

Event Comment: Benefit Rowland and the Widow White. Receipts: money #8 7s. 6d.; tickets #111 3s

Event Comment: Benefit Walford and Widow White. At the particular Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Receipts: money #6 19s. 6d.; tickets #99 3s

Event Comment: Benefit Willcocks, White, Mrs Hollyday, Miss Smythies. Receipts: money #14 5s.; tickets #156 16s

Event Comment: Benefit Laurence, Boxkeeper, and Widow White. Receipts: money #18 6s. 6d.; tickets #113 17s