Event Comment: Benefit for James Sturgis Adams (a Person in Distress) (Cross). Gave Xmas Box to Duke's Servts #1 1s. (Treasurer's Book). Tickets for Boxes to be had at the following Coffee Houses, St. James, St. James's St; Somerset in the Strand; Grigsby's behind the Royal Exchange; and the Union, Cornhill. Receipts: #205 (Cross); charges, #80 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs James and Miss Haughton. Tickets of Miss Haughton at a Grocer's, the corner of Broad Court, Bow St., Covent Garden, and of Mrs James at Mr Dale's Watch-maker in Little Wild St., and at the Stage Door. Receipts: #170 (Cross)

Event Comment: Receipts: #200 7s. 6d. (Account Book). Mainpiece: With New Dresses and Decorations. [The first of a series of five performances (the last, Merchant of Venice, 18 Nov.) which got Macklin dismissed from the theatre until 1775, when his lawsuit against six persons whom he claimed formed a conspiracy to hiss him from the stage and ruin his livlihood was concluded favorably for him. His performance of Macbeth was favorably treated but with certain misgivings in the Morning Chronicle (25 Oct.), but he was mercilessly criticized in the London Evening Post and St James Chronicle: "In Act II, Sc. i, Shakespeare has made Macbeth murder Duncan; Now Mr Macklin, being determined to copy from no man, reversed this incident, and in the very first act, scene the second, murdered Macbeth." The favorable review (Morning Chronicle) thought he did well in first and last acts, but gave way to stage rant and "vehemence of energetic expression" wanting any variation in tone in between. It also pointed out a certain faulty memory of his lines. His novel stage effects came in for a paragraph of comment: The alterations in the jeux de theatre respecting the representation of this tragedy do Mr Macklin great credit. His change of the scenery is peculiarly characteristical. The Quadrangle of Macbeth's castle, and the door which is supposed to lead to Duncan's apartment (both of which are entirely new) are additions of consequence to the exhibition of the play. The door also through which Macbeth comes to the Weird Sisters, in the 4th act, is a better and more probable entrance than through the common stage portal. The dresses are new, elegant, and of a sort hitherto unknown to a London audience, but exceedingly proper. The Banquet was superbly set out, and it must be confessed that the managers seem to have spared neither cost nor assiduity to ornament and add to the effect of the representation." A favorable letter from a correspondent to the London Evening Post adds: "I must observe, Mr Printer, that from the graceful and characteristic manner in which Macbeth was introduced by the martial music and military procession, from the manner of M. Macklin's acting, from his judicious alteration of the dresses, the disposition of the scene where the King is killed, the cave of the witches in the 4th act, from the improvement of Mrs Hartley's thinking in Lady Macbeth and from her manner of speaking, which seemed plainly to be the effects of some intelligence she had received from Mr Macklin...I thought Mr Macklin deserv'd great praise." See the newspaper comments all gathered and reprinted in an Apology for the Conduct of Charles Macklin, (London, 1773). See also note to 30 Oct. See also London Chronicle, Oct. 23-26 (cf. Odell, I, 453). The Westminster Magazine suggests the performance was pitiable. "Macklin knew what he ought to do, but could not do it." The Scenemen's pay this week was about double the normal cost. (Account Book).] Verse Squibs from St James Chronicle (Oct. 1773) against Macklin: @Macbeth@"Eight Kings appear and pass over in order, and Banquo the last"@Old Quin, ere Fate suppressed his lab'ring breath@In studied accents grumbled out Macbeth:--@Next Garrick came, whose utt'rance truth impressed,@While ev'ry look the tyrant's guilt confess'd:--@Then the cold Sheridan half froze the part,@Yet what he lost by nature sav'd by art.@Tall Barry now advanc'd toward Birnam Woodv@Nor ill performed the scenes--he understood--@Grave Mossop next to Foris shaped his march@His words were minute guns, his action starch.@Rough Holland too--but pass his errors o'er@Nor blame the actor when the man's no more.@Then heavy Ross, assay'd the tragic frown,@But beef and pudding kept all meaning down:--@Next careless Smith, try'd on the Murd'rer's mask,@While o'er his tongue light tripp'd the hurried task:--@Hard Macklin, late, guilt's feelings strove to speak,@While sweats infernal drench'd his iron cheek;@Like Fielding's Kings [in Tom Thumb] his fancy'd triumphs past,@And all be boasts is, that he falls the last.@ Also from St James Chronicle:@The Witches, while living deluded Macbeth@And the Devil laid hold of his soul after death;@But to punish the Tyrant this would not content him,@So Macklin he sent on the stage to present him.

Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the premiere is not known, but as the play was licensed to be published, 21 May 1688, it was probably first acted early in April 1688, perhaps in late March. In 1688, also was separately printed New Songs Sung in The Fool's Preferment: In I, I sigh'd and pin'd and There's nothing so fatal as Woman, the music composed by Henry Purcell. In III, Fled is my love, the music composed by Henry Purcell, and sung by Mountfort. 'Tis death alone and I'le mount to yon blue coelum, the music composed by Henry Purcell. In IV, I'le sail upon the Dog-star, and A Dialogue by Jockey and Jenny, Jenny, gin you can love, the composer not stated. In V, If thou wilt give me back my love, composed by Henry Purcell and sung by Mountfort. See also Purcell's Works, The Purcell Society, XX (1916), iv-vi. When this play was revived at Drury Lane on 16 July 1703, the bill was headed: Not Acted these Fifteen Years

Event Comment: The United Company. This performance is indicated in the Newdigate newsletters, 11 Jan. 1693@4: On Tuesday the Prince of Baden dyned with ye D of Linster and yesterday his Highness saw the new Opera called Diaclessia acted at the Ks play house (Wilson, More Theatre Notes from the Newdigate Newsletters, p. 59). There is, however, some uncertainty about this performance. In the first place, Dioclesian was not a new play, although new songs frequently appeared in it. In the second place, Dryden's new play, Love Triumphant, was ready for its premiere about this time, and the compiler of the Newdigate newsletters might have been mistaken in identifying the play. Yet the certain performance of The Double Dealer on 13 Jan. 1693@4 would be an awkward interruption of the initial run of Love Triumphant if it were the new play the Newdigate newsletters refer to. It seems likely, then, that Love Triumphant did not make its first appearance until mid-January. In Thesaurus Musicus, 1694, is a new song in The Prophetess, Act III, When first I saw the bright Aurelia's eyes, set by Henry Purcell and sung by Mrs Ayliff. It is also in Joyful Cuckoldom 1695. In the latter compilation are three other songs for this play: Since from my dear, sung by Mrs Hudson "in the Prophetess, as it is newly reviv'd," set by Henry Purcell; Let monarchs fight, the words by Thomas Betterton, the music by Henry Purcell, and sung by Freeman; Let ye soldiers, the words by Thomas Betterton, set by Henry Purcell, and sung by Freeman

Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but the Gentleman's Journal, June 1694 (apparently appearing in late June) indicated that both parts of Don Quixote had by then appeared, and the Songs to Part I were announced in the London Gazette, No. 2983, 11-14 June 1694, to be published on 16 June 1694. Very likely Part I appeared in May 1694. The publication of The Songs in the New Play of Don Quixote, Part the First lists the following pieces. Sing, sing, all ye muses, the first song in Act II, composed by Henry Purcell. Young Chrysostome had vertue, sense, the second song in Act II, was composed by John Eccles. The third song in Act II, Sleep, poor youth, was composedy John Eccles. When the world first knew creation, sung in Act III, was composed by Henry Purcell. Let the dreadful engines, sung for Cardenio in Act IV, was set by Henry Purcell. 'Twas early one morning, in Act IV, for Sancho, was set by John Eccles. With this, this sacred charming wand, in Act V for Montesmo, Mellissa and Urganda, was set by Henry Purcell

Event Comment: On this day a quarrel occurred at lif between Henry Killigrew and George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, but the play is not named in the various accounts of the affair. For details, see HMC, 12th Report, Part VII, p. 51; and Carl Niemeyer, "Henry Killigrew and the Duke of Buckingham", Review of English Studies, XII (1936), 326-28. Pepys, Diary: 22 July: Creed tells me of the fray between the Duke of Buckingham at the Duke's playhouse the last Saturday (and it is the first day I have heard that they have acted at either the King's or Duke's house this month or six weeks) and Henry Killigrew, whom the Duke of Buckingham did soundly beat and take away his sword, and make a fool of, till the fellow prayed him to spare his life; and I am glad of it; for it seems in this business the Duke of Buckingham did carry nimself very innocently and well

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 production is not known, but Part II seems to have followed rather closely upon Part I. The Gentleman's Journal, June 1694 (which apparently appeared in mid-June) states: The first Part of Mr Durfey's Don Quixote was so well received, that we have had a second Part of that Comical History acted lately, which doubtless must be thought as entertaining as the first; since in this hot season it could bring such a numerous audience (p. 170). The Songs were advertised in the London Gazette, 5 July 1694, and Part II advertised in the same periodical 19-23 July 1694. The songs as listed in the separately printed Songs are as follows: Genius of England, the music by Henry Purcell, sung by Freeman and Mrs Cibber. I burn, I burn, the music by John Eccles, sung by Mrs Bracegirdle. Since times are so bad, the music by Henry Purcell, sung by Reading and Mrs Ayliff. Damon, let a friend, the music by Pack, sung by Mrs Hudson. Ye nymphs and sylvan gods, the music by John Eccles sung by Mrs Ayliff. If you will love me, composer and singer not named. In addition, Thesaurus Musicus, 1695, published Lads and lasses, blithe and gay, the music by Henry Purcell, sung by Mrs Hudson. Purcell also wrote the music for other songs for which the singer is not known. Preface, edition of 1694: The good success, which both the Parts of Don Quixote have had, either from their Natural Merit, or the Indulgence of my Friends, or both, ought sufficiently to satisfie me, that I have no reason to value tne little Malice of some weak Heads, that make it their business to be simply Criticizing....I think I have given some additional Diversion in the Continuance of the character of Marcella, which is wholly new in this Part, and my own Invention, the design finishing with more pleasure to the Audience by punishing that coy Creature by an extravagant Passion here, that was so inexorable and cruel in the first Part, and ending with a Song so incomparably well sung, and acted by Mrs Bracegirdle, that the most envious do allow, as well as the most ingenious affirm, that 'tis the best of that kind ever done before....I deserve some acknowledgment for drawing that Character of Mary the Buxom, which was intirely my own,...by making the Character humorous, and the extraordinary well acting of Mrs Verbruggen, it is by the best Judges allowed a Masterpiece of humour

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first production is not known, but the fact that it was advertised in the London Gazette, No. 3122, 10-14 Oct. 1695, indicates that it was probably acted not later than September 1695. Three songs were published separately: O how you protest, possibly set by Henry Purcell and sung by Mrs Knight; 'Twas within a Furlong, the words by Thomas D'Urfey, set by Henry Purcell, and sung by the Girl [Miss Cross]; and Man is for the woman made, the words by Pierre Motteux and set by Henry Purcell, are in Deliciae Musicae, The Third Book, 1696. See also Purcell's Works, Purcell Society, XX (1916), xix-xx. Preface, Edition of 1696: Notwithstanding the many Accidents that concurr'd to the Ruin of this Play, it succeeded above my Expectations: And I must own my self infinitely oblig'd to the Town, in receiving so favourably, what I at first never design'd for the Stage. Gildon, English Dramatick Poets, p. 121: This particular Play met with pretty good Success, for the Season of the Year, considering it the first Essay by a Young Writer, unacquainted with the Town. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 18: Sullen: Mock-Marriage, a young Fellows of the Town, a Retainer, and kind of Pensioner to the Stage. Ramble: What was it's Fate? Sullen: Damn'd, Damn'd

Event Comment: A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), commenting upon Betterton's success with I Henry IV (see 9 Jan. 1699@1700) pictures Betterton entering his Closet and praying to Shakespeare for further assistance (p. 25), with the result that "tho' some of those Plays that Batterton Acted were Historical, and consequently highly irregular, yet they never fail'd to please" (p. 26). Sullen adds: Well, this lucky hit of Batterton's put D. Lane in a non-plus! Shakespear's Ghost was rais'd at the New-house, and he seem'd to inhabit it for ever: What's to be done then? Oh, says Rich I'll pray as well as he-What? Shall a Heathen Player have more Religion than a Lawyer? No, it shall never be said--with that Mr R@@ goes up to the Garret (a pair of Stairs higher than his own Apartment) and taking Ben Johnson's Picture with him, he implores. This work implies that Betterton presented Henry VIII in addition to I Henry IV and that Rich revived Volpone, The Alchymist, and The Silent Woman, which had, according to the author of this work, lain unacted for twenty years (p. 26)

Event Comment: Afterpiece: By Desire. [Gentleman who played Axalla tentatively suggested as a son of Henry Carey who played Henry IV in 2 Henry IV 27 April 1773 (Winston MS 10). He had been on the playroll since the first of this season at 5s. per night.] Receipts: #160 9s. (Account Book)