Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the premiere is not known, but the fact that the play was advertised in the Post Boy, 12-16 Dec. 1695, suggests that it was probably first acted not later than November 1695. The edition of 1696 mentions two songs and their performers: A lass there lives upon the green, the words by an unknown hand, set by Courteville, and sung by the Boy to Miss Cross; and Bright Cynthia's pow'r divinely great, words by Mr Cheek, set by Courtevill, sung by Leveridge. These two songs are also in Deliciae Musicae, The Fourth Book, 1696, as is a third, Celemene, pray tell me, set by Henry Purcell and sung by the Boy and Girl. The words were written by D'Urfey; and the Boy presumably was Bowen, and the Girl, Miss Cross. See Purcell's Works, Purcell Society, XXI (1917), v-vi. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 19: Sullen: Oronooko. Ramble: Oh! the Favourite of the Ladies. Sullen: It had indeed uncommon Success, and the Quality of both Sexes were very kind to the Play, and to the Poet: No doubt it has Merit, particularly the last Scene; but 'tis as certain, that the Comick Part is below that Author's usual Genius. Ramble: I have a particular regard for Mr Southern's Stile and agreeable Manner; there's a Spirit of Conversation in every thing he writes. Sullen: I think very few exceed him in the Dialogue; his Gallantry is natural, and after the real manner of the Town; his acquaintance with the best Company entered him into the secrets of their Intrigues, and no Man knew better the Way and Disposition of Mankind. But yet I must say, his Diction is commonly the best part of him, especially in Comedy; but in Tragedy he has once in this, and in one other, Drawn the Passions very well

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but the fact that the play was advertised in the Post Boy, 9-12 May 1696, suggests that it was first acted not later than April 1696. It may, however, have been first performed sometime earlier, for two songs for it were set by Henry Purcell, who had died in November 1695. See Purcell's Works, Purcell Society, XXI (1917), vi-vii. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 18: Pausanias, or Lover of his Country, Damn'd, tho writ by a person of Quality, and protected by Southern. One song, My dearest, my fairest, is a dialogue between Mr Cooke and Mrs Hodgson

Event Comment: London Gazette, No. 3266, 25 Feb.-1 March 1696@7: The Consort of Musick, which was perform'd last Wednesday in York-Buildings, will be perform'd again on Wednesday next being the 3 instant, with several Additions of Dr Blow, and Mr Henry Purcell's Musick

Event Comment: Betterton's Company. James Brydges, Diary: To ye playhouse in Lincolns inn fields, where I met Lds Henry Cavendish, Grey of Ruthia, & Abergavenny (Huntington MS St 26)

Event Comment: Post Boy, 29-31 March 1698: To morrow being the First of April, in Paul's Alley, near St. Paul's Church-Yard, at Clark's School, will be perform'd a new Consort of Vocal and Instrumental Musick, compos'd by Mr Henry Simsons, beginning at Seven of the Clock exactly. Price of coming in 2s. 6d

Event Comment: Rich's Company. Lady Morley attended this performance: Lady Morley and two in the Box at Caius Marius. 12s. See Hotson, Commonwealth and Restoration Stage, p. 378. On this night occurred a quarrel between Henry Arthur and one Barry of the playhouses. See Post Boy, 11-14 Nov. 1699, and other news accounts during November 1699

Event Comment: Villiers Bathurst to Arthur Charlett, 28 Jan. 1699@1700: The Wits of all qualities have lately entertained themselves with a reviv 6: went to ye play. I staid there a quarter of an hour (Huntington MS St 26). The Wits of all qualities have lately entertained themselves with a revived humour of Sir John Falstaff in Henry the Fourth, which has drawn all the town, more than any new play that has bin produced of late; which shews that Shakespeare's wit will always last: and the criticks allow that Mr Betterton has hitt the humour of Falstaff better than any that have aimed at it before (G. Thorn-Drury, More Seventeenth Century Allusions to Shakespeare, [London, 1924], p. 48)

Event Comment: Betterton's Company. The date of the first production is not known, but the Prologue refers to "this Winter," suggesting a date before March 1700. A song, Ah Belinda I am pressed, in this play, appeared in Orpheus Britannica, 1698, the music by Henry Purcell, who had died some years before its appearance in this collection. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), pp. 26-27, referring to the rivalry between lif and dl in reviving Shakespeare and Jonson: The Battel continued a long time doubtful, and Victory hovering over both Camps, Batterton Sollicts for some Auxiliaries from the same Author, and then he flanks his Enemy with Measure for Measure

Event Comment: Betterton's Company. James Brydges, Diary: About 6: he [Brydges' brother Henry] set me down at y- Playhouse in Lincolns inn fields, where I met Me Coke, Mr Hammond, & Sir Godfrey Coply: about 8: I came home (Huntington MS St 26)

Event Comment: Benefit Pinkeman. Common Prices. All Persons that come behind the Scenes are desired to pay their Money to none but Mr Pinkeman. [This benefit had originally been advertised for 24 Oct. but deferred, the offerings for that day being a medley of The Death of King Henry VI, a Tragical Interlude of one Act only; Aesop, "several select Scenes" only; and The School-Boy; or, The Comical Rivals.

Event Comment: A masque of music composed by Henry Purcell. Benefit Mrs Lucas. Mainpiece: Revis'd with large Alterations

Event Comment: Benefit Cibber. Not Acted these Three Years. At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Mainpiece: With the Famous Battle of Bosworth Fieldv, between him and the Earl of Richmond, afterwards King Henry the Seventh. Written Originally by Shakespear, who in the true and lively Character of Richard, has shewn his most Masterly Strokes of Nature

Event Comment: Benefit Wilks. Not acted these Twenty Years. [A revision by Henry Norris of the Beaumont and Fletcher Beggar's Bush.

Event Comment: Mainp1ece; With the Original Musick. Afterpiece: A masque by Henry Purcel

Event Comment: Written by Sir George Etherige. [In Daily Courant, 17 Nov., I Henry IV had been announced for this day.

Event Comment: [In Daily Courant, 13 Nov., I Henry IV had been announced for this day.

Event Comment: Not Acted these Three Years. At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Containing the Distresses and Deathv of King Henry the Sixth; the Murther of Young King Edward the Fifth, and his Brother, in the Tower; with the Landingv of the Earl of Richmond, and the Memorable Battle of Bosworth Fieldv, being the last that was fought between the Houses of York and Lancaster

Event Comment: Containing the Distresses and Death of King Henry the Sixth; the Murther of Young King Edward the Fifth, and his Brother, in the Tower; with the Landing of the Earl of Richmond, and the Memorable Battle of Bosworth Fieldv, being the last that was fought between the Houses of York and Lancaster

Event Comment: Benefit Henry Rich, Pit Officekeeper. At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Tickets for the New Medley will be taken. Receipts: #124 1s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit Henry Rich, Pit Officekeeper. At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Receipts: money #24 14s. and tickets #55 13s

Event Comment: Benefit Husband. With all the Original Musick, Scenes, Machines, Habits and Dances proper to the Play. N.B. That Night (only) the Front of the Gallery will be adorn'd with the Original Pictures of several of our most celebrated Poetsv, particularly those who have been most excellent in the Dramatick Way, as Shakespear, Ben. Johnson, Fletcher, Dryden, &c. together with that of our English Orpheus, the late Mr Henry Purcell. Receipts: money #52 9s.; tickets #43 16s. See also The Censor, No. 73 (9 April) and No. 75 (13 April)

Event Comment: Benefit Henry Rich, Pit Officekeeper. Receipts: money #15 4s. 6d.; tickets #43 2s

Event Comment: Benefit Bickerstaff, who has not been able to wait on his Friends, by reason of his being lame. By Command. Tickets for Henry VIII taken. Original Weekly Journal, 25 April: His Majesty was to have come to Drury Lane... but was prevented by the arrival of some important Dispatches from abroad

Event Comment: Afterpiece: [By Henry Carey.] A new Farce on one Act. Benefit Quin. Receipts: money #67 12s.; tickets #73 19s