Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but Luttrell's copy (Huntington Library) of the play bears the date of acquisition 3 June [1690, apparently], and the play was advertised in the London Gazette, No 2566, 12-16 June 1690. See Fredson Bowers, A Bibliographical History of the Fletcher-Betterton Play, The Prophetess, 1690, The Library, 5th Series, XVI (1961), 169-75. It seems likely that the opera was first given early in June 1690. An edition of The Vocal and Instrumental Musick of The Prophetess appeared in 1691. See Works of Henry Purcell, Purcell Society, IX. Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, p. 42): The Prophetess, or Dioclesian an Opera, Wrote by Mr Betterton; being set out with Coastly Scenes, Machines and Cloaths: The Vocal and Instrumental Musick, done by Mr Purcel; and Dances by Mr Priest; it gratify'd the Expectation of Court and City; and got the Author great Reputation. [See also R. E. Moore, Henry Purcell and the Restoration Theater (Cambridge, Mass., 1961), Chapter V; and E. W. White, Early Theatrical Performances of Purcell's Operas, Theatre Notebook, XIII (1958-59), 44.] The Muses' Mercury (January 1707, pp. 4-5): This prologue was forbidden to be spoken the second Night of the Representation of the Prophetess. Mrs Shadwell was the occasion of its being taken notice of by the Ministry in the last Reign: He happen'd to be at the House on the first Night, and taking the beginning of the Prologue to have a double meaning, and that Meaning to reflect on the Revolution, he told a Gentleman, He would immediately Put a stop to it. When that Gentleman ask'd, Why he wou'd do the Author such a Disservice? He said, Because while Mr Dryden was Poet Laureat, he wou'd never let any Play of his be Acted. Mr Shadwell informed the Secretary of State of it, and representing it in its worst Colours, the Prologue was never Spoken afterwards, and is not printed in Mr Dryden's Works, or his Miscellanies. Cibber, Apology (ed. Lowe, II, 13-14): A Prologue (by Dryden) to the Prophetess was forbid by the Lord Dorset after the first War in Ireland. It must be confess'd that this Prologue had some familiar, metaphorical Sneers at the Revolution itself; and as the Poetry of it was good, the Offence of it was less pardonable

Event Comment: Newsletter, 1 Sept. 1694: Indictments are found against severall of the Masters of Booths in Bartholomew fair for presuming to keep the same without the Lord Mayor's permission (Huntington Library, EL 9986, Vol. 142)

Event Comment: Betterton's Company. The date of this revival is not certain, but Luttrell's copy (Huntington Library) bears his date of 27 Oct. 1696 for his acquisition of a copy; hence, the revival must have occurred not later than October 1696. When this play was revived at the Queen's Theatre in the Haymarket, 8 June 1705, the bill bore the heading: Not Acted by that Company these Nine Years

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but the fact that the play was advertised in the London Gazette, 18-21 Jan. 1696@7 (Luttrell acquired his copy, Huntington Library, 20 Jan. 1696@7) suggests that it was first given not later than December 1696. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), pp. 20-21, lists it among the "Masterpieces" on which Drury Lane "subsisted" in the early years after the separation of the theatres

Event Comment: From 16 Jan. 1696@7 to 18 May 1702 James Brydges, afterwards first Duke of Chandos, kept a diary in which he recorded, among other events, his attendance at the theatre. Unfortunately, his first entry dealing with the playhouses, like many other similar entries, does not name the play he saw; on 22 Jan. 1696@7 he wrote: my Uncle Warwick Lake? carried me to ye Playhouse. [For an account of his theatrical entries, see Lucyle Hook, James Brydges Drops in at the Theatre, Huntington Library Bulletin, VIII (1945), 306-11.

Event Comment: Rich's Company. There is no certainty as to just when this revival occurred, but the revival probably occurred not later than July 1697, as this edition was advertised in the Post Man, 28-31 Aug. 1697; and Luttrell's copy (Huntington Library) bears as his acquisition date, 10 Sept. 1697

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr Raftor and Miss Young (Cross). [Miss Young is referred to as "The Queen of the Fairies " on the Huntington advance Bill.] Tickets to be had of Miss Young, at Mr Driscol's, Peruke Maker, in Broad Court, Bow Street Covent Garden, and at Stage Door. There will be no building on the Stage. Receipts: #80 (Cross)

Event Comment: By Command of their Majesties. King & Queen (Cross Diary). The play and Farce went off extremely well--The King and Queen seemed vastly pleased--after the play the King sent the Lord Huntington to return Mr Powell thanks in his name for the entertainment he gave them, and his good wishes for his success (Hopkins Diary--MacMillan). Receipts: #240 15s. 6d. (MacMillan)

Event Comment: Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Places may be taken from Johnson at the Stage Door. No money will be taken at the stage door. None will be refunded after Curtain is drawn up. To begin at 6 o'clock. [Footnote not further noted. Garrick on his return from the continent first introduced a method of illumination by lights not visible to the audience, thus replacing the huge chandeliers (Genest, V, 86). Published this season, A Critical Balance of the Performers at Drury Lane last Season, a broadside sheet at 1s., printed for C. Moran. This scale of the following twelve values war applied to 43 actors and actresses: (A score of 20 under each heading was perfect.) Figure; Grace; Spirit & Ease, Sensibility & Truth; Dignity & Manners; Expression & Pantomime; Low Humor; Genteel Humor; Elocution and voice; Dress; Dumb show; Noise. Beside each actor was listed his outstanding parts. (See Copy in Huntington Library.)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: With a New Scene and New Dresses. Afterpiece [1st time; CO 2, by Charles Dibdin and Edward Thompson. Thompson's name does not appear on the title-page of the text; it has been added by J. P. Kemble on the half-title of his copy now in the Huntington Library]: The Music chiefly composed by Dibdin [Public Advertiser, 15 Nov.: Three of the airs and the finale were composed by Samuel Arnold; one air by John Abraham Fisher]. With New Scenes [ibid: by Dall, Richards, and Carver], Dresses and Decorations. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. Account-Book, 7 Feb. 1777: Paid Dibdin in full for copyright of the Seraglio #20; ibid, 2 June 1777: Received of Cooper for Songs & Books sold of The Seraglio #19 10s. 9d. [Mrs Ward was from the Birmingham theatre]. Receipts: #221 11s. 6d. (219.7.0; 2.4.6)

Event Comment: Benefit for Edwin. 2nd piece [1st time; F 2, by George Colman, elder, based of L'Avocat Patelin, by David Augustin de Brueys. This is usually ascribed to William Macready. But on the title-page of his copy (K-D 295 in Huntington Library) J. P. Kemble has written "This Piece was not written by Mr Macready." Public Advertiser, 29 Aug. states that "Colman...presented Edwin upon this occasion with a new Farce, taken from a celebrated French Play." World, 15 Oct. 1787 refers to Colman's dislike of L'Avocat Patelin, but adds, "When [he] came to translate it himself, he found reason to alter his opinion."]. Public Advertiser, 25 Aug.: Tickets to be had of Edwin, No. 19, Piazza, Covent Garden

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; C 5]: Altered from Beaumont and Fletcher, by Dryden [by Thomas King. The original alteration, 1700, was by Sir John Vanbrugh, not by Dryden. The present alteration has been attributed to John Philip Kemble, but in his copy of the play, now in the Huntington Library (K-D 95), he has written "by Thomas King"]. Public Advertiser, 22 Nov. 1787: This Day is published, as now revived with material Additions, The Pilgrim (1s.). Receipts: #85 9s. 6d. (72.5.0; 13.4.6; 0.0.0)