SELECT * FROM london_stages WHERE MATCH('(@(authnameclean,perftitleclean,commentcclean,commentpclean) "Mr Benj May"/1) | (@(roleclean,performerclean) "Mr Benj May")') GROUP BY eventid ORDER BY weight() desc, eventdate asc OPTION field_weights=(perftitleclean=100, commentpclean=75, commentcclean=75, roleclean=100, performerclean=100, authnameclean=100), ranker=sph04

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We found 5678 matches on Event Comments, 1309 matches on Performance Comments, 607 matches on Performance Title, 19 matches on Author, and 0 matches on Roles/Actors.
Event Comment: Benefit for Fawcett. 1st piece: Not acted some years [acted 30 Oct. 1790]. 2nd piece [1st time: ENT 1]. 3rd piece: By Permission of George Colman, Esq., and for that Night only. Tickets and Places to be had of Fawcett at his house, No. 10, Golden Square, and of Brandon, at the Theatre. "To the Public, May 16, 1797. In consequence of repeated Forgeries of Tickets on Benefit Nights, particularly those of Miss Wallis, Mr Incledon, Mr Holman, and Mrs Mattocks, it has been found necessary to offer a large Reward for the Discovery of the Person or Persons concerned in this unjust and cruel Practice. Mr Fawcett, therefore, thinks it his Duty to warn his Friends and the Public from purchasing Tickets for his Night of Strangers, especially those Persons who sell them in the Avenues of the Theatre, as all such will be stopt at the Doors, and if forged the Persons offering them for Admittance will be drawn into a disagreeable dilemma" (printed slip attached to Kemble playbill). Receipts: #462 5s. (189.12; 8.13; tickets: 264.0)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Man Of The World

Afterpiece Title: An Entremets

Afterpiece Title: Peeping Tom

Performance Comment: Peeping Tom of Coventry (with The Little Farthing Rushlight)-Fawcett; Crazy-Knight; Mayor of Coventry-Waddy; Count Louis-Claremont; Earl Mercia-Haymes; Harold (with an additional song)-Incledon; Emma-Mrs Mountain; Mayoress of Coventry-Mrs Davenport; Lady Godiva-Mrs Gilbert; Maud-Mrs Martyr.
Event Comment: Post Boy, No. 476, 21-24 May 16 98: Wednesday next, the 25th of May, will be performed in York Buildings, a new Entertainment of Vocal and Instrumental Musick, with the Song which was Sung to her Royal Highness on her Birthday Compos'd by Mr Daniel Purcell, and is for his Benefit

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Concert

Event Comment: London Gazette, No. 3396, 26-30 May 1698: This present Monday being the 30th of May, Mr Nichola's Consort of Vocal and Instrumental Musick, will be performed in York-Buildings. [This is, presumably, Nichola Matteis.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Concert

Event Comment: London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 1 May: Last Night The Conscious Lovers was perform'd [at GF] in Honour of the Royal Marriage, when there was a very splendid Appearance of Ladies and Gentlemen, to whom Mr Giffard had distributed Tickets. The Stage was decorated in a particular Manner with several Glass Lustres. And the Outside of the House illuminated with a great Number of Candles, a large Quantity of Liquor given to the Populace. [The Prologue is in London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 1 May; in London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 26 April, an announcement had been made that no money would be received on this night.]

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Conscious Lovers

Event Comment: By Command of Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales [who were present]. Mainpiece: Written by Beaumont and Fletcher. Afterpiece: Written by the Author of the Toy Shop. [For a letter on the disputes between the footmen and the gentlemen, see Grub St. Journal, 17 March.] [There is in the Bennett Collection, I, 93, in the Birmingham Library, an exceptionally curious advance notice for a performance to be given at Drury Lane soon after Easter of The Conscious Lovers and The Devil to Pay, with no cast for either play in the bill. The announcement appears to refer to the spring of 1737 and presumably appeared around the middle of March. It is intended for the benefit of a Widow under Misfortunes and the bill bears the heading: Gift and Pleasure. According to the announcement, the widow has been left Italian pictures, antiqees, jewels, and precious stones; and she intends, for the encouragement of her benefactors, to make a gift of all the objects, which will be placed in three hundred parcels. Tickets for the performance are advertised at five shillings, and no one is to be admitted without a ticket. The pit and boxes are to be put together at two tickets for each person, and the first and second galleries are placed together at one ticket for each spectator. The tickets are not to be left with the door-keepers as usual, but only shewn and kept. On the day following the benefit a raffle will be held, by Mr Foubert's Patent Mathematical Machine, at Hickford's Great Room in Brewers Street, Golden Square, and only holders of tickets will be admitted to the raffle, After this entry was set, an advertisement was found in the Daily Advertiser, 18 April 1738, announcing this performance for 13 May 1738. The Daily Advertiser on 5 May 1738, however, announced that the proposed performance had been cancelled.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Scornful Lady

Afterpiece Title: The King and the Miller of Mansfield

Event Comment: Benefit J. Roberts. By Desire. For the Entertainment of the Ancient and Honourable Society of Non-Common Pleas, Mainpiece: Written by the Author of George Barnwell. Second and Third Pieces: Both written by the Author of Pasquin. To begin exactly at Half an Hour after Six, and all will be over by Half an Hour after Nine. Tickets (containing the Prologue to the Register, by way of Ode to the New Year, with the Musick engrav'd on a Copper Plate) may be had of Mr Henry Roberts, Engraver, at the Star over-against the Vine Tavern in Holborn, and at the Theatre in the Hay-Market. Daily Advertiser, 2 May: Sir, As at every one of our Theatres this Day there is a Benefit for Persons under Misfortunes, 'tis humbly hop'd that the more humane Pursuers o Pleasure will suspend their Curiosity for Vaux Hall for one Day, (out of a hundred) in Favour of so many Unfortunate, who have but the Chance of one single Night to relieve them from Afflictions which perhaps they have long labour'd under. And, as I have somewhere read, So humane Worth to God like Heights they'll raise, For the Preserver shares the Maker's Praise. I believe it is fully known, without troubling you with farther Particulars, that among the Number above mention'd, is included, Sir, Your very humble Servant, John Roberts

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Fatal Curiosity

Afterpiece Title: The Historical Register

Afterpiece Title: Eurydice Hiss'd

Event Comment: No Money will be taken behind the scenes, nor any money to be return'd after the Curtain is drawn up. The following Letter, signed A By-Stander was inserted in the London Daily Post and General Advertiser: As I am absolutely unconcerned in all the now subsiding Theatrical Disputes, I hope the following observations upon what happened last Tuesday Night at Drury Lane will not be thought unworthy the Publick attention. The Manager of a theatre is to regard the General sense of the Town, and not any Faction form'd thru pique or resentment; Such a Faction may be Noisy, it may be Insolent, but never can be Considerable enough to force either the Manager or the Publick into their terms. Their outrages are equally insults upon the Understanding of the Town, as they are injuries to the Property of the Manager. Therefore if the Manager shall at any time give way to such proceedings, Then and not till Then, the Publick has a right ot find fault with him. The stage Then becomes a property to the insolence of a few misled people; and all theatrical diversions, which in this and other countries used to be directed by Decency and Publick Approbation are sacrificed to a pitiful Personal Resentment. If the above propositions are undeniable, the following Queries are submitted to the Publick, and the answer to them will determine the Reasonableness of the Tuesday Night Riot: I. Whether the Rioters were not Inconsiderable in their numbers and Circumstances? II: Whether any Gentleman can answer to himself, for doing in a Body, a thing which no Gentleman can justify for doing by himself? III. Whether the Rioters can justify their breaking into the Boxes, and taking possession of the seats, which were taken by many persons of Quality and Distinction, at the same time refusing to pay anything; thereby robbing the Manager of all the money of the Boxes, and most part of the Pit? IV. Whether the Manager ought to suffer in his property for the private quarrel between any two actors, as was the case...? V: Whether if such insolences are not discountenanced in the most effectual manner by the Town, any publick diversion can continue longer than a noisy inconsiderable Cabal pleases? VI. Whether any other motive than a regard to Public Decency would have hindered the Manager and Mr. Garrick's friends (who were treble the number) from treating the rioters as they deserved? I should be glad to see the above questions fairly and impartially answered

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Rehearsal

Event Comment: t foot of Bill]: Whenever a Pantomime or Farce shall be advertised, the advanced prices shall be returned to those who do not choose to stay; and on Thursday next will be published the Manager's reasons for his conduct in the present dispute. Winston MS.: Fleetwood, the manager, and servants driven from doors & all rushed in. Genest, IV, 137-38: A country gentleman was taken from an upper box and carried before a magistrate. This step when known by the audience occasioned much mischief. Acting the play not allowed. General Advertiser, 22 Nov.: An Address to the Public, dl Theatre 20 November. As the extraordinary disturbances which have lately happened at this theatre greatly affect the diversions of the publick, as well as the property of the manager, he thinks it incumbent on him to justify his conduct by giving a fair statement of the case....The reasons of complaint assigned, he apprehends, are the exhibition of Pantomimes, Advanced Prices, and Insults on the audience--as to the first, he submits it to be considered that however distasteful such pieces may be to the delicacy of some judgments, yet there are others to whose taste they are suited; as the playhouse may be considered as the general mart of pleasure, it is only from the variety of entertainment, the different tastes of the public can be supplied--of this the receipts of the house are a sufficient evidence, it being notorius, how necessary the addition of such pieces is towards procuring the best play a numerous audience. With regard to the advanced prices, the Manager hoped he should in some measure be justified by the great increase of the charges of the theatre which, notwithstanding any reduction that has been made, are still at least a fourth part greater than usual--but as in this point he has already submitted, he conceives it can no longer remain the subject of their displeasure, especially as by an advertisement handed about the theatre it was said that every objection would cease, when the manager consented to return the advanced prices to those, who did not choose to be tortured with entertainments. As to insults on the audience...last week upon some persons flinging the sconces and candles on the stage a quarrel arose, in the confusion of which a Gentleman was secured, but by whom the Manager knows not, nor ever gave any order, or was any acquainted with the affair till after he was discharged, for the truth of which he refers to the affidavit annexed. As to the accusation of several bruisers (as they are termed) being employed on Saturday night to insult Gentlemen, the Manager declares, that there was none but the Peace Officers, Carpenters, and Scene-men (which on account of the Entertainments are very numerous) and other servants belonging to the theatre; nor did they appear till urged by the tumult, by tearing up benches and threat'ning to come on the stage and demolish the scenes; nor could the Manager apprehend this legal precaution to prevent mischief and defend his property would ever be construed as an infringement on the liberty of an audience, especially when it is considered, what great damages he sustained some years ago on an attempt of the like nature--if any such persons appeared in the pit, the Manager presumes, they must have come in with the multitude, after his doorkeepers were drove from their posts, and the house was open to all; which was evident from several hundred persons more being present at the disturbance than were at the performance that night, who then came to a determination to prevent any performance on the Monday. After this impartial account of his conduct, the manager appeals to the judgment of the publick what foundation he has given for the outrageous disturbance on Monday night; and cannot help thinking, the real injuries he has sustained, too severe a punishment for an imaginary offence, having lost several hundred pounds already, by people being terrified from frequenting the theatre. A total exclusion is now insisted on, the Manager to resign his property, the Publick to be deprived of their diversions and the players of their subsistence; And all this after every concession, becoming one gentleman to ask, or another to make, has been submitted to. [Affidavit of Constable followed. See Genest, IV, 139-40.] The following three pamphlets came out expressing points of view concerning Fleetwood and his policy and management: I. The Disputes between the Director of d.l. and the Pit Potentates, 20 Nov. As a Letter to a Friend it tells the resolution: not to have old Pantomimes (so execrably bad that they were damn'd when new) imposed on them, unless the manager would take no more than common prices; reports how Fleetwood stocked the pit with Men of doughty valor...disguised in the habits of Gentlemen, to throw out all who protested; protests the system of casting employed whereby 2nd rate actors appeared in good parts; discusses hardship cases of certain actors (Mrs Roberts, Mrs Horton, Mrs Mills) and asks why Theophilus Cibber is not on the stage. 2. An Impartial Examen of the Present Contests, by Mr Neitherside, 1744: harks back to Fleetwood's finacial policies of the previous year, deploring his relations with the actors and with manager of cg; scourges him for miscasting his plays around one prominent actor, rather than giving a balanced performance; deplores his paying Mrs Cibber, Mrs Clive so much; revives the 1743 dispute which led to secession; dislikes the casting for 2 Nov. of Love's Last Shift; suggests better casts for many plays; scores the Licensing Act for reducing players to slavery; hopes for resumption of balanced performances. 3. Stage Policy Detected, or some Selcet Pieces of Theatrical Secret History Laid Open, in a Letter to a Certain Manager, 1744: takes apart Fleetwood's Defense, statement by statement, giving him the lie at each point. Suggests the real money from the house comes from Pit and Box, which are protesting his pantomimes; shows full attendance at Rehearsal and Macbeth with no afterpieces. Especially dislikes the hired bruisers, and the cast of the Alchemist for 6 Nov

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Provoked Wife

Dance: Muilment

Event Comment: Benefit for the Two Misses Scott. Pit and Boxes to be put together, 5s. Gallery 3s. To begin at half an hour after Six. No persons to be admitted but by printed tickets, which may be had of the two Misses Scott, at Mr Hind's, painter in Silver St., near Golden Square, and at the theatre where places may be taken. Several of the principal performers being engag'd for tomorrow night, the Misses Scott are oblig'd to take this night for their benefit, and humbly hope the Gentlemen and Ladies who intend them the honour of their company will excuse it, and the same tickets will be admitted. Note tickets deliver'd out for the Castle Tavern in Paternoster Row for the 14th of January will be taken

Performances

Mainpiece Title: A Concert

Event Comment: MMiddleton's Great Theatrical Booth. Mainpiece: The late facetious Mr. Penkethman's diverting Droll, not acted these thirty years. Note, this is no Puff. [Repeated 13 May. From a news item of 13 May, this piece was probably acted the rest of this week.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Argalus And Parthenia

Afterpiece Title: Harlequin's Whim; or, A True Touch of the Times

Event Comment: A Concert of Musick. 7 p.m. Afterpiece: A Farce taken from The Old Batchelor. Tickets at Mr Walker's, Bookseller, Fleet St. [The adaption from Congreve may have been used as the afterpiece until 11 May 47.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Diversions Of The Morning; Or, A Dish Of Chocolate

Afterpiece Title: The Credulous Husband

Event Comment: [The Advertisement of 17 May for the Suspicious Husband repeated for the fourth time, now, however, specifying the Grand Scotch Dance and a concluding Country Dance to round off the evening's entertainment for the benefit of M Monet. Tickets at White's Chocolate House in St James's St., and at the stage door. Being positively the last time of the Company's performing this season. The announcement accompanied by the following statement]: Mr Monett, the innocent tho' unfortunate cause of disgusting the Public by his attempting to represent French Plays, most humbly implores their assistance, by the means of this Benefit Play, to extricate him out of his present most deplorable situation. Without such relief his Misfortunes must detain him a ruined Man in England; a severity which he is persuaded never was proposed as any part of the purpose of the most disoblig'd, or determined against his Undertaking. With this relief he hopes to be able to return to France, and promises never again to risque their favours. He most submissively hopes he shall not be the only the single instance that may seem to contradict the hitherto unimpeached Good Nature and Humanity, which is universally acknowledged the Characteristic of the English Nation (General Advertiser)

Performances

Event Comment: Benefit for the Lying In Hospital, Aldersgate St. Receipts: #76 15s. Income from Tickets #80 11s. (boxes 114; pit 273; gallery 111). Charges #84 (Account Book). Tomorrow the First Part of King Henry IV. [A long plea for attendance at this performance appeared in the Public Advertiser: "It affords me the greatest satisfaction when I peruse your paper, and find so many advertisements for charitable Benefits at the Theatres; which must greatly add to the Entertainment of the Stage, when we are sensible that the profits are to be appropriated towards the relief and support of the Indigent and distress'd; for the refief of whom, it must (at the same time it gives us secret pleasure) raise the astonishment of foreigners to see so many charitable piles raise their benevolent roofs in and about this great Metroplis. Amongst which I must beg leave to recommend to the Public, the City of London Lying In Hospital in Aldersgate Street (for the Benefit of which the Play of the Conscious Lovers will be performed this evening at Covent Garden); whose charitable doors have been opened for the relief of a much greater Number since the late dearth of Provisions, than its Annual Income (being supported by voluntary contributions) can possibly support, without further aid from the Public." The plea continues by emphasizing the need for expert and tender care for pregnant women, and by pointing out the satisfaction British sailors will have in knowing their wives may be delivered in this hospital.] [The Occasional Prologue (Written by Mr Lockman, Secretary to the Society of Free British Fisheries) was published in the Public Advertiser on 16 Dec.: @"Not sweeter Joy the wond'ring Indian feels,@When his far dazzling Glory Sol reveals@Than warms my heart at this auspicious Sight,@The splendid Audience of this cheerful night."@ Much emphasis on the misery of child-bearing, yet the need for a large population "to a commercial land." Also included was the Epilogue, by Lockman, "Intended for Mrs Hamilton," ending, "May each youth, here, breathe Bevil's gen'rous flame@Each virgin merit Indiana's fame."

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Conscious Lovers

Afterpiece Title: Lethe

Dance: FFingalian Dance, by Desire, as17571013

Event Comment: A Burletta, Benefit for Sg & Sga Paganini, [Who] being desirous of returning to Italy...take this Opportunity to express their most grateful Sense of the many Favours with which they have been honoured in this Kingdom; and being willing that the Necessitous should share in that Bounty which they owe more to the Generosity of the English Nation than to their own Merits, they have allotted a fourth part of the Profits which may arise from the above Burletta (free from all Expense whatever) towards the carrying on and extending the Utility of the Asylum or House of Refuge for Female Orphans...and another Part of the aforesaid Profits will be given towards relieving old Signor Cataneo, who, during forty Years was useful to the Operas, but is now in extreme Distress; and the Manager, who is at the Expence of this Benefit, has chearfully consented to the Disposition here mentioned. As it is intended to apply the whole Profits which may arise from letting out the Servants Gallery [at 2s. 6d. each person] for the Benefit of the Asylum, over and above what was before alloted to it, 'tis humbly hoped that the Nobility, Gentry, etc. will not take it amiss if their Servants are not admitted that Night, as has been the Practice at this Theatre on Occasions of Charity. Tickets will delivered out for this Benefit, this day at the Opera Office, and signed by Mr Crawford, and all Monies given for Tickets above their usual Price, is to be shared in the Charity abovementioned. Tickets delivered for 23 March will be taken

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Il Mercato Del Malmantile

Event Comment: Benefit for Shuter. Mainpiece: Not acted these 4 years. [See 15 May 1760.] Afterpiece: A Tragi-comi-Pastoral-Farce by the late Mr Gay. Not acted these seven years. [See 15 May 1759.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Sir Courtly Nice; Or, It Cannot Be

Afterpiece Title: The What D'ye Call It

Dance: II: Hornpipe-Miss Pitt; End: New Grand Ballet, as17640320

Song: III: Will be a Duette-Mattocks, Miss Polly Young

Entertainment: End: The Cries of London-Shuter

Event Comment: Benefit for Wilson. 1st piece [1st time; PREL I, probably by Richard Wilson, altered from Illumination, by Frederick Pilin. Author of Epilogue unknown]. 2nd piece: Not acted these 28 years [acted 9 May 1763]. 3rd piece [1st time; F 2, by Henry Man. Text 1st published in his Miscellaneous Works, 1802, Vol. II, which does not assign the parts, and also lists Mr Carlton, Ralph, Butler. Prologue by the author (London Chronicle, 3 May)]. Public Advertiser, 15 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Wilson, at Stars Acres, upper end of Bow Street. Receipts: #277 19s. 6d. (13.4.6; tickets: 140.15.0) (charge: #105)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: A Gazette Extraordinary; Or, The Illumination

Afterpiece Title: The Pilgrim

Afterpiece Title: The Elders

Dance: IV: The Bedlamites-

Event Comment: A new Comic Opera; the music by Cimarosa, under the direction of Federici. The music of both dances by Miller. With entirely new Dresses, Scenes and Decorations, both in the Theatre itself, and in the Representations. Pit 10s. 6d. 1st Gallery 5s. 2nd Gallery 3s. No Money to be returned. The Subscribers are respectfully entreated to observe that they are to produce their Tickets at the doors. The Doors to be opened at 6:30. To begin at 7:30 [same throughout season, except on 15 May). The Ladies at the Head of the Boxes arc respectfully reminded that such Boxes as shall not be paid for at the opening of the Theatre become then vacant, and may be claimed by any of the old Subscribers. No one to be admitted behind the scenes. For the greater Safety of the Company in coming and going out of the Theatre Mr Townsend has taken charge of the Peace Officers, and will himself attend every night of Performance. [Morning Herald, 12 Jan., notes than the original gallery is now divided into two, a lower and an upper, and that the chief colors used in the repainting of the auditorium are blue, white and gold. Ibid, 13 Jan.: The scenes [in the opera], which were entirely new, have never been exceeded in splendour of general effect...One, representing the hall of an Italian villa, shews a ceiling designed like that of the theatre itself [which the same newspaper, 4 Jan., describes as being Apollo and the Muses, in a cove enriched with allegorical figures, flowers, and medals, in chiaroscuro].]

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Il Matrimonio Segreto

Dance: End of Act I a new Divertisement, composed by Noverre [performers not listed]; End of Act II a new Pantomimic Ballet, composed by Noverre, Adelaide; ou, La Bergere des Alpes, by Aumer, Gentili, Mme Del Caro, Mlle Hilligsberg, Mme M. L. Hilligsberg Sen

Event Comment: Benefit for the Widow of the Late Mr Farren [who had died on 9 May]. Morning Herald, 11 May: Tickets to be had of Mrs Farren, No. 85, Gower-street, Bedford-square. Receipts: #391 6s. (104.8; 8.3; tickets: 278.15)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Every One Has His Fault

Afterpiece Title: The Sailor's Festival; or, All Alive at Portsmouth

Afterpiece Title: Netley Abbey

Event Comment: Benefit for the Four Youngest Orphans of the late Mr Palmer [see dl, 18 June]. As it is presumed that the well-known liberality of the Publick will be strongly excited on the present occasion, the Proprietor of the [Haymarket] Theatre has requested the use of the Opera-House for this Evening, that the largest number of persons who wish to patronize the undertaking may be accomodated with places. The Proprietor of the Opera-House has, with the utmost readiness, granted the request. Tickets to be had of the Miss Palmers, at Dixon's, Upholsterer, the corner of Bedford-Court, Bedford-Street, Covent-Garden; of Messrs Ransom, Morland and Co., Bankers, Pall-Mall; of Jewell, No. 26, Suffolk-Street, Charing-Cross, of whom, and of Rice, at the Box-Office, Places for the Boxes may be taken. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. "[His brother] R. Palmer attempted to deliver an address at the end of the play, but he was so much overpowered that he...left the address unrecited, and [his] part in the farce was given up to another performer" (Monthly Mirror, Aug. 1798, p. 117, which also records that the receipts were approximately #700)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: At King's The Heir At Law

Afterpiece Title: The Children in the Wood

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. This play is on the L. C. list, 5@141, p. 216. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 348. The date on the list seems to be "3," but as this is a Sunday, it is more likely "9." This performance may well be the one to which Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, p. 31) refers: Note, Mr Cademan in this Play [The Man's the Master], not long after our Company began in Dorset-Garden; his Part being to Fight with Mr Harris, was Unfortunately, with a sharp Foil pierc'd near the Eye, which so Maim'd both the Hand and his Speech, that he can make little use of either; for which Mischance, he has receiv'd a Pension ever since 1673, being 35 Years a goe. [For a discussion of this accident, see William VanLennep, Henry Harris, Actor, Friend of Pepys, Studies in English Theatre History (London, 1952), p. 16, and the entry under 20 Aug. 1673.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Man's The Master

Event Comment: Lord Preston (in Paris) to the Duke of York, 22 Sept. 1683, N.S.: I should not have presumed to give your Highness the trouble of this if something of charity had not induced me to it. I do it at the instance of a poor servant of his Majesty's who some time since was obliged by a misfortune to leave England. It is Mr Grahme [Grabut?], sir, whom perhaps your Highness may remember. Mr Betterton coming hither some weeks since by his Majesty's command, to endeavour to carry over the Opera, and finding that impracticable, did treat with Monsr Grahme to go over with him to endeavour to represent something at least like an Opera in England for his Majesty's diversion. He hath also assured him of a pension from the House, and finds him very willing and ready to go over. He only desireth his Majesty's protection when he is there, and what encouragement his Majesty shall be pleased to give him if he finds that he deserves it (HMC, 7th Report, Part I, p. 290). W. J. Lawrence (Early French Players in England, p. 149) argued that Grahme should be Grabut, who had once been Master of the King's Music (to 1674) and who had settled in Paris. Grabut was certainly back in London in the spring of 1684

Performances

Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the first performance is not known, and the play is one of a large group commonly assigned to September-December 1690. As the Prologue implies an autumn production, it has been placed at late September, although the premiere may have been October. It was advertised in the London Gazette, 18-22 Dec. 1690, and entered in the Term Catalogues, Feb. 1690@1. The music was composed by Henry Purcell. See Purcell, Works, Purcell Society, XXI (Dramatic Music, III, 1917), xii-xiv. Dedication: So visibly promoting my Interest on those days chiefly (the Third and the Sixth) when I had the tenderest relation to the welfare of my Play [i.e. Southerne had two benefits]. Langbaine (English Dramatick Poets, 1691, Appendix): This Play was acted with extraordinary Applause, the Part of Sir Anthony Love being most Masterly play'd by Mr Montfort: and certainly, who ever reads it, will find it fraught with true Wit and Humour. Gentleman's Journal, January 1691@2: [The Wives' Excuse, newly performed] was written by Mr Southern, who made that call'd Sir Anthony Love, which you and all the Town have lik'd so well

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Sir Anthony Love; Or, The Rambling Lady

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first performance is not known. A contract between Cibber and Rich was signed on 29 Oct. 1696 (L. C. 3@73, in Nicoll, Restoration Drama, pp. 381-82), with an agreement that it was not to be printed until a month after it was acted. Since the play was advertised in the Post Man, 20-23 March 1696@7, it may have been acted as early as January 1697, certainly not later than February 1697. Possibly Leveridge set the music for a song, Tell me, Belinda, prithee do, which is in A New Book of Songs by Mr Leveridge, advertised in the London Gazette, No. 3293, 3 June 1697. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 18: Lady in Fashion, by a Player, Damn'd. Preface, Edition of 1697: Not to miss the Advantage of Mr Doggett's Excellent Action; I prepar'd a low Character

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Woman's Wit; Or, The Lady In Fashion

Event Comment: Betterton's Company. John Dryden to Mrs Steward, 4 March 1698@9: This Day is playd a reviv'd Comedy of Mr Congreve's called the Double Dealer, which was never very takeing; in the play bill was printed, Written by Mr Congreve; with Severall Expressions omitted: What kind of Expressions those were you may easily ghess; if you have seen the Monday's Gazette, wherein is the King s Order, for the reformation of the Stage: but the printing an Authours name, in a Play bill, is a new manner of proceeding, at least in England (Letters of John Dryden, 112-13)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Double Dealer

Event Comment: Post Man, No. 747, 4-7 May 1700: At the desire of several Ladies of Quality, To-morrow being Wednesday, (in the great Room in York Buildings) will be performed a new Mask set to Musick, with an extraordinary entertainment of other Vocal and Instrumental Musick for the Benefit of Mr Gouge [Mr George in Flying Post] and Miss Bradshaw. Prices 2s. 6d

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Concert