Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the premiere is not known, but Cibber (see below) states that it was acted in January; the Dedication was signed 7 Feb. 1695@6, and the play was advertised in the London Gazette, No 3157, 10-13 Feb. 1695@6. Two songs were published separately: Go home, unhappy wench, set by Francks and sung by Mrs Cross and the Boy (in Thesaurus Musicus, The Fifth Book, 1696) and What an ungratefull devil moves you, set by Daniel Purcell (in Deliciae Musicae, The First Book of the Second Volume, 1696). A separately-printed sheet of the second song states that it was sung by "The Boy", Cibber, Apology, I, 212-14: The next Year I produc'd the Comedy of Love's last Shift; yet the Difficulty of getting it to the Stage was not easily surmounted; for, at that time, as little was expected from me, as an Author, as had been from my Pretensions to be an Actor. However, Mr Southern, the Author of Oroonoko, having had the Patience to hear me read it to him, happened to like it so well that he immediately recommended it to the Patentees, and it was accordingly acted in January 1695 [i.e., 1695@6]. In this Play I gave myself the Part of Sir Novelty, which was thought a good Portrait of the Foppery then in fashion. Here, too, Mr Southern, though he had approv'd my approv'd my Play, came into the common Diffidence of me as an Actor: For, when on the first Day of it I was standing, myself, to prompt the Prologue, he took me by the Hand and said, Young Man! I pronounce they Play a good one; I will answer for its Success, if thou dost not spoil it by thy own Action....I succeeded so well in both, that People seem'd at a loss which they should give the Preference to. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 16: Ramble: Ay, marry, that Play was the Philosopher's Stone; I think it did wonders. Sullen: It did so, and very deservedly; there being few Comedies that came up to 't for purity of Plot, Manners and Moral: It's often acted now a daies, and by the help of the Author's own good action, it pleases to this Day

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

Event Comment: At the Theatre-Royal in Lincoln's Inn Fields, this Day,will be presented a Comedy. Written by Colley Cibber, Esq., Poet Laureat. At Common Prices, viz. Boxes 4s. Pit 2s. 6d. 1st Gallery 1s. 6d. Upper Gallery 1s. [prices regularly repeated in the bills]. For the better Decorum of the Stage, no Money will be taken behind the Scenes; and 'tis humbly hop'd no Person will desire Admittance there

Event Comment: Benefit Cibber. At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality

Event Comment: [Written by Colley Cibber.] Never Acted before. Whincop, p. 197: Mr Cibber's Enemies shew'd themselves very warmly at the Representation of this Piece, and I think without much Discretion; for they began to hiss it before they had heard it, and I remember very well, began their Uproar, on the first Night, as soon as he appeared to speak the Prologue

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by Mr Cibber

Event Comment: As 27 Nov. 1738. Mainpiece: Alter'd from Shakespear. Victor, History of the Theatres, II, 48: In the Year 1738, having, as he [Colley Cibber] said, Health and Strength enough to be as useful as ever, he came to Terms with Mr Fleetwood for his performing Richard, Fondlewife, Sir John Brute, &c. All his Comedy Parts he was right in, but in Richard he found his Mistake; his usual Strength and Spirit failed him most unhappily. I went behind the Scenes in the third Act, and asking him how he fared? He whispered me in the Ear, "That he wou'd give fifty Guineas to be then sitting in his easy Chair by his own Fireside.

Event Comment: Benefit At the particular desire of several persons of quality for Mr Cibber. Mainpiece: Not acted these 8 years [see 15 Feb. 1746]. N.B. The Boxes not being equal to the demand for places, Servants will be allow'd to keep places on the stage, which for the better accommodation of the Ladies, and to preserve the Decorum of the Play, will be enclosed in the manner of an amphitheatre. Ladies are desired to send servants by 3 o'clock. Tickets to be had at White's Chocolate House, St James's, and at the stage door (playbill). For Th: Cibber a prisoner in ye King's Bench--he did Wolf and ye Epilogue of Nobody. Receipts: #220 (Cross)

Event Comment: Written by Mr Cibber

Event Comment: Written by Mr Cibber

Event Comment: Written by Mr Cibber

Event Comment: As it was alter'd from Beaumont and Fletcher, by C. Cibber. Daily Journal, 8 Jan.: Last Friday Night the Rival Fools was Acted for the second time...upon which there was a much greater Disturbance than the Night before, for the Actors were not only hiss'd, but pelted off the Stage with Oranges; scarce was Mr Wilks allow'd the liberty of speaking, and at the end of the 3d Act they were obliged to dismiss the Audience