Event Comment: The
Duke's Company. If the run of
The Wits occurred as it is outlined above, this would presumably be the first day of
Hamlet.
Pepys, Diary: To the Opera, and there saw
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, done with scenes very well, but above all,
Betterton did the
prince's part beyond imagination.
Downes (p. 21): The Tragedy of
Hamlet:
Hamlet being Perform'd by Mr Betterton,
Sir William (having seen
Mr Taylor of the
Black-Fryars Company Act it, who being Instructed by the Author
Mr Shakespear) taught
Mr Betterton in every Particle of it; which by his exact Performance of it, gain'd him Esteem and Reputation, Superlative to all other Plays...No succeeding Tragedy for several Years got more Reputation, or Money to the Company than this
Performances
Mainpiece Title: Hamlet, Prince Of Denmark