Event Comment: On this day occurred the Coronation of William and Mary

Event Comment: The United Company. This performance is on the L. C. list, 5@141, p. 369. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 352. In L. C. 5@150, p. 156, is an order to prepare the stage for the play, and, in L. C. 5@150, p. 164, is another order for new equipment. Luttrell, A Brief Relation, II, 125: The 4th, being his majesties birth day...and at night was a consort of musick, and a play afterwards. Matthew Prior wrote A Pindarique Ode which was sung before Their Majesties at court on this day. See The Literary Works of Matthew Prior, ed. H. B. Wright and M. K. Spears (Oxford, 1959), I, 96-98; II, 858. Cibber, Apology, I, 128: The agreeable was so natural to [Mountfort], that even in that dissolute Character of the Rover he seem'd to wash off the Guilt from Vice, and gave it Charms and Merit. For tho' it may be a Reproach to the Poet to draw such Characters not only unpunish'd but rewarded, the Actor may still be allow'd his due Praise in his excellent Performance. And this is a Distinction which, when this Comedy was acted at Whitehall, King William's Queen Mary was pleas'd to make in favour of Monfort, notwithstanding her Disapprobation of the Play

Event Comment: The United Company. This performance is on the L. C. list, 5@151, p. 369: ye Q a Box & a Box for ye Maids of Honr double dealer. [See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 352.] Cibber relates an incident which may pertain to this performance, Apology, I, 185-86: Queen Mary having commanded the Double Dealer to be acted, Kynaston happen'd to be so ill that he could not hope to be able next Day to perform his Part of the Lord Touchwood. In this Exigence, the Author, Mr Congreve, advis'd that it might be given to me, if at so short a Warning I would undertake it. The Flattery of being thus distinguish'd by so celebrated an Author, and the Honour to act before a Queen, you may be sure made me blind to whatever Difficulties might attend it. I accepted the Part, and was ready in it before I slept; next Day the Queen was presented at the Play, and was received with a new Prologue from the Author, spoken by Mrs Barry, humbly acknowledging the great Honour done to the Stage....After the Play, Mr Congreve made me the Compliment of saying, That I had not only answer'd, but had exceeded his Expectations, and that he would shew me he was sincere in his saying more of me to the Masters.--He was as good as his Word, and the next Pay-day I found my Sallary of fifteen was then advanced to twenty Shillings a Week

Event Comment: The Lord Mayor's Show. By Elkanah Settle. See Celia Fennes, Through England on a Side Saddle in the Time of William and Mary (1888), pp. 242 ff, for an account of a Lord Mayor's show in the late seventeenth century

Event Comment: Queen Mary died on this day. The theatres were closed until after Easter

Event Comment: The date of the premiere is not known, but the fact that the opera was advertized in the Post Man, 14-16 Jan. 1696@7, suggests that it was first acted not later than December 1696. As the title page indicates, the work had been intended for presentation before the Court, but the death of Queen Mary prevented its appearance at Court. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 19: Sullen: But to go on, Cynthia and Endymion. Ramble: What a Pox is that? I never heard on't. Sullen: I believe not; 'tis one of Durfey's Toys. Ramble: Durfey's? what again? 'twas just now we parted with him. Sullen: Ay but Sir, you must know this is an Opera--and as he tells us in the Title-page, design'd t be perform'd at court before the late Queen--there's for you; Durfey in his Altitudes--but notwithstanding the vain and conceited Title-page, 'tis good for nothing within: He's the very Antipodes to all the Poets, Antient and Modern: Other Poets treat the Deities civilly, but Mr Durfey makes the Gods Bullies, and Jilts of the chastest Goddesses. Ramble: So, I suppose that was mawl'd, notwithstanding the Honour which he says the Queen intended it. Sullen: 'Twas well for Durfey her late Majesty never saw it; Gad if she had, People wou'd ha' said, it had first been the cause of her Illness, and then of her Death; for 'tis a mortifying Piece o' my Word; Yes, yes,--it was Damn'd

Event Comment: [By Mary de la Riviere Manley.] Never Acted before. And by Reason of the Extraordinary Charge for Habits, Boxes 5s., Pit 3s., First Gallery 2s., Upper Gallery 1s. Preface: Almyna was admirably Acted, and advantagiously dress'd: The first was owing to Mr Betterton's unwearied care...the second to Mr Swiny...for venturing...to make so great an Expence...both justly condemn'd for playing it at so ill-fated a Time, viz. The immediate Week before Christmas between Devotion and Camilla

Event Comment: Benefit Johnson. The Diary of Mary Countess Cowper, pp. 103-4; She [Mrs Clayton] and Lady W. Powlett, and I went to the Play together, for the Benefit of Johnson, who is the best Comedian this Day upon the Stage, and I believe as true and good a Player as ever was in any Age, for the Parts that he plays

Event Comment: [By Mrs Mary Manley.] Never Acted before

Event Comment: At the particular Desire of several Ladies of Quality. The Diary of Mary Countess Cowper, p. 153: At Night at the French Play with the Duchess of Shrewsbury. Everybody took Notice of the Scene of the Drawing-room

Event Comment: [Text by N. F. Haym. Music by G. F. Handel.] By Command Pit and Boxes at half a guinea. Gallery 5s. At 6:30 p.m. When the Tickets are dispos'd of, No Persons will be admitted for Money. The Diary of Mary Countess Cowper, p. 154: At Night, Radamistus, a fine Opera of Handel's Making. The King there with his Ladies. The Prince in the Stage-box. Great Crowd. Mainwaring, Handel, pp. 98-99: If the persons who are now living, and who were present at that performance may be credited, the applause it received was almost as extravagant as his Agrippina had excited; the crowds and tumults of the house at Venice were hardly equal to those at London. In so splendid and fashionable an assembly of Ladies (to the excellence of their taste we must impute it) there was no shadow of form, or ceremony, scarce inoeed any appearance of order or regularity, politeness, or decency. Many, who had forc'd their way into the house with an impetuosity but ill-suited to their rank and sex, actually Fainted through the heat and closeness of it. Several Gentlemen were turned back, who had offered forty shillings for a seat in the gallery, after having despaired of getting any in the pit or boxes

Event Comment: In a letter to the Daily Post. 4 June, the Patentees of Drury Lane-Mary Wilks, John Ellys, Hester Booth, and John Highmore-stated the cast of the Patentees. The gist of their statement is: (1) They operate under a Patent commencing 1 Sept. 1732 which, by Deaths and Legal Assignments, is the property of the four, with Highmore possessing one half, at an expence of #6,000 and upwards. (2) Several of the Players have threatened to desert the service of the Patentees and have contracted with some of the Trustees (the Sharers) to secure possession of the Theatre. (3) Drury Lane is let upon lease from the Duke of Bedford, granted to Thomas Kynaston and Francis Stanhope, Trustees for the Sharers (commonly called Renters) of Drury Lane at the rent of #50 annually upon a Fine of 1,000 guineas paid for the renewal of the lease. (4) The Players, under the Patentees, have acted at Drury Lane for twenty-one years without any interruption form the Trustees upon the sole contract that the Patentees pay the Trustees #3 12s. each acting night, besides the Liberty of seeing Plays. (5) At the beginning of this Season the manager's office received a letter from a few of the Renters demanding an Advance of Rent. Highmore, being new, was concerned, and asked the managers to take care of the matter; and thereafter the signers (the Patentees) had heard of no further discontent among the Renters. (6) To defend themselves against stories of hardship or complaint by the actors, the Patentees point out that the following weekly salaries had been paid: Colley Cibber #12 12s.; Theophilus Cibber #5; Mills Sr, #1 daily for 200 days certain, and a benefit, clear of all charges; Mills Jr #3; Johnson #5; Miller #5; Harper #4; Griffin #4; Shepard #3; Hallam, for himself and his father, the latter of little or no service, #3; Mrs Heron #5; Mrs Butler #3. For these charges and others, the Patentees stand a daily expence of #49 when the theatre is open. (7) Further, the Patentees paid Cibber Jr his wife's whole salary without her being able to act the greater part of the winter, #9 weekly for the two; Mills Jr, in the same circumstances with his wife, #5 10s. weekly for the two; Miller a salary (amounting to #40) for eight weeks before he acted, and a gratuity of ten guineas; Griffin a present of ten guineas; Harper a present, amount not specified; Mrs Heron an increase form 40s. to #5 weekly, although she refused afterward to play several parts assigned her and acted but seldom

Event Comment: CCraftsman, 9 June: We hear...that the Rebel Players are not yet reduced to their Obedience, but it is thought that They will soon be obliged to surrender at Discretion. In that mean Time, the Publick waits with Impatience to see the Manifesto of their doubty Chief, Mr Theophilus Cibber, which He hath promised in the News-Papers. It is expected that, in this Manifesto, the young Captain will endeavour to prove that the King's Patent, after a solemn Adjudgment in the Court of Chancery, is of no Validity; and that picking a Gentleman's Pocket of Six Thousand Pounds is perfectly consistent with the Principles of Liberty. In the Daily Post, 11 June, Benjamin Griffin, Comedian, published his Humble Appeal to the Publick.The gist of his statement is: (1) Griffin had been under the management of Rich at Lincoln's Inn Fields, without any intention of leaving him, when, at the beginning of the season of 1721, the managers at Drury Lane sent him messages by Thurmond Sr and Shaw, seeking Griffin to treat with them. Griffin at first refused, but Steede, then the prompter of Drury Lane, prevailed upon him. Wilks immediately offered the same conditions Griffin had under Rich: #4 weekly and a benefit before 15 April, at the certain incident charge of #40. Wilks also offered him articles for three years, with a promise of an advance in salary and better terms at that time. (2) No sooner had Griffin agreed than the masters of both companies entered into a private agreement not to receive any one of the other's company, though discharged, without a private agreement to that purpose. (3) At the end of three years, under date of 12 December 1724, R. Castleman, the treasurer of Drury Lane, sent Griffin a note to the effect that the managers were willing to continue him at 10s. nightly (#3 weekly); as Griffin could not return to Rich, he had to accept the reduction in pay as well as a delay of his benefit to May and a payment of #50 for the charges. (4) He remained so until 1729, losing in salary #147 besides the #10 extra benefits. At Norris' illness and death, the managers returned him to #4 weekly but kept the charges at #50. (5) Under date of 4 June 1733, by the signatures of Mary Wilks, Hester Booth, John Highmore, and John Ellys, Griffin received a discharge from Drury Lane and full Liberty to treat with Rich or any one else. He asserts that he had no previous notice and received no reason for his discharge

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by the late Mr Congreve. Daily Journal, 8 March: On Friday Night last died Mrs Mary Heron, a celebrated Actress belonging to Drury-lane Playhouse

Event Comment: [M+Midwife, No II (at about this date) includes a Letter from Mary Midnight to David Garrick, Esq praising him as actor and even as manager, but asking why he neglects Fletcher's plays: "What is the reason that the public patience is so largely try'd, and the human understanding so shamefully insulted as it is, by a perpetual repetition of the Duke and No Duke, the Anatomist, and twenty things of like nature?" Concludes by remarking that the London Cuckolds is a scandal to virtue.] Receipts: #120 (Cross)

Event Comment: A Concert, etc. At the Great Room, Castle Tavern. [See Comment, 5 May 1752.] To be conducted by Mrs Mary Midnight, author of the Midwife, and his Family. No admittance without Tickets, which are to be had at the Bedford Coffee House, Covent Garden. The Room will be lighted by Wax Candles. To begin at 7 p.m. Price 2s. 6d. [Time and price repeated thus for subsequent performances at the Castle Tavern.

Event Comment: A Concert, &c. To be concluded by Mrs Mary Midnight and her Family. The Concert to begin at Twelve. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. [Repeated in subsequent bills.] Second time of performing

Event Comment: On Wednesday next in the Evening Mrs Midnight's Concert and Oratory will again be performed...at the Haymarket. The last time this Entertainment was performed, the House was crowded, that many Hundreds could not get admittance, and persons of Quality and Distinction found Satisfaction...My Service to Sister Henley. Mary Midnight (Daily Advertiser)

Event Comment: Receipts: #157 15s. [The Account Book lists the payment of 2s. per acting night to each shareholder: @Shareholder Mrs Martha Bedwell No. Share 1@No. Nights 36@Payment #3 12s.@Shareholder Mrs Creighton No. Shares 1@No. Nights 36@Payment #3 12s.@Shareholder Mr Francis Bedwell No. Shares 1@No. Nights 37@Payment #3 14s.@Shareholder Mr Robert Griffin No. Share 1@No. Nights 37@Payment #3 14s.@Shareholder Mr John Mitchell No. Shares 1@No. Nights 87@Payment #8 14s.@Shareholder Mrs Mary Michell No. Shares 1@No. Nights 87@Payment #8 14s.@Shareholder Mr John Walsh No. Shares 1@No. Nights 86@Payment #8 12s.@Shareholder Mr Lucuss No. Shares 1@No. Nights 54@Payment #5 8s.@Shareholder Col. Wade No. Shares 1@No. Nights 8@Payment 16s.@Shareholder Sir Arthur Croft No Shares 1@No. Nights 8@Payment 16s.@Shareholder Mr John White No. Shares 1@No. Nights 5@Payment 10s.@Shareholder Mr John Croft, Esq No. Shares 1@No. Nights 5@Payment 10s.@Shareholder Mr Rubin Adolphus No. Shares 1@No. Nights 5@Payment 10s.@Shareholder Mr Henry Woodfall No. Shares 1@No. Nights 3@Payment 6s.@Total No. Shares 14@No. Nights 494@Payment #49 8s.@ Winston MS 8 notes that on 1 Feb. dl had only 20 renters at 2s. a night.