Event Comment: According to the Flying Post, 18-20 Oct. 1698: On Tuesday October 18, 1698, the Penny Lottery began at the Theatre Royal in Dorset Garden with the first draw. [On 28 Sept. 1698 James Brydges, Diary reported that he had gone into dg to see the "engine" for the lottery.] The Post Boy, 18-20 Oct. 1698: There is now Acting at the Theatre Royal in Dorset Garden a Tragy-Comedy called The Wheel of Fortune, or The Fools Expectation. And 'tis thought the Author will have a good Sixth Day. According to the Post Boy, 20-22 Oct. 1698: On Monday next will be publish'd, a Comical and Satirical Prologue and Epilogue, intended to be spoken at the Acting of the new Invented Farce, call'd, the Wheel of Fortune, or the Fools Expectation. [The Prologue and Epilogue are reprinted in Wiley, Rare Prologues and Epilogues, pp. 305-10.] It seems probable that the lottery was dignified, for satiric purposes, by being given the title of a play, with a satirical Prologue and Epilogue. Post Man, 20-22 Oct. 1698: The Entertainment performed at the Theatre Royal in Dorset Garden, at drawing the Lottery, called the Wheel of Fortune; being the Speeches addrest to the Spectators, as Prologues and Epilogues. During a Symphony of Musick the Curtain rises slowly, and discovers two wheels upon the Stage; then two Figures, representing Fortunev and Astraea the Goddess of Justicev, descend over each Wheel, in two rich Chariots gilt with Gold

Event Comment: London Post, 4-6 Dec. 1699: At the Request of several Persons of Quality, on Thursday next, being the 7th Inst. at the Theatre in Dorset Garden, the Famous Kentishmen, Wm. and Rich. Joy, design to show to the Town before they leave it, the same Tryals of Strength both of them, that Wm. had the Honour of showing before His Majesty, and their Royal Highnesses, with several other Persons of Quality; for which, he receiv'd a considerable Gratuity....Beginning exactly at 2, and Ending at 4. The Boxes 4s. the Pit 2s. 6d. 1st Gallery 2s. Upper Gall. 1s

Event Comment: [By Richard Steele. Date of premiere unknown. Published 20 Dec.] Colley Cibber: I remember [Rich] once paid us nine Days in one Week: This happen'd when the Funeral...was first acted, with more than expected Success.-Apology, I, 263

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Newly Corrected. Katherine Tofts, in Daily Courant, 8 Feb.: I was very much surpriz'd when I was inform'd that Ann Barwick, who was lately my Servant, had committed a Rudeness last Night [5 Feb.] at the Playhouse, by throwing of Oranges, and hissing when Mrs l'Epine, the Italian Gentlewoman Sung. I hope no one can think that it was in the least with my Privity, as I assure you it was not. [The statement, addressed to Christopher Rich, was dated 6 Feb.

Event Comment: Benefit the Author. [In the Preface to the 1709 edition D'Urfey thanks Rich for allowing him to be the first to raise the admission prices for his benefit.

Event Comment: [Text by N. F. Haym. Music by G. F. Handel.] Colman's Opera Register: Mr O. Swiny ye Manager of ye Theatre was now setting out a New Opera, Heroick. all ye Habits new & richer than ye former with 4 New Scenes, & other Decorations & Machines. Ye Tragick Opera was called Theseus. Ye Musick composed by Mr Handel....ye Opera being thus prepared Mr Swiny would have got a Subscription for Six times, but could not.--he then did give out Tickets at half a Guinea each, for two Nights ye Boxes lay'd open to ye Pit, ye House was very full these two Nights

Event Comment: [Opening night, under the management of John Rich.] By the Company of Comedians under Letters Patents granted by King Charles the Second. Beginning exactly at Six. No Persons are to be admitted behind the Scenes, nor any Money to be return'd after the Curtain is drawn up. Receipts: #143. Weekly Packet, 18 Dec.: This Day the New Play-House...is to be open'd...by the Company that act under the Patent; tho' it is said, that some of the Gentlemen who have left the Theatre in Drury-Lane for that Service, are order'd to return to their Colours, upon Pain of not exercising their Lungs anywhere; which may in Time prove of ill Service to the Patentee; that has been at vast Expence to make his Theatre as convenient for the Reception of an Audience as any one can possibly be

Event Comment: Benefit Henry Rich, Pit Officekeeper. At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Tickets for the New Medley will be taken. Receipts: #124 1s. 6d

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. [Rich's Register lists Lady Jane Gray.

Event Comment: Benefit John and Chr. Rich. At 6 p.m. Notice concerning scenes and machines essentially as 3 Dec. 1715. Receipts: money #35 10s. and tickets #45 16s

Event Comment: [By Lewis Theobald.] Never Acted before. Receipts: #25 8s. 6d. Preface: I am only sorry, it did not answer so well to Mr Rich, as I hop'd it would have done....The Play was got up with indefatigable Application, in Twelve Days time from the first Reading, which is less than ever any Tragedy was known to be got ready in

Event Comment: Benefit Henry Rich, Pit Officekeeper. At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Receipts: money #24 14s. and tickets #55 13s

Event Comment: Not Acted these Fourteen Years. Written by the late Mr Farquhar. N.B. In Consideration of the Diversion the French Children have given the Town, Mr Rich has engag'd their Stay in England for some time longer, and on Thursday next they will perform again. Receipts: #25 1s

Event Comment: In Daily Courant, 9 Feb., The Rehearsal is announced, but Rich's Register has it marked out and Othello superimposed

Event Comment: Benefit Henry Rich, Pit Officekeeper. Receipts: money #15 4s. 6d.; tickets #43 2s

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. At 6 p.m. Post Boy, 28 Sept.: We hear that last Week Mr Rich made an Assignment of the New Theatre in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, and his Patent granted by King Charles II to Mr Keene and Mr Bullock jun. and that they open on Saturday next, with a celebrated Play of Shakespear's call'd, Cimbiline, which will be entirely new dress'd

Event Comment: Benefit John and Ch. Rich. At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Receipts: #60 10s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit J. and Ch. Rich. At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Receipts: #46 6s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit J. and Ch. Rich. Afterpiece: A New Dramatic Entertainment of Dancing in Grotesque Characters. Receipts: #45 6s. 6d. At the Desire of several Persons of Quality

Event Comment: Benefit J. and Ch. Rich. Receipts: #48 15s

Event Comment: Benefit John Rich. Receipts. #71 9s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit J. and Ch. Rich. Receipts: #66 2s. 6d

Event Comment: Benefit J. and Ch. Rich. Receipts: #36 9s

Event Comment: Benefit J. and Ch. Rich. Receipts: #72 5s. 6d