Event Comment: Notices of performances on this date had appeared since 8 Sept., as at common prices and written by the late Sir Richard Steele, yet under the unsettled circumstances Fleetwood may not have assembled the players necessary for the production. Macklin, Garrick, Mills, Pritchard, Havard, Berry, Leigh, Blakes, Woodburn, Mrs Clive, Mrs Pritchard, and Mrs Mills had withdrawn and were attempting to form a company for acting at the New Haymarket. See Drury Lane Management in the Introduction

Event Comment: Mainpiece written by Sir Richard Steele. Benefit Yates. Not acted in 40 years [see 8 Dec. 1703]

Event Comment: Benefit for Palmer. Afterpiece [1st time; P 3, author unknown. "Founded on the Tale of Inkle & Yarico" (Kemble Mem.), by Sir Richard Steele, in The Spectator, No. II, 13 March 1710-11. Not in Larpent MS; not published]: The Music by Gluck and Martini [i.e. Martin y Soler]. Morning Herald, 9 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Palmer, No. 3, London-road, St. George's Fields. Receipts: #452 16s. (169.17; 47.13; 2.11; tickets: 232.15) (charge: #169 5s. 8d.)

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. The date of the first performance is not known. As Evelyn saw it on 27 April, it seems likely that it was first performed before Easter (April 10). It was not licensed for printing until 8 July 1664. Preface to edition of 1664: I Cou'd not have wish'd my self more fortunate than I have been in the success of this Poem:...The Acting of it has lost me no Reputation. Downes, Roscius Anglicanus, p. 25: @Sir Nich'las, Sir Fred'rick, Widow and Dufoy, Were not by any so well done, Mafoy.@ The clean and well performance of this Comedy, got the Company more Reputation and profit than any preceding Comedy; the Company taking in a months time at it #1000

Event Comment: Not Acted these Sixteen Years. For the Entertainment of his Excellency Sid Mahomet Ben Ali Abogly, Ambassador from the Emperor of Morocco. Written by Sir William D'Avenant, and very carefully revis'd with Alterations. Receipts: #31 9s. 6d

Event Comment: [Advertised as performed but once, but see 18 Jan. Sheridan in Preface to Edition of 1775 (2nd) refers to withdrawing the piece to remove those imperfections in the first representation which were too obvious to escape reprehension, and too numerous to admit of hasty correction." He blames his inexperience and want of judgment in theatrical effects, the extreme length of the play act by act, and haste in writing. From the Westminster Magazine Feb., which outlined the plot in five columns: The present state of the Rivals is widely different from that in which we found it on the first night's representation. Sir Lucius O'Trigger being re-touched, has now the appearance of a character; and his assigning Beverley's reflection on his country as the grounds for his desire to quarrel with him, is a reasonable pretence, and wipes off the former stigma undeservedly thrown on the sister Kingdom. An alteration of a principal incident gave a very favorable turn to the fable and the whole piece: that where young Acres now delivers his challenge to his friend Absolute, begging him to carry it to his Rival Beverly, not knowing the two characters composed but one man; its being at first given to Sir Lucius, the person who indited it, was highly inconsistent...we should be induced from many evident traits of literary genius to pronounce the Rivals a good comedy."

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Written by Sir George Etheridge

Event Comment: Written by Sir George Etheridge