SELECT * FROM london_stages WHERE MATCH('(@(authnameclean,perftitleclean,commentcclean,commentpclean) "Sir Will Davenant"/1) | (@(roleclean,performerclean) "Sir Will Davenant")') GROUP BY eventid ORDER BY weight() desc, eventdate asc OPTION field_weights=(perftitleclean=100, commentpclean=75, commentcclean=75, roleclean=100, performerclean=100, authnameclean=100), ranker=sph04

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Event Comment: Add. Mss. 36916, folio 128, 2 March 1668@9: The occasion of this [a challenge of the Duke of Buckingham to a duel by Lord Halifax or another friend of Sir William Coventry] there was a new play to be acted on Saturday last called the Country Gentleman, said to be made by the Duke & Sr Robt Howard, wherein tis said that the Earle of Clarendon, Sr Wm Coventry and some other Courtiers are plainly personated, but especially Sr William in the midst of his table of Writings; this he (or some of his relations) would not brooke, but whether he or the Ld Halifax was to fight the Duke is not knowne, but the King hath prevented all; and the play is not acted. [See also Pepys, 4 and 6 March]

Performances

Event Comment: [The King's Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but a letter--see 2 Jan. 1670@1--indicates that the first part had been acted before that date and that Part II was to be shortly staged. The point of the Prologue spoken by Ellen Gwyn seems to have derived from an incident at Dover (see Downes, Roscius Anglicanus, p. 20) in May 1670, when James Nokes attired himself in a ridiculous fashion, including "Broad wast Belts." The speakers of the Epilogue and the Prologue to the Second Part are mentioned in Sir William Haward's MS (Bodl. MS Don. b., pp. 248-49); see The Poems of John Dryden, ed. James Kinsley (Oxford, 1958), IV, 1848-49. In Part I a song Beneath a myrtle shade, with music by John Bannister, is in Choice Songs and Ayres, First Book, 1673. Another, Wherever I am, with music by Alphonso Marsh, is in the same collection, as is also How unhappy a lover am I, the music by Nicholas Staggins. Mrs John Evelyn to Mr Bohun, ca. Jan. 1670@1: Since my last to you I have seen The Siege of Grenada, a play so full of ideas that the most refined romance I ever read is not to compare with it; love is made so pure, and valour so nice, that one would image it designed for an Utopia rather than our stage. I do not quarrel with the poet, but admire one born in the decline of morality should be able to feign such exact virtue; and as poetic fiction has been instructive in former ages, I wish this the same event in ours. As to the strict law of comedy I dare not pretend to judge: some think the division of the story is not so well if it could all have been comprehended in the day's actions (The Diary and Correspondence of John Evelyn, ed. William Bray, IV, 25). According to John Evelyn--see 9 Feb. 1670@1--Robert Streeter did some of the scenes for this play. In the Preface to The Fatal Discovery, ca. February 1697@8, George Powell, in discussing revivals of Dryden's plays, stated: In relation to our reviving his Almanzor...very hard crutching up what Hart and Mohun could not prop

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Conquest Of Granada By The Spaniards

Event Comment: William Cartwright's The Lady Errant was licensed by Sir Henry Herbert to the Duke's Company on this date. See Bentley, Jacobean and Caroline Stage, III, 128-32

Performances

Performances

Mainpiece Title: London's Resurrection To Joy And Triumph

Performance Comment: Celebrious to the much meriting Magistrate Sir George Waterman Knight, Lord Mayor of the City of London. At the Peculiar and Proper Expences of the Worshipful Company of Skinners. Jacob Hall (the rope dancer).

Performances

Mainpiece Title: London Triumphant; Or, The City In Jollity And Splendour

Performance Comment: ...Invented and performed for Congratulation and Delight of the well deserving Governour, Sir Robert Hanson Knight, Lord Mayor of the City of London. At the Cost and Charges of the Worshipful Company of Grocers.
Event Comment: A troupe of foreign comedians under Tiberio Fiorelli had arrived by this date, for on this day the Customs Commissioners were ordered to admit their clothes, scenes, and other equipment. See CSP, Treasury Books, 1672-1675, p. 119 (in Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 119; Boswell, Restoration Court Stage, p. 118). E. Cholmeley to Lady Harley, April 1673: Pray tell Sir Edward that I now want him to go to the new play 'for the Italian comedian Scarramouch is come, which are things I know hee delights in not a little' (HMC, 14th Report, Appendix, Part II [1894], p. 337)

Performances

Performances

Mainpiece Title: London In Its Splendor

Performance Comment: Consisting of Triumphant Pageants, whereon are Represented many Persons Richly Arrayed, Properly Habited, and significant to the Design. With several Speeches, and a Song, Suitable to the Solemnity. All prepared for the Honour of the Prudent Magistrate, Sir William Hooker Kt. Lord Mayor of the City of London. As also, a Description of His Majesties Royal Entertainment at Guildhall, by the City, in a plentiful Feast, and a glorious Banquet. At the Peculiar Expences of the Worshipful Company of Grocers.
Event Comment: The Duke's Company. The Diary of Robert Hooke (p. 108): To Hoskins with Sir Ch. Wren. By water with him to the Playhouse. Saw Tempest. Paid 3sh

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Tempest

Related Works
Related Work: The Tempest Author(s): William ShakespeareSir William Davenant
Related Work: The Tempest; or, The Enchanted Island Author(s): Sir William Davenant

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Goldsmiths Jubilee; Or, London's Triumph

Performance Comment: Containing, A Description of the several Pageants: On which are Represented, Emblematical Figures, Artful Pieces of Architecture, and Rural Dancing: with the Speeches Spoken on each Pageant. Performed Octob. 29, 1674 for the Entertainment of the Right Honourable and truly Noble Pattern of prudence and Loyalty, Sir Robert Vyner, Kt & Bart, Lord Mayor of the City of London: At the proper Costs and Charges of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths. The King's Most Sacred Majesty and his Royal Consort, their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Dutchess of York, Prince Rupert, The Duke of Monmouth, several Foreign Embassadors, Chief Nobility, and Secretaries of State, honouring the City with their Presence.
Event Comment: John Verney to Sir Ralph Verney, 25 April 1675: The King on Saturday night sent for the keys from the Earl of Clarendon--'tis said the reason is, that last Thursday a play was acted at court, and after orders given that no more should be let in, his lordship came to the door, which the guard refused to open, tho' he told them who he was, on which he broke it open and struck a yeoman of the guard. Some say a chamberlain was never before turned out for beating a yeoman of the guard (HMC, 7th Report, Appendix, [1879], p. 464)

Performances

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Triumphs Of London

Performance Comment: Performed on Friday, Octob. 29. 1675 for the Entertainment of the Right Honourable and truly Noble Pattern of Prudence and Loyalty, Sir Joseph Sheldon Kt, Lord Mayor of the City of London. Containing a true description of the several Pageants with the Speeches spoken on each Pageant. Together with the several Songs sung at this Solemnity. All set forth at the proper Costs and Charges of the Worshipful Company of Drapers. Design'd and Composed by Tho. Jordan, Gent.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: London's Triumphs

Performance Comment: : Express'd in sundry Representations, Pageants and Shows, performed on Monday Octob. 30, 1676, at the Inauguration and Instalment of the Right Honourable Sir ThomasDavies, Kt, Lord Mayor of the City of London. Containing a true Description of the several Scenes and Habits of the Representers, with the Speeches Spoken on each Pageant. All the Charge and Expences of the Industrious Designs, being the sole Undertakings of the Ancient and Right Worshipful Society of Drapers. Being the Second Year without Intermission. Devised and Composed by Tho. Jordan.
Event Comment: The King's Company. This performance is on the L. C. list, 5@141, p. 359. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 346. There is no certainty that this performance is the premiere, but as the play was licensed for printing on 9 Jan. 1676@7, this performance may well be the first one. Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, pp.9-10) lists the same cast except for the ommission of Letice. It is not certain which Mrs Knight played Letice. Possibly it was Frances Maria Knight (see Wilson, All the King's Ladies, where she is tentatively listed for that role), but the presence of Mrs Ursula Knight on an undated L. C. list, 3@24, with the date of her swearing into the company given as 12 March 1676@7, it is quite likely that she played this role. (I owe this reference to Ursula Knight to Professor John Harold Wilson.) John Dennis: And when upon the first representations of the Plain Dealer, the Town, as The Authour has often told me, appeard Doubtful what Judgment to Form of it; the foremention'd gentlemen [The Duke of Buckingham, Earl of Rochester, Earl of Dorset, Earl of Mulgrave, Savil, Buckly, Sir John Denham, Waller] by their loud aprobation of it, gave it both a sudden and a lasting reputation (Defense and Defects of Dramatick Poetry, 1725, in The Works of John Dennis, ed. Hooker, II, 277)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Plain Dealer

Related Works
Related Work: The Plain Dealer Author(s): William Wycherley

Performances

Mainpiece Title: London's Triumphs

Performance Comment: Illustrated with many Magnificent Structures and Pageants. On which are orderly expressed Several Stately Representations of Poetical Deities, sitting and standing in great spdendor on several Scenes in proper Shapes. With Pertinent Speeches, Jocular Songs (sung by the City Musick), and Pastoral Dancing. Performed October 29, 1677, for the Celebration, Solemnity and Inauguration of the Right Honourable Sir Francis Chaplin, Knight, Lord Mayor of the City of London. At the Charge and Expences of the Industrious Designs, being the sole Undertaking of the Ancient and Right Worshipful Society of Clothworkers. Designed and Composed by Tho. Jordan.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Man Of Newmarket

Performance Comment: Edition of 1678: The Induction. Enter Prologue at one Door; and just as he addresses to speak, enter Shatteril and Haines at t'other. The Prologue-Mr Clarke; Passal-Wiltshire; Maldrin-Birt; Sir Ral. Nonsuch-Powel; Whiffler-Haines; Swiftspur-Clark; Trainsted-Goodman; Bowser-Griffin; Plodwell-Perin; Breakbond-Moon [Mohun]; Pricknote-Cash [Coysh]; Clevly-Mrs Corbit; Jocalin-Mrs Baker; Quickthridt-Mrs Corey; Luce-Mrs Farle; The Epilogue-Mrs Baker.
Event Comment: The Memoirs of Sir John Reresby, ed. Browning: I was with the King at the French play that night (p. 136)

Performances

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Triumphs Of London

Performance Comment: Performed on Tuesday, October XXIX. 1678. For the Entertainment of the Right Honourable, and truly Noble Pattern of Prudence and Loyalty, Sir James Edwards Knight, Lord Mayor of the City of London. Containing a true Description of the several Pageants, with the Speeches spoken on each Pageant. Together with the Songs sung in this Solemnity. All set forth at the proper Costs and Charges of the Worshipful Company of Grocers. Designed and Composed by Tho. Jordan, Gent.
Event Comment: The Memoirs of Sir John Reresby (p. 168): Being at a play wher I sat near Collonel Macarty, who was shortsighted a gentleman in drinke quarrelled with him, and drawing his sword passed at hime before Macarty was ready, or indeed saw it, and had certainly wounded him had not I putt by the sword with mine that was drawn whilst he recovered himselfe but they were then parted without harm

Performances

Event Comment: The Memoirs of Sir John Reresby (p.181): The Duke of Albemarle carryed me this afternoon to the play, which I had not leisure to take the diversion of for some time

Performances

Performances

Mainpiece Title: London In Luster

Performance Comment: [Projecting Many bright beams of Triumph: Disposed with Several Representations of Scenes and Pageants. Performed with great Splendor on Wednesday, October XXIX. 1679] At the Initiation and Instalment of the Right Honourable Sir Robert Clayton, Knight, Lord Mayor of the City of London. Dignified with divers delightfull Varieties of Presentors, with Speeches, Songs, and Actions, properly and punctually described. All set forth at the proper Cost and Charges of the Worshipful Company of Drapers. Devised and Composed by Tho. Jordan, Gent.
Event Comment: The True News; or, Mercurius Anglicus, 4-7 Feb. 1679@80: On Munday night last happened a great dispute in the Duke's Play-house, some Gentlemen in their Cupps entring into the Pitt, flinging Links at the Actors, and using several reproachfull speeches against the Dutchess of P. and other persons of Honour, which has occasioned a Prohibition from farther Acting, till his Majesties farther pleasyre. A letter written by the Dowager Countess of Sunderland to Henry Sidney, dated 6 Jan. 1679@80 [possibly misdated] refers to disorders which are similar to those recorded in The True News: You must needs hear of the abominable disorders amongst us, calling all the women whores and the men rogues in the playhouses--throwing candles and links--calling my Lord Sunderland traitor, but in good company; the Duke of York?, rascal; and all ended in "God bless his Highness, the Duke of Monmouth. We will be for him against the world." I am told they may be fined a great deal if they are prosecuted. Two of these are knights of shires, Sir Scroope How, and my Lord Wharton's@eldest son; the only sufferer yet is Porter. They are ashamed, I hear, and afraid (R. W. Blencowe, Diary of the Times of Charles the Second by the Honourable Henry Sidney [London, 1843], I, 237)

Performances

Performances

Mainpiece Title: London's Joy; Or, The Lord Mayor's Show

Performance Comment: Triumphantly Exhibited in Various Representations, Scenes, and splendid Ornaments, with divers pertinent Figures and Movements: Performed on Saturday, October XXIX. 1681. At the Inauguration of the Right Honourable Sir John Moore, Knight, Lord Mayor of the City of London. With the Several Speeches, and Songs, which were spoken on the Pageant in Cheapside, and Sung in Guild-Hall during Dinner. All the Charges and Expences of the Industrious Designs being the sole Undertaking of the Worshipful Company of Grocers. Devised and Composed by Tho. Jordan, Gent.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Lord Mayor's Show

Performance Comment: [Being a Description of the Solemnity at the Inauguration of the truly Loyal and Right Honourable Sir William Prichard, Kt. Lord Mayor of the the City of London; President of the Honourable Artillery-Company, and a Member of the Worshipful Company of Merchant-Taylors. Perform'd on Monday September sic] XXX. 1682. With several new Loyal Songs and Catches-.
Event Comment: The United Company. Newdigate newsletters, 20 Jan. 1682@3: Yesterday was acted at the Theatre Royall the first of a new play Entituled the City Politiques the novelty of wch drew a Confluence of Spectators under both Qualifications of Whigg and Tory to hear and behold a Ld Mayor Sheriffs & some Aldermen with their wives in yr usuall formalityes buffoond & Reviled a great Lawyer with his young Lady Jeared and Intreagued Dr Oates pfectly represented berogued & beslaved the papist plott Egregiously Rediculed the Irish Testemonyes Contradictiorily disproved & befoold the Whiggs totally vanquished & undon Law & property men oreruld & there wanted nothing of Artifice in behaviour and discourse to render all those obnoxious & dispised in fine such a medly of occurences intervened that twas a question whether more of Loyalty designe or Rhetorique prvailed but there were mighty clappings among the poeple of both partyes in Expressing either their sattisfaction or displeasure (Wilson, Theatre Notes from the Newdigate Newsletters, p. 81). The Prologue and Epilogue, separately Printed, have 20 Jan. 1682@3 as Luttrell's date of acquisition (Huntington Library) and are reprinted in Wiley's Rare Prologues and Epilogues, pp. 166-69. John Dennis, To Mr --- In which are some Passages of the Life of Mr John Crown, Author of Sir Courtly Nice, June 23, 1719: About that time he writ The City Politicks, on purpose to Satyrize and expose the Whigs; a Comedy so agreeable, that it deserv'd to be writ in a much better Cause: But after he had writ he met with very great Difficulties in the getting it acted. Bennet Lord Arlington, who was then Lord Chamberlain of the King's Houshold, and who had secretly espous'd the Whigs, who were at that time powerful in Parliament, in order to support himself against the Favour and Power of the Lord Treasurer Danby, who was his declared Enemy, us'd all his Authority to suppress it. One While it was prohibited on the account of its being Dangerous, another while it was laid aside on the pretence of its being Falt and Insipid; till Mr Crown at last was forc'd to have Recourse to the king himself, and to engage him to give his absolute Command to the Lord Chamberlain for the acting of it; which Command the King was Pleas'd to give in his own Person (I, 49-50). Morrice Entry Book, Vol.1 1682@3: Mr Crowne [was cudgled on Wednesday last in St Martin's Lane and] hee that beat him said hee did it at the suite of the Earle of Rochester some time since deceased who greatly abused in the play for his penetency &c. (p. 353. I owe this note to the courtesy of Professor David M. Vieth of the University of Kansas and Professor G. H. Jones of Kansas State University)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The City Politiques

Event Comment: Lord Preston (in Paris) to the Duke of York, 22 Sept. 1683, N.S.: I should not have presumed to give your Highness the trouble of this if something of charity had not induced me to it. I do it at the instance of a poor servant of his Majesty's who some time since was obliged by a misfortune to leave England. It is Mr Grahme [Grabut?], sir, whom perhaps your Highness may remember. Mr Betterton coming hither some weeks since by his Majesty's command, to endeavour to carry over the Opera, and finding that impracticable, did treat with Monsr Grahme to go over with him to endeavour to represent something at least like an Opera in England for his Majesty's diversion. He hath also assured him of a pension from the House, and finds him very willing and ready to go over. He only desireth his Majesty's protection when he is there, and what encouragement his Majesty shall be pleased to give him if he finds that he deserves it (HMC, 7th Report, Part I, p. 290). W. J. Lawrence (Early French Players in England, p. 149) argued that Grahme should be Grabut, who had once been Master of the King's Music (to 1674) and who had settled in Paris. Grabut was certainly back in London in the spring of 1684

Performances