Event Comment: The
United Company. The date of the first performance is not certain, but it was very likely this day. Writing on 12 May 1688,
Peregrine Bertie states that it had been acted nine days successively. If the ninth performance fell on Friday 12 May, the premiere probably occurred on Wednesday 3 May. The
Prologue and Epilogue, printed separately, are reprinted in
Wiley,
Rare Prologues and Epilogues, pp. 261-63.
Downes (
Roscius Anglicanus, p. 41): This Play by its Excellent Acting, being often Honour's with the presence of
Chancellor Jeffereies,
and other great Persons had an Uninterrupted run of 13 Days together. Note, The Poet receided for his third Day in the House in
Drury Lane at single Prizes 130 l. which was the greatest Receipt they ever had at that House at single Prizes.
Dedication, Edition of 1688: This, I must confess, made me hope for success upon the Stage, which it met with, but so great, as was above my expectation (in this Age which has run mad after Farces) no Comedy, for these many years, having fill'd the Theatre so long together:
And I had the great Honour to find so many Friends, that the House was never so full since it was built, as upon the third day of this Play;
and vast numbers went away, that could not be admitted. For
Leigh as
Belfond Sr, see
Cibber, Apology, ed.
Lowe, I, 147-48;
and for
Underhill as
Lolpoop, I, 154-55. For further comment upon the play, see 12 May 1688