Event Comment: The United Company.
The exact date of
the first production is not known, but
the play was entered in
the Term Catalogues, February 1691@2, and mentioned in
the Gentleman's Journal, February 1691@2 (licensed 12 February 1691@2). In all probability, it was first acted not later than January 1691@2.
The music to one song,
As soon as the Chaos, was composed by
Henry Purcell. See
Purcell, Works,
Purcell Society, XX (1916), xvii. Two songs--
Bonny lad prithee lay thy pipe down, with music by
Tollet;
Great Jove once made love like a bull, with music by
Mountfort--are in
The Banquet of Musick,
The Sixth and Last Book, 1692. Dedication, Edition of 1692: Having at last so well acquitted it self on
the Stage (tho'
the thronging, imperfect Action, and worse than all,
the faulty length, which I will never be guilty of again, render'd it
little Diversion
the first day). A Letter to
Mr D'Urfey [by
Charles Gildon], Edition of 1692: If
there be any fault in this Play, 'tis that which few are guilty of; that is,
there are too many good Characters, too full of Humour, a very Pardonable failing, which only proceeds from Variety,
the life of Pleasure and Wit, tho' that gave it
the disadvantage of seeming too long
the first days Acting, tho'
the Stage's being throng'd with Spectators, did not a
little contribute to
the imperfect Acting of it, which accidental Misfortunes concurring with
the Endeavours of an opposite Faction, must needs have damn'd it, had it not by
the Force and Vigour of its own Worthy, rais'd it self
the second day with
the general Applause of all that saw it....But
the Marriage-hater went fur
ther, and in spight of all
the disadvantages it labour'd under of Action and Audience, pleas'd on, after several times Repetition. See also
Poeta Infamis; or, A Poet not worth Hanging (1692) for a variety of comments upon this play.
London Mercury, 26 Feb. 1691@2: Query 4. Whe
ther in Justice he [
D'Urfey] is not obliged to present
Mr Dogget (who acted
Solon to so much Advantage) with half
the Profit of his Third Day, since in
the Opinions of most Persons,
the good Success of his Comedy was half owing to that admirable Actor? Query 5. Whe
ther, if
there be any Wit in bringing a Person upon
the Stage with an extravagantly broad-brimmed Hat, and a Muff of
the same Size, so it will not be a very easy Matter for
the next Poet that writes a Play, to Out-hat and Out-muff his Predecessors, and consequently to Out-wit him?
Downes,
Roscius Anglicanus, p. 42: Mr Dogget perform'd
the part of Solon Inimitably.
Gentleman's Journal, p. 454, February 1691@2 (licensed 12 Feb. 1691@2): I send you
the Marriage-hater match'd, a new Comedy by Mr Durfey; it hath met with very good success, having been plaid six days toge
ther, and is a diverting Play.
Gentleman's Journal, January 1691@2: Now I speak of Music I must tell you that we shall have speedily a new Opera, wherein something very surprising is promised us; Mr Purcel who joyns to
the Delicacy and Beauty of
the Italian way,
the Graces and Gayety of the French, composes
the Music, as he hath done for
the Prophetess, and
the last Opera called
King Arthur, which hath been plaid several times
the last Month [presumably December 1691]