SELECT * FROM london_stages WHERE MATCH('(@(authnameclean,perftitleclean,commentcclean,commentpclean) "two American Princes"/1) | (@(roleclean,performerclean) "two American Princes")') 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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We found 1796 matches on Event Comments, 1383 matches on Performance Title, 976 matches on Performance Comments, 418 matches on Author, and 0 matches on Roles/Actors.
Event Comment: Daily Advertiser, 8 Nov.: Last Night there were Bonfires and Illuminations in the City, on account of the Arrival of the Prince of Orange; at [GF] there was a Bonfire also, and Beer for the Populace; the Side of the Theatre was illuminated with a great Number of Candles, and two large Triumphal Arches raised, and likewise illuminated

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Provokd Husband

Afterpiece Title: The Mad Captain

Dance: Masquerade Dance (composed by Thurmond): Le Petit Maitre-D'Vallois; Mlle-Miss Wherrit

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Concert

Performance Comment: music . The Vocal Parts by Gentlemen, particularly a new Hampstead Song, compos'd by Mr Seedo, for two French Horns, Violins, Hautboys, &c. The Instrumental by the best Hands. The Violin Concertino by Capt Dupar, Scholar to the late celebrated Signor Corelli, and late Musick Master to his present Highness the Prince of Orange. With several Pieces of his own composing, for the Violin and Harpsichord. The Concert will consist of three Acts .
Event Comment: By Command of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales [who were present]. Pit and Boxes put together at half a guinea each. First Gallery 5s. Upper Gallery 2s. 6d. London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 8 Nov.: The Box in which their Royal Highnesses sat, was of white Sattin, beautifully Ornamented With Festons of flowers, in their proper Colours, and in Front was a flaming Heart, between two Hymeneal Torches, whose different Flames terminated in one Point, and were surmounted with a Label, on which were wrote, in Letters of Gold, these Words, Mutuus Ardor

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Alcina

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Porter. By Command of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. Written by the late Mr Congreve. The Pit and Front Boxes will be laid together at 5s. Servants may keep Places on the Stage, Side-Boxes, and the two Corner Front-Boxes on each Side of the Pit

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Mourning Bride

Event Comment: By Command of Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales [who were present]. Mainpiece: Written by Beaumont and Fletcher. Afterpiece: Written by the Author of the Toy Shop. [For a letter on the disputes between the footmen and the gentlemen, see Grub St. Journal, 17 March.] [There is in the Bennett Collection, I, 93, in the Birmingham Library, an exceptionally curious advance notice for a performance to be given at Drury Lane soon after Easter of The Conscious Lovers and The Devil to Pay, with no cast for either play in the bill. The announcement appears to refer to the spring of 1737 and presumably appeared around the middle of March. It is intended for the benefit of a Widow under Misfortunes and the bill bears the heading: Gift and Pleasure. According to the announcement, the widow has been left Italian pictures, antiqees, jewels, and precious stones; and she intends, for the encouragement of her benefactors, to make a gift of all the objects, which will be placed in three hundred parcels. Tickets for the performance are advertised at five shillings, and no one is to be admitted without a ticket. The pit and boxes are to be put together at two tickets for each person, and the first and second galleries are placed together at one ticket for each spectator. The tickets are not to be left with the door-keepers as usual, but only shewn and kept. On the day following the benefit a raffle will be held, by Mr Foubert's Patent Mathematical Machine, at Hickford's Great Room in Brewers Street, Golden Square, and only holders of tickets will be admitted to the raffle, After this entry was set, an advertisement was found in the Daily Advertiser, 18 April 1738, announcing this performance for 13 May 1738. The Daily Advertiser on 5 May 1738, however, announced that the proposed performance had been cancelled.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Scornful Lady

Afterpiece Title: The King and the Miller of Mansfield

Event Comment: [T$Their Majesties, Prince and Princess of Wales, Duke, and two eldest Princesses present.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Sabrina

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire. My oath & Mrs Simson's appear'd in ye G: Advertiser, & Mr Fitzpatrick now swore (in ye Inspector) to what before he had given his Honour to--when Woodward appear'd in ye Pant: great Noise, he said gentlemen, if you think the two affidavids to-day not sufficient I will corroberate 'em on Monday with six or Seven more. quiet on Sunday Mr Fitz: waited on Lord Chamberlain, to complain of Woodward's Insolence, my Lord sent for Garrick who told ye whole Story; & upon Mr Fitz owing he threw an apple at him, my Lord said, that act put upon a Footing with ye lowest, & judg'd him the Agressor,--upon wch Fitz; desir'd all affidavids &c shoul'd cease & he wou'd drop his resentment. which was done (Cross). Receipts: #100 (Cross). [In the General Advertiser appeared (1) Letter to the Public from Woodward disclaiming any note of insolence, and accusing Fitzpatrick of having a bad memory; (2) an Affidavit from Cross that he was present and heard Woodward say distincly "Sir I thank you," without any air of menace. He heard this from his prompter's seat "next adjoining the Stage box call'd the Prince of Wale's box"; (3) an Affidavit from Mrs Elizabeth Simson, who was standing in the "First entrance next the stage door, on the Prompter's side," that she heard what Cross Heard and no more, and understood no air of Menace to be present. In the General Advertiser also appeared a letter from one T. C. explaining the approach of Birnam Wood to Dunsinane in Macbeth on the basis of a story told him by a Scots Laird of a nearby castle, to the effect that the Clans used to distinguish themselves in battle by sprays from different trees attached to their bonnets. From this T. C. developed a theory that Macbeth's experience was one of historical face rather tahn a figment of Shakespeare's imagination.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Macbeth

Afterpiece Title: Queen Mab

Event Comment: Benefit for Wood, Sub-Treasurer. Tickets deliver'd out for The Mistake will be taken (playbill). For ye Morocco Embassador, who, tho' unlearn'd in out Language, behav'd as if he understood nature -Mr Wood, the Subtreasurer had Tickets (Cross). [Mrs Frances Brooke, in The Old Maid, for 8 May 1756, gives the following eye-witness account of the evening: "I determined to watch the artless working of [the Ambassador's] surprise, and to catch, as well as I could his sentiments of the theatre, the Audience, the Play, and the performers. And shall give them to my readers, just as they appeared to me. On his first coming to the front of the Box, he was complimented with the Applause of the whole House, which seemed to give him great pleasure, and which he returned by two bows in the English, and afterwards by a reverence in the Moorish manner, which last I thought very graceful...tho' he is rather low of stature, yet his loose flowing robes, and his manner altogether gave him such an air of superiority, that I thought the Audience looked only like his attendants. "The House and Spectators attracted his notice so much for some time, that he seem'd very well entertained before the drawing up of the curtain. At the first scene between the Lords, I thought he looked disappointed, and after a transient view of the stage, directed his eyes again to the company; at the entrance of King Henry his attention was a little recover'd to the performance, but his majesty had not proceeded half way thru the scene, before he burst into a most immoderate fit, of apparently contemptuous laughter, which he repeated very often thro' the whole playing of the part. The manner in which this stranger was affected by it, amongst other considerations, fully convinces me that this character is most ridiculously burlesqued in the representation, and that both Shakespeare and the Monarch are very inhumanly sacrificed, to the polite taste, and elegant distinction of the upper gallery....I could point out many abuses of the like nature, which have increased upon us so much of late, that 'tis almost impossible to attend the theatres, with the expectation of receiving pleasure from some parts of the perfbrmance, without the certainty of suffering equal disgust from others; it was the case of many besides myself, at this of Henry, upon the absurdity of Winchester's brandishing his cane at Canterbury, upon the close of the Council Scene; and yet to give opportunity for this notable stage foolery, the Archbishop and Bishop are both made to walk out of their proper order, tho' in attendance upon the King....His character is drawn by Shakespeare very nearly as it stands in history, and in colours far different from the farcical ones, in which it is the present fashion to represent it. He is described indeed as imperious, but at the same time a great Monarch, and not withstanding his short interjections of anger, he is in my judgment upon every occasion a King. I wish this consideration may prevail with Mr Berry, when he plays this character for the future, to remember that tho' Harry as well as Jobson may be something rough and boistrous, yet the turbulency of a haughty prince, is a very different quality, and must therefore appear in avery different fashion, from the sawciness of an impudent cobbler. "Whatever neglect his Moorish Excellency might discover of this part, he paid great attention to that of Queen Catherine; but nothing seem'd to affect him so stronglyas Miss Young's singing, at which he appeared quite collected, and listened to her with all marks of rapturous admiration; his whole soul appeared touched, and at the end of the song, he joined the house in clapping, a mark of applause I did not observe him give at any other time. "I thought upon the King's kissing Anna Bullen, that he appeared surprized and offended, and looked about, to observe whether others were not affected in the same manner. "The procession was less marked by him than I had expected, but upon the Champion's entry on horseback, he burst into such an Immoderate fit of laughter, as to fall quite back in his seat. "At the end of the play he rose, as if to leave the House, but looked very well pleased upon being informed there was more entertainment to come; in the Pantomime he seem'd surprized and disgusted at the appearance of Harlequin, to whom he did not appear reconciled to the last; his wonder was still greater at the flying of the Genii cross the stage, and other parts of the machinery, which I thought he studied byt was puzzled to account for. He laughed heartily at the Clown, and admired Colombine not a little.... "I am jealous of the honour of my country in all respects. I would have this stranger leave it with as high opinion of our publick entertainments as possible, and could wish that at the Old House, he might see Mr Garrick in Richard or some equally striking part, and at the New, he may be present at plays, where rich dresses, magnificent show and graceful action, and uncommon personal perfections in the principal performers might contribute to give him a more elevated idea of our stage, than he can have receiv'd from King Harry."] Receipts: #210 (Cross)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: King Henry Viii

Afterpiece Title: The Genii

Event Comment: [The playbill assigns the Dauphin to Barrymore but, "Benson performed the Dauphin instead of Barrymore" (Thespian Magazine, Nov. 1792, p. 125). It is not stated who acted Duke of Gloster; doubling these two parts is not likely.] Account-Book: Paid The Prince of Wales's Porter for Performances in Cymon [on 31 Dec. 1791, et seq.] #13 10s. Receipts: #169 9s. 6d. (118.6.6; 46.8.0; 4.15.0)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: At Kings King Henry The Fifth Or The Conquest Of France

Performance Comment: King Henry-Kemble; Duke of Gloster-Benson?; Duke of Bedford-Dignum; Duke of Exeter-Aickin; E. of Westmoreland-Sedgwick; Archbp. of Canterbury-Maddocks; Bishop of Ely-Jones; Cambridge-Webb; Scroop-Cooke; Grey-Bland; Erpingham-Waldron; Gower-R. Palmer; Nym-Burton; Fluellen-Baddeley; Bardolph-Alfred; Boy-Master Gregson; Pistol-Suett; Williams-Whitfield; Bates-Banks; King of France-Packer; Dauphin-Benson; Duke of Burgundy-Phillimore; Constable-Fawcett; Governor-Hollingsworth; Montjoy-Caulfield; Queen of France-Mrs Ward; Princess Katharine-Miss Collins; Hostess-Mrs Booth.

Afterpiece Title: The Liar

Event Comment: Ode: In two Parts. Principal Instrumental Performers as 20 Feb., but omitted: Bridgtower, Archer, Mahon, Lavenu, Napier, Simpson. Mr Ashley is exceedingly concerned that he is under the necessity of informing the Public that the Anthem [The Anthem that will be performed at the Chapel Royal, St. James's, on the Nuptials oF his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and the Princess Caroline of Brunswick, composed by Handel, to conclude with the Hallelujah Chorus from The Messiah (advance playbill of 25 Feb.)] advertised for this Evening is necessarihy postponed until the Royal Marriage shall have taken place

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Alexanders Feast Grand Selection 0

Afterpiece Title: A Grand Miscellaneous Act

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Concert

Music: I: Overture by Carbonell-; Cantata by Arrigoni-Arrigoni; Concerto by St.Martini-St.Martini; Solo on violoncello by St.Martini-Pasqualino; Concerto by Carbonell-; II: Two Songs-Arrigoni; Solo on Hautboy by St.Martini-St. Martini; Concerto on Lute by Arrigoni-Arrigoni; Solo on Violin by Carbonell-; Two Songs by Arrigoni-Arrigoni; Concerto, with two Hautboys and two French Horns, by Carbonell-Anthony, Rash

Performance Comment: Martini=-St.Martini; Solo on violoncello by St.Martini-Pasqualino; Concerto by Carbonell-; II: Two Songs-Arrigoni; Solo on Hautboy by St.Martini-St. Martini; Concerto on Lute by Arrigoni-Arrigoni; Solo on Violin by Carbonell-; Two Songs by Arrigoni-Arrigoni; Concerto, with two Hautboys and two French Horns, by Carbonell-Anthony, Rash.
Cast
Role: Two Songs Actor: Arrigoni
Role: Two Songs by Arrigoni Actor: Arrigoni
Event Comment: Benefit Author of Chrononhotonthologos. Note, the Author gives out no Tickets (a few Boxes excepted) depending intirely upon the Courtesy of the Town. Egmont, Diary, II, 40: After dinner I went to the Haymarket playhouse, where among other representations I saw the strong man show one of his feats. Two chairs were placed on the stage at such a distance as that laying himself along, his head and a small part of his shoulders rested on one, and his feet on the other, so that his body and legs were suspended in the air. Then six grown men (two of whom I observed to be remarkably tall) go up, and stood perpendicular upon his body, two on his chest, two on his body, and two on his legs. He bore them all a quarter of a minute, and bending his body downward till it almost touched the ground between the chairs, with a surprising spring and force raised his body with all that weight upon it, not only level as he lay at first, but higher in the air. The mob of the gallery not satisfied with this, hissed, whereupon he refused to show any other of his tricks

Performances

Mainpiece Title:

Entertainment: The strong Man from Islington (not in Defiance to Mynheer Cajanus) as was Yesterday improperly advertis'd, but out of good Will to the Author, and to oblige the Audience, for that Night only, will perform several surprizing proofs of Manly Strength, unequall'd yet by any

Event Comment: Robert Morris saw this play, but does not state where. It was later given, on 29 Sept., at HAY. See Beverly McAnear, "An American in London, 1735-1736," Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, LXIV (1940), 376

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Love In A Bottle

Event Comment: [Henry is identified in playbill of 15 Nov. He had been acting in America since 1767 (Dictionary of American Biography); and see 18 Apr. 1780.] "We cannot but object to [his] calling handkerchief hand-kercher, according to the old Saxon termination. Perhaps he may be justifiable [sic] on the strict rules of etymology, but singularity always looks like affectation" (Morning Chronicle, 18 Oct.). Receipts: #109 2s. 6d. (91.15.0; 17.2.0; 0.5.6)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Othello

Afterpiece Title: The Elopement

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Phillips. [As mainpiece the playbill announces The Fair American, but on the Kemble playbill it is deleted. Its substitute is listed in the Account-Book.] Receipts: #225 0s. 6d. (107/7/0; 19/9/0; 0/4/6; tickets: 98/0/0) (charge: #106 10s. 6d.)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Maid Of The Mill

Afterpiece Title: The Quaker

Dance: As17821214

Song: End of Act I of mainpiece Gramacbree Molly; End of mainpiece The Soldier tir'd of War's Alarms, both by Miss Phillips

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Jane Shore

Afterpiece Title: The Enchanted Castle

Performance Comment: [Partial cast from score (Longman and Broderip 1787]), and Morning Chronicle, 27 Dec.: Magicians-Darley, Cubitt; Necromancer-Davies; Harlequin-Brown; Zany-Wewitzer; Ballad Singer-Gaudry (who sang "The American Ballad" [i.e. Yankee Doodle]); Hymen-Mrs Martyr; Colombine-Miss Wilkinson; [Larpent MS also lists: Genius of the Wood-; Animals-; Crier-; Shewman-; Master of the Quay-; Mayor-; Giants-; Judge-; Councillor-; Goaler-; Boatman-; Neptune-; Dr Graham-; Bailiff-; Bacchanal-; Nymphs-.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Cheats Of Scapin

Afterpiece Title: The Comical Rivals or The School Boy

Music: As17030423

Dance: The Devonshire Girl, being now upon her Return to the City of Exeter, will perform three several Dances, particularly her last New Entry in Imitation of Mademoiselle Subligni, Whip of Dunboyn by Mr Claxton, her Master-The Devonshire Girl; ...And at the desire of several Persons of Quality (hearing that Mr Pinkeman hath hired the two famous French Girls lately arriv'd from the Emperor's Court), They will perform several Dances on the Rope upon the Stage, being improv'd to that Degree, far exceeding all others in that Art.-two famous French Girls; Newest Humours of Harlequin , as perform'd by him before the Grand Signior at Constantinople-father of two famous French Girls; Also the Famous Mr Evans, lately arriv'd from Vienna, will shew you Wonders of another kind, Vaulting on the Manag'd Horse, being the greatest Master of that kind in the World-Mr Evans

Performance Comment: ..And at the desire of several Persons of Quality (hearing that Mr Pinkeman hath hired the two famous French Girls lately arriv'd from the Emperor's Court), They will perform several Dances on the Rope upon the Stage, being improv'd to that Degree, far exceeding all others in that Art.-two famous French Girls; Newest Humours of Harlequin , as perform'd by him before the Grand Signior at Constantinople-father of two famous French Girls; Also the Famous Mr Evans, lately arriv'd from Vienna, will shew you Wonders of another kind, Vaulting on the Manag'd Horse, being the greatest Master of that kind in the World-Mr Evans.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Concert

Music: First Entertainment: 1. Concerto with Trumpets composed, performed-Grano; 2. A new Italian Concerto by Albinoni-; 3. Singing-Mrs Barbier; 4. Concerto by Carbonelli-; Second Entertainment: Concerto with Two Hautboys and Two Flutes by Dieupart-; 2. Concerto on Bass Viol composed and performed by-Pippo; 3. Singing-Mrs Barbier; 4. Eighth Concerto of Corelli-; Third Entertainment: 1. Concerto by Carbonelli-; 2. Solo on Arch Lute composed, performed-Viebar; 3. Singing-Mrs Barbier; 4. A New Concerto on Little Flute by Woodcocke-John Baston; Solo-Carbonelli; 6. Concerto on Two Trumpets-Grano

Performance Comment: Concerto with Trumpets composed, performed-Grano; 2. A new Italian Concerto by Albinoni-; 3. Singing-Mrs Barbier; 4. Concerto by Carbonelli-; Second Entertainment: Concerto with Two Hautboys and Two Flutes by Dieupart-; 2. Concerto on Bass Viol composed and performed by-Pippo; 3. Singing-Mrs Barbier; 4. Eighth Concerto of Corelli-; Third Entertainment: 1. Concerto by Carbonelli-; 2. Solo on Arch Lute composed, performed-Viebar; 3. Singing-Mrs Barbier; 4. A New Concerto on Little Flute by Woodcocke-John Baston; Solo-Carbonelli; 6. Concerto on Two Trumpets-Grano.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Recruiting Officer

Afterpiece Title: Jupiter and Io

Performance Comment: As17350124, but Pierot-Dove; Two Chimneysweeps-Two Masters Hamilton .
Event Comment: Mainpiece: a new Farce of Two Acts. [Author not known. Apparently not printed.]Afterpiece: (by a Company of Singers just imported) A new Musical Burlesque of two Acts, in a Grand Oratorio. [By Henry Carey.] The Musical Connoisseurs are desir'd do take Notice, that the Company keeps up strictly to the Italian Taste, the Notes being full of Grandeur and Harmony, and the Words full of low Nonsense; and as a further Indication of his Attachment, it is so contriv'd, that two powerful Parties are already form'd to support the two beautiful Rivals, Mauxalinda and Margeria; but which of them will carry their Point, Time alone must determine. It will be deem'd a lasting Obligation to any Chronologer, in what University soever presiding, if he will communicate the precise Century Moore of Moore-Hall liv'd in, so that the Hero may be dress'd in Character; but if the Recherche should prove too laborious, it is resolv'd he shall come as near the Figure of the Divine Farinello as possible. N.B. The Dragon was intended to have charm'd the City at Stationer's Hall; but from a Punctilio very common to Singers, he insisted on exerting his Musical Faculty at the Hay-Market. Admission: 5s., 3s., 2s. 7 p.m

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Lordly Husband

Afterpiece Title: The Dragon of Wantley

Event Comment: Never acted. [See Genest's comment (IV, 618) derived from Cumberland and the London Magazine-its appeal to the fashionable circles, its damnation at first performance because of the hanging of Harlequin in full view, and its modification thereafter. See 18 June and Horace Walpole to George Montagu [Arlington Street] July 28, 1761: I came to town yesterday through clouds of dust to see The Wishes, and went ac- [I, 381] tually feeling for Mr Bentley, and full of the emotions he must be suffering. What do [you] think in a house crowded was the first thing I saw! Mr and Madam Bentley perked up in the front boxes and acting audience at his own play--no, all the impudence of false patriotism never came up to it! Did one ever hear of an author that had couraee to see his own first night in public? I don't believe Fielding or Foote himself ever did--and this was the modest bashful Mr Bentley, that died at the thought of being known for an author, even by his own acquaintance! In the stage-box was Lady Bute, Lord Halifax and Lord Melcomb-I must say the two last entertained the house as much as the play-your King was prompter, and called out to the actors every minute to speak louder-the other went backwards and forwards behind the scenes, fetched the actors into the box, and was busier than Harlequin. The curious prologue was not spoken, the whole very ill-acted. It turned out just what I remembered it, the good parts extremely good, the rest very flat and vulgar-the genteel dialogue I believe might be written by Mrs Hannah. The audience was extremely fair. The first act they bore with patience, though it promised very ill-the second is admirable and was much applauded-so was the third-the fourth woeful-the beginning of the fifth it seemed expiring, but was revived by a delightful burlesque of the ancient chorus-which was followed by two dismal scenes, at which people yawned-but were awakened on a sudden by Harlequin's being drawn up to a gibbet nobody knew why or wherefore-this raised a prodigious and continued hiss, Harlequin all the while suspended in the air-at last they were suffered to finish the play, but nobody attended to the conclusion-modesty and his lady all the while sat with the utmost indifference-I suppose Lord Melcombe had fallen asleep [p. 382] before he came to this scene and had never read it. The epilogue was about the King and new Queen, and ended with a personal satire on Garrick-not very kind on his own stage-to add to the judge of this conduct, Cumberland two days ago published a pamphlet to abuse him. It was given out for tonight with more claps than hisses, but I think it will not do unless they reduce it to three acts." [p. 383]. Correspondence with George Montagu. Ed. W. S. Lewis & Ralph Brown. (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1941), I, 381-83] Note: (I, 381n): Bentley's play of The Wishes or Harlequin's Mouth Opened, was offered to Garrick and Rich the beginning of 1761, but wasrefused by both. His nephew Cumberland showed it to Lord Melcomb, who carried it to Lord Bute, with a compliment in verse to that Lord by Mr Cumberland. Lord Bute showed it to the King, who sent Bentley #200 and ordered the new summer company to play [it]. There was a prologue, flattering the King and Lord Bute which Foote refused to act. Two days before it was played, Cumberland wrote an anonymous pamphlet, addressed to Mr Bentley, and abusing Garrick, who had refused to act Cumberland's tragedy of Cicero's banishment, which he printed this year [1761], unacted. The Wishes were played for the first time July 27th, 1761; the 2d 3d and part of the 4th, acts were much applauded, but the conclusion extremely hissed. The Epilogue concluded with a satire on Garrick. It was acted five nights. About the same time he wrote a tragedy called Philodamus, which he was to read to Garrick, but the latter was so angry at their treatment of him, that he declared against seeing Mr Bentley" (MS account by HW of Bentley's writings, in the collection of Lord Waldegrave at Chewton Priory)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Wishes Or Harlequins Mouth Opened

Dance: Master Rogier, Miss Capitani

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Mans The Master

Performance Comment: Edition of 1669: Prologue-; Epilogue in a Ballad-Two; [Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, p. 30): Master-Harris; The Man-Underhill; Singing the Epilogue [like two Street Ballad-Singers-Mr Harris, Mr Sandford. [According to the Catalogue of the MS Music, Christ Church, John Bannister set a song for this play.]According to the Catalogue of the MS Music, Christ Church, John Bannister set a song for this play.]
Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the premiere is not known, but the fact that the play was advertised in the Post Boy, 12-16 Dec. 1695, suggests that it was probably first acted not later than November 1695. The edition of 1696 mentions two songs and their performers: A lass there lives upon the green, the words by an unknown hand, set by Courteville, and sung by the Boy to Miss Cross; and Bright Cynthia's pow'r divinely great, words by Mr Cheek, set by Courtevill, sung by Leveridge. These two songs are also in Deliciae Musicae, The Fourth Book, 1696, as is a third, Celemene, pray tell me, set by Henry Purcell and sung by the Boy and Girl. The words were written by D'Urfey; and the Boy presumably was Bowen, and the Girl, Miss Cross. See Purcell's Works, Purcell Society, XXI (1917), v-vi. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 19: Sullen: Oronooko. Ramble: Oh! the Favourite of the Ladies. Sullen: It had indeed uncommon Success, and the Quality of both Sexes were very kind to the Play, and to the Poet: No doubt it has Merit, particularly the last Scene; but 'tis as certain, that the Comick Part is below that Author's usual Genius. Ramble: I have a particular regard for Mr Southern's Stile and agreeable Manner; there's a Spirit of Conversation in every thing he writes. Sullen: I think very few exceed him in the Dialogue; his Gallantry is natural, and after the real manner of the Town; his acquaintance with the best Company entered him into the secrets of their Intrigues, and no Man knew better the Way and Disposition of Mankind. But yet I must say, his Diction is commonly the best part of him, especially in Comedy; but in Tragedy he has once in this, and in one other, Drawn the Passions very well

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Oroonoko

Event Comment: Post Man, 5-8 Sept. 1696: At Mr Barns's Booth in Southwark Fair, near St Georges Church, will be seen the only English, Dutch, Spanish, High German and Indian Companies of Rope-Dancers, who are all five joined together, and will perform such variety of Dancing, Walking, Vaulting and Tumbling; the like was never seen in England before. 1st, You will see the famous Indian Woman and her Company. 2. You will see the High German Company. 3. You will see the Spanish Company dance excellently well on the Low Rope. 4. You will see the two famous Dutch Children, who are the wonder and admiration of all the Rope Dancers in the World of their Sex and Age. 5. You will see the two famous Englishmen, Mr Edward Barns of Rederiff, and Mr Appleby, who are the only two Master Ropedancers and Tumblers in the old world; also you may see Mr Edward Barnes dance with a Child standing on his shoulders, and with 2 children at his Feet, in Jack-boots and Spurs, and cuts Capers a yard and a half high, and dances a Jig on the Rope with that variety of steps, that few, or no Dancing Masters can do the like on the ground: He likewise walks on a slack Rope no bigger than a penny Cord, and swings himself 6 or 7 yards distance. Afterwards you will see the famous Indian Woman Vault the High Rope with great dexterity. Likewise you will see the famous Mr Appleby, who is the only Tumbler in all Europe, fling himself over 16 mens heads, through 12 Hoops, over 14 Halbards, over a Man on Horseback, and a Boy standing upright on his Shoulders. You will likewise the entertained with good Musick. The merry Conceits of Harlequin and his Son Punch. You will see the English and Dutch Flag on the top of the Booth. Vivat Rex. We shall play in this place 12 days

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Entertainments

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

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Entertainments