Event Comment: Rich's Company. Lady Morley attended this performance: Lady Morley and two in the Box at the Orphan. 12s. See Hotson, Commonwealth and Restoration Stage, p. 378

Event Comment: Betterton's Company. The date of the premiere is not known, but Dryden, on 14 Dec. 1699, indicated that the run of the play had been completed by that day. A copy in the Folger Shakespeare Library has a notice of its publication. Downes, Roscius Anglicanus, p. 45: Iphigenia a Tragedy, wrote by Mr Dennis, a good Tragedy and well Acted; but answer'd not the Expences they were at in Cloathing it. [In The Life of Mr John Dennis (London, 1734) the author states that Colonel Codrington prevailed on all his friends to take tickets for the dramatist's third night.] Preface, Edition of 1700: And from the first representations I expected all the success that I could reasonably desire. I never in my life at any Play took notice of a more strict attention, or, a more profound silence. And there was something like what happen'd at the Representation of Pacuvius his Tragedy. For upon Orestes discovering his passion to Iphigenia in the fourth Act, there was a general murmur through the Pit, which is what I had never seen before. But after three or four representations, several people, who during that time had wholly abandon'd themselves to the Impression which Nature had made on them, began to study how to be discontented by Art; and repented heartily at having been pleas'd with what Athens and Rome and Paris had been pleas'd before. A Comparison between the Two Stages (1702), p. 23: Critick: I must needs Complement him [Dennis] with the Success of his laborious Iphigenia: Ay, here's a Tragedy with a witness--show a more tragick Poet if you can--'twas a smart Epilogue. But I marvel a Man of Mr Dennis's Penetration wou'd suffer, nay beg his Friend to Burlesque him at that unreasonable rate: But the Author was conscious the Audience might mistake it for a Comedy, and so he gets Colonel C-(he was sure his Word wou'd be taken) to tell 'em it was not a Comedy but a Tragedy: The hint was good and necessary, for o' my word very few knew what to make of it before, tho' there were many Tremendous things in't. [The dialogue continues to examine Dennis' Preface, and Dennis's assertions there concerning his play.

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the premiere is not knwon, but the Dedication is dated February 1699@1700, the play was entered in the Term Catalogues in February 1699@1700, and advertised in the Flying Post, 16 March 1699@1700. The latest likely date for the first production is January 1700, but the play may have appeared in late December as a rival to lif's production of I Henry IV early in January 1700. Cibber, Apology, I, 275: But the Master of the Revels, who then licens'd all Plays for the Stage, assisted this Reformation [of the morality of the stage] with a more zealous Severity than ever. He would strike out whole Scenes of a vicious or immoral Character, tho' it were visibly shewn to be reform'd or punish'd; a severe Instance of this kind falling upon my self may be an Excuse for my relating it: When Richard the Third (as I alter'd it from Shakespear) came from his Hands to the Stage, he expung'd the whole first Act without sparing a Line of it. This extraordinary Stroke of a Sic volo occasion'd my applying to him for the small Indulgence of a Speech or two, that the other four Acts might limp on with a little less Absurdity! no! he had no leisure to consider what might be separately inoffensive. [Cibber continues with an explanation of the censor's argument for cutting the act.] Preface to Cibber's Ximena, 1719: Richard the Third, which I alter'd from Shakespear, did not raise me Five Pounds on Third Day

Event Comment: Rich's Company. Lady Morley attended this performance: Lady Morley and three in the Box at Marryage hater. 16s. See Hotson, Commonwealth and Restoration Stage, p. 378. John Dryden to Mrs Steward, 14 Dec. 1699: Both the Iphigenias have been played with bad Success; & being both acted, one against the other, in the same week, clashed together, like two rotten ships, which cou'd not endure the shock; & sunk to rights (The Letters of John Dryden, p. 131)

Event Comment: Betterton's Company. It is not certain that this play was given at this time, but Vanbrugh, writing on 25 Dec. 1699, states that Thomas Dogget, who had been acting in Norwich, was in London "last Week," and acted six times, presumably on 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 Dec. 1699. The Amorous Widow is a likely play for this week, as Barnaby Brittle was one of Dogget's best roles. In addition, the Inner Temple, which usually requested popular plays, selected it for its revels on 3 Feb. 1699@1700. Nearly all the individuals in the cast in the 1710 edition acted in London during this season, with two exceptions: Fieldhouse and Mrs Hunt. Their roles may have been played by them or by other performers if they were not in the company at this time. I owe the suggestion that this was the play in which Dogget appeared to Professor Lucyle Hook

Event Comment: A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), commenting upon Betterton's success with I Henry IV (see 9 Jan. 1699@1700) pictures Betterton entering his Closet and praying to Shakespeare for further assistance (p. 25), with the result that "tho' some of those Plays that Batterton Acted were Historical, and consequently highly irregular, yet they never fail'd to please" (p. 26). Sullen adds: Well, this lucky hit of Batterton's put D. Lane in a non-plus! Shakespear's Ghost was rais'd at the New-house, and he seem'd to inhabit it for ever: What's to be done then? Oh, says Rich I'll pray as well as he-What? Shall a Heathen Player have more Religion than a Lawyer? No, it shall never be said--with that Mr R@@ goes up to the Garret (a pair of Stairs higher than his own Apartment) and taking Ben Johnson's Picture with him, he implores. This work implies that Betterton presented Henry VIII in addition to I Henry IV and that Rich revived Volpone, The Alchymist, and The Silent Woman, which had, according to the author of this work, lain unacted for twenty years (p. 26)

Event Comment: Betterton's Company. The date of the first production is not known, but the Prologue refers to "this Winter," suggesting a date before March 1700. A song, Ah Belinda I am pressed, in this play, appeared in Orpheus Britannica, 1698, the music by Henry Purcell, who had died some years before its appearance in this collection. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), pp. 26-27, referring to the rivalry between lif and dl in reviving Shakespeare and Jonson: The Battel continued a long time doubtful, and Victory hovering over both Camps, Batterton Sollicts for some Auxiliaries from the same Author, and then he flanks his Enemy with Measure for Measure

Event Comment: Rich's Company. Lady Morley attended this performance: Lady Morley and two in the Box at Venice preserved. 12s. See Hotson, Commonwealth and Restoration Stage, p. 378

Event Comment: Rich's Company. Lady Morley attended this performance: Lady Morley and two in the Box at Constant Couple.12s. See Hotson, Commonwealth and Restoration Drama, p. 378

Event Comment: Post Man, 20-23 April 1700: On Saturday last two Gentlemen [according to the Post Boy, 23-25 April 1700, they were Captain Francis and Mr Squibb, of the Exchequer] quarrelled at the Play-house, and one of them was mortally wounded

Event Comment: Rich's Company. Post Boy, 30 May-1 June 1700: The Opera of the Prophetess, being this day Commanded to be Acted, for the Entertainment of the two Alcaids, the Envoys from the Emperor of Morocco. [When this play was revived at lif on 3 Dec. 1715, but Rich's Company, the bill was headed: Not Acted these Sixteen Years.

Event Comment: Rich's Company. Lady Morley attended this performance: Lady Morley and two in the Box at Constant Couple 12s. See Hotson, Commonwealth and Restoration Stage, p. 378. This play was reprinted in 1700

Event Comment: [By Thomas D'Urfey. Premiere.] Preface: The stopping of it from Acting by Superiour command, doing me no manner of Injury, (tho it might the Play-house) but only for two or three days disappointing my friends; the Cause is so trivial...for taking the Poetical Licence of making Mad man in my Scene Satyrically drink a Health, altering it into a modest phrase, (tho somewhat too familiar)

Event Comment: In Honour of the Queen's Coronation: The Lady's Consort of Musick. To be plac'd in two several Quiers on each side of the Hall; a Manner never yet perform'd in England. The Hall to be well illuminated. At 5 p.m. and to hold Three full Hours. Tickets 5s. Note, That the moon will shine, the Tide serve, and a Guard placed from the College to St. James's Park, for the safe Return of the Ladies

Event Comment: At Parker's Booth between the two Rope-Dancers

Event Comment: Benefit Firbank and Bickerstaff. Mainpiece: Not Acted there these Four Years. Afterpiece: The Two Doctors' Scenes from the last Act. [Mrs del'Epine sings] at the Desire of several Persons of Quality [for her last appearance until winter]

Event Comment: At Pinkethman's booth and also at Finley's booth. [In Daily Courant, 28 April and 1, 2, and 3 May, an announcement stated that the two men would continue separate entertainments in separate booths during May Fair.

Event Comment: By subscription, with the pit, front boxes, and two side boxes for the subscribers; the galleries for the house

Event Comment: [in Daily Courant, 7 May, Thomyris had been advertised by subscription for Saturday 10 and Thursday 15 at two guineas for three tickets on each day, the number not to exceed 420 in the front boxes, side boxes, and pit, all to be laid together.

Event Comment: Boxes 8s. Two Benches in the Pit next the Boxes rail'd in, the same Price. Pit 5s. First Gallery 2s. 6d. Upper Gallery 1s. 6d. Stage Boxes half a Guinea. No Person to be admitted to keep Places in the Pit. At 6 p.m

Event Comment: Benefit Estcourt, Two Benches of the Pit being Rail'd in to the Boxes for the Conveniency of the Persons of Quality who have taken Bounty Tickets. Admission: 5s., 3s., 2s., 1s

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. With an entire set of new Scenes, Painted by two famous Italian Painters (lately arriv'd from Venice) and all the other Decorations that were represented in the Opera of Clotilda. Admission as 5 Jan., but no benches railed into the boxes

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. [See Tatler, 26 Nov., on the competitive elements of two playhouses.

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. [In Daily Courant, 12 May, but not later, two afterpieces-The Walking Statue and (new) The Twin Venturers-had been announced for this day.

Event Comment: Admission: boxes 8s., pit 5s., first gallery 2s. 6d., upper gallery 1s. 6d., stage boxes half guinea. Two Benches in the Pit Rail'd in, at the Price of the Boxes