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

Event Comment: Boxes 8s. Pit 5s. First Gallery 2s. 6d. Upper Gallery 1s. 6d. The two Benches in the Pit to be railed in at the Price of the Boxes. The Boxes upon the Stage half a Guinea

Event Comment: Colman's Opera Register: After these Two Nights [10 and 14 Jan.] Mr Swiny Brakes & runs away & leaves ye Singers unpaid ye Scenes & Habits also unpaid for. The Singers were in Some confusion but at last concluded to go on with ye operas on their own accounts, & divide ye Gain amongst them

Event Comment: Colman's Opera Register: Ye House was better filled at this than at ye former Two Operas

Event Comment: Afterpiece: [By Colley Cibber. Music by Dr Pepusch.] A New Musical Masque...in two several Interludes, compos'd after the Italian manner and perform'd all in English. N.B. A Printed Book of the Masque will be given each Person that pays in the Pit or Boxes

Event Comment: Afterpiece: [By Charles Johnson.] A New Farce of Two Acts only