Event Comment: The King's Company. This play has generally been assigned to June 1669, partly on the basis of a suit--see Hotson, Commonwealth and Restoration Stage, pp. 252-53, 348-55-over a scene for it which Isaac Fuller, the scene designer, states was finished by 23 June 1669. The suit also states that the play ran for fourteen days, but it is not certain that the theatres played on consecutive days in the summer. The play has been assigned to 24 June 1669 on the basis of a letter from Charles II to Princess Henriette-Anne, dated 24 June [1669]: I am just now going to a new play that I heare very much commended (Cyril Hughes Hartmann, Charles II and Madame [London, 1934], p. 259). Elizabeth Cottington to Herbert Aston, ca. May 1669: Wee ar in expectation still of Mr Draidens play. Ther is a bowld woman [Aphra Behn (?)] hath oferd one: my cosen Aston can give you a better account of her then I can. Some verses I have seen which ar not ill; that is commentation enouf: she will think so too, I believe, when it comes upon the ptage. I shall tremble for the poor woman exposed among the critticks (Arthur Clifford, Tixall Letters [London, 1815], II, 60)

Event Comment: The King's Company. The date of the premiere is not known, but a licensing date of 28 March 1678 suggests a first performance not later than February 1678. One song, One night while all the village slept, with music by Louis Grabu and words by Sir Car Scroop, is in Choice Ayres and Songs, The Third Book, 1681. Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, p. 17): Major Mohun...[in] Mithridates, &c. An Eminent Poet seeing him Act this last, vented suddenly this Saying: Oh Mohun, Mohun! Thou little Man of Mettle, if I should write a 100 Plays, I'd Write a Part for thy Mouth; in short, in all his Parts, he was most Accurate and Correct. [Downes, p. 12, gives an identical cast except for omissions.] Princess Anne apparently played Ziphares and Frances Apsley played Semandra in a production of this drama, probably at St James's Palace or at Sir Allen Apsley's house in St James's Square, between January 1677@8 and August 1679. See Benjamin Bathurst, Letters of Two Queens (London, 1924), p. 61

Event Comment: Apparently The Man of Mode had an amateur revival in Brussels in the autumn, possibly before the Duke and Duchess of York, when they were away from London. Princess Anne to Frances Apsley, 3 Oct. 1679: The play is practisde to night Miss Watts is to be Lady townly which part I beleeve wont much become her. [See Benjamin Bathurst, Letters of Two Queens (London, 1924), pp. 111-12]

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. This is another in the series of Court performances in L. C. 5@145, p. 120. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 350, and 11 Feb. 1679@80. Mountstevens to Henry Stevens, 20 Feb. 1679@80: Upon Sunday the Court is to be in mourning for the death of the Princess Elizabeth, sister to Prince Rupert. (R. W. Blencowe, Diary of the Time of Charles the Second [London, 1843], I, 283)

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. This is another in the series of Court performances in L. C. 5@145, p. 120. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 350, and 11 Feb. 1679@80. It should be noted that not only is this date a Friday in Lent but it is also during the period of mourning for the Princess Elizabeth. Yet to place this performance in 1681 would make it fall on Sunday

Event Comment: The United Company. BM Sloane MS 3929, newsletter: 19 May 1688: On Munday last the King prince and princess were to see a play called the Squire of Alsatia. [I owe this quotation to Professor John Harold Wilson.

Event Comment: London Gazette, No 2651, 6-9 April 1691: The Consort of Vocal and Instrumental Musick lately held in York-Buildings, will be performed again (at the same place and hours as formerly) on Monday next (being Easter-Monday) by the Command, and for the Entertainment, of her Royal Highness the Princess of Denmark

Event Comment: The United Company. Newdigate newsletters, 11 June 1692: And on Monday [the Princess Anne] comes to see the new opera (Wilson, More Theatre Notes from the Newdigate Newsletters, p. 59)

Event Comment: London Gazette, No. 3264, 18-22 Feb. 1696@7: On Wednesday next, being the 24th instant, will be performed at York Buildings, a New Song Set by Signior Baptist, for the Birth Day of Her Royal Highness the Princess, and by Her Royal Highness's Command

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but it cannot be later than December 1698, for the play was advertised in the Post Man, 27-29 Dec. 1698. The play may have been produced earlier in the season, but it apparently followed the two operatic works (The Island Princess and Rinaldo and Armida), as the Epilogue alludes to the "late Singers." It also refers to Sigismondo Fideli, as being lately arrived, and he is known to have given a concert on 22 Dec. 1698

Event Comment: London Post, No. 30, 1-3 Jan. 1700: This day at the Theatre-Royal in Dorset-garden, the Famous Kentish-man Mr Joy, designs to show the same Tryals of Strength, he had the honour of showing before his Majesty, the Prince and Princess of Denmark, and several Persons of Quality, viz. The lifting a weight of 2240 l. Holding an extraordinary large Cart-Horse; and afterwards breaking a Rope that will bear 3500 weight. There will likewise be shewn the Sister, carrying 5 Bushels of Wheat, or any other grain; She being but 15 Years of Age. They will also show on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, beginning at 3 of the Clock, and ending at 4 in the Afternoon. Boxes 3s. Pit 2s. 1st Gallery 1s. Upper gallery 6d

Event Comment: For the Entertainment of their Highnesses the Prince and Princess Landgrave of Hesse

Event Comment: Receipts: #147 3s. 6d. Signora Schiavonetti is announced as in the Service of her Highness the Princess Sophia of Hanover

Event Comment: The Pit and Boxes to be put together, and no Persons to be admitted without Tickets...at half a Guinea each. The Number not to exceed 400. Boxes upon the Stage 15s. Gallery 2s. 6d. And whereas by the frequent calling for the Songs again, the Operas have been too tedious; therefore the Singers are forbid to sing any Song but once; and 'tis hoped no body will call for 'em, or take it ill when not obeyed. The Book of the Opera at 1s. By Command, to begin exactly at 5. [Prince and Princess of Wales present.

Event Comment: As 19 Nov. Prince and Princess of Wales present

Event Comment: As 25 Nov. Prince and Princess of Wales present

Event Comment: By His Royal Highness's Command. Prince and Princess present

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. With New Scenes, Machines, Dances, and all other Decorations, proper to the Play. At Common Prices. [Prince and Princess present.

Event Comment: King, Prince, and Princess present