03 May 1688
Event Information
Theatre:
Drury Lane Theatre
Theatrical Season:
1684-1685
Volume:
1
Comments:
The United Company. The date of the first performance is not certain, but it was very likely this day. Writing on 12 May 1688, Peregrine Bertie states that it had been acted nine days successively. If the ninth performance fell on Friday 12 May, the premiere probably occurred on Wednesday 3 May. The Prologue and Epilogue, printed separately, are reprinted in Wiley, Rare Prologues and Epilogues, pp. 261-63. Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, p. 41): This Play by its Excellent Acting, being often Honour's with the presence of Chancellor Jeffereies, and other great Persons had an Uninterrupted run of 13 Days together. Note, The Poet receided for his third Day in the House in Drury Lane at single Prizes 130 l. which was the greatest Receipt they ever had at that House at single Prizes. Dedication, Edition of 1688: This, I must confess, made me hope for success upon the Stage, which it met with, but so great, as was above my expectation (in this Age which has run mad after Farces) no Comedy, for these many years, having fill'd the Theatre so long together: And I had the great Honour to find so many Friends, that the House was never so full since it was built, as upon the third day of this Play; and vast numbers went away, that could not be admitted. For Leigh as Belfond Sr, see Cibber, Apology, ed. Lowe, I, 147-48; and for Underhill as Lolpoop, I, 154-55. For further comment upon the play, see 12 May 1688
Performance List
Mainpiece
Title:
The Squire Of Alsatia
Comments:
Edition of 1688: Prologue to the Squire of Alsatia-Mr Mountfort; Sir William Belfond-Leigh; Sir Edward Belfond-Griffin; Belfond Sr-Jevon; Belfond Jr-Mountfort; Freeman-Bowman; Cheatly-Samford; Shamwell-Powel Jun; Captain Hackum-Bright; Scrapeall-Freeman; Attorney-Powell Sr; Lolpoop-Underhill; Termagant-Alexander [Verbruggen?]; Teresia-Mrs Knight; Isabella-Mrs Mountford; Ruth-Mrs Cory; Lucia-Mrs Bracegirdle; Mrs Termagant-Mrs Bowtell; Epilogue-Mrs Mountfort.
Edition of 1688: Prologue to the Squire of Alsatia-Mr Mountfort; Sir William Belfond-Leigh; Sir Edward Belfond-Griffin; Belfond Sr-Jevon; Belfond Jr-Mountfort; Freeman-Bowman; Cheatly-Samford; Shamwell-Powel Jun; Captain Hackum-Bright; Scrapeall-Freeman; Attorney-Powell Sr; Lolpoop-Underhill; Termagant-Alexander [Verbruggen?]; Teresia-Mrs Knight; Isabella-Mrs Mountford; Ruth-Mrs Cory; Lucia-Mrs Bracegirdle; Mrs Termagant-Mrs Bowtell; Epilogue-Mrs Mountfort.
Cast:
- Role: Prologue to the Squire of Alsatia Actor: Mr Mountfort
- Role: Sir William Belfond Actor: Leigh
- Role: Sir Edward Belfond Actor: Griffin
- Role: Belfond Sr Actor: Jevon
- Role: Belfond Jr Actor: Mountfort
- Role: Freeman Actor: Bowman
- Role: Cheatly Actor: Samford
- Role: Shamwell Actor: Powel Jun
- Role: Captain Hackum Actor: Bright
- Role: Scrapeall Actor: Freeman
- Role: Attorney Actor: Powell Sr
- Role: Lolpoop Actor: Underhill
- Role: Termagant Actor: Alexander
- Role: Teresia Actor: Mrs Knight
- Role: Isabella Actor: Mrs Mountford
- Role: Ruth Actor: Mrs Cory
- Role: Lucia Actor: Mrs Bracegirdle
- Role: Mrs Termagant Actor: Mrs Bowtell
- Role: Epilogue Actor: Mrs Mountfort.