21 November 1696
Event Information
Theatre:
Drury Lane Theatre
Theatrical Season:
1696-1697
Volume:
1
Comments:
Rich's Company. The evidence for this date as the premiere of The Relapse is Jennens' report on 19 Nov. 1696 that Drury Lane expected to produce a new play on this date, coupled with the fact that Lady Morley saw this play on 25 Nov. 1696. The play was advertised in the Post Boy, 26-29 Dec. 1696. Preface, Edition of 1697: One word more about the Bawdy, and I have done. I own the first Night this thing was acted, some indecencies had like to have happen'd, but 'twas not my Fault. The fine Gentleman of the Play, drinking his Mistress's Health in Nants Brandy, from six in the Morning, to the time he wadled upon the Stage in the Evening, had toasted himself up, to such a pitch of Vigor, I confess I once gave Amanda for gone, and am since (with all due Respect to Mrs Rogers) very sorry she scap'd; for I am confident a certain Lady (let no one take it to herself that is handsome) who highly blames the Play, for the barenness of the conclusion, wou'd then have allowed it, a very natural Close. Gildon, English Dramatick Poets, p. 145: This Play was received with mighty applause. Cibber, Apology, I, 216: This Play (the Relapse) from its new and easy Turn of Wit, had great Success, and gave me, as a Comedian, a second Flight of Reputation along with it
Performance List
Mainpiece
Comments:
Edition of 1697: First Prologue-Mrs Cross; Prologue on the Third Day-Mrs Verbruggen; Epilogue-Lord Foppington; Sir Novelty Fashion-Cibber; Young Fashion-Mrs Kent; Loveless-Verbruggen; Worthy-Powell; Sir Tunbelly Clumsey-Bullock; Sir John Friendly-Mills; Coupler-Johnson; Bull-Simson; Serringe-Haynes; Lory-Dogget; Amanda-Mrs Rogers; Berinthia-Mrs Verbruggen; Hoyden-Mrs Cross; Nurse-Mrs Powell.
Edition of 1697: First Prologue-Mrs Cross; Prologue on the Third Day-Mrs Verbruggen; Epilogue-Lord Foppington; Sir Novelty Fashion-Cibber; Young Fashion-Mrs Kent; Loveless-Verbruggen; Worthy-Powell; Sir Tunbelly Clumsey-Bullock; Sir John Friendly-Mills; Coupler-Johnson; Bull-Simson; Serringe-Haynes; Lory-Dogget; Amanda-Mrs Rogers; Berinthia-Mrs Verbruggen; Hoyden-Mrs Cross; Nurse-Mrs Powell.
Cast:
- Role: First Prologue Actor: Mrs Cross
- Role: Prologue on the Third Day Actor: Mrs Verbruggen
- Role: Epilogue Actor: Lord Foppington
- Role: Sir Novelty Fashion Actor: Cibber
- Role: Young Fashion Actor: Mrs Kent
- Role: Loveless Actor: Verbruggen
- Role: Worthy Actor: Powell
- Role: Sir Tunbelly Clumsey Actor: Bullock
- Role: Sir John Friendly Actor: Mills
- Role: Coupler Actor: Johnson
- Role: Bull Actor: Simson
- Role: Serringe Actor: Haynes
- Role: Lory Actor: Dogget
- Role: Amanda Actor: Mrs Rogers
- Role: Berinthia Actor: Mrs Verbruggen
- Role: Hoyden Actor: Mrs Cross
- Role: Nurse Actor: Mrs Powell.