*p1700 03 05 lif The Way of the World. Edition of 1700: Fainall-Betterton; Mirabell-Verbruggen; Witwoud-Bowen; Petulant-Bowman; Sir Willful Witwoud-Underhill; Waitwell-Bright; Lady Wishfort-Mrs Leigh; Millamant-Mrs Bracegirdle; Mrs Marwood-Mrs Barry; Mrs Fainall-Mrs Bowman; Foible-Mrs Willis; Mincing-Mrs Prince; Prologue-Mr Betterton; Epilogue-Mrs Bracegirdle.*c1700 03 05 lif <i>Betterton's Company</i>. The date of the first performance is not known, but $Lucyle Hook=, <i>James Brydges Drops in at the Theatre</i>, <i>Huntington Library Bulletin</i>, VIII (1945), 309, speculates that $James Brydges=' attendance at <i>lif</i> this day may have been prompted by his seeing this new play, as he stayed longer than he often did at a theatrical performance. The comedy was certainly acted before 12 March 1699@1700. James <i>Brydges, Diary</i>: I went to ye play in <i>Lincolns inn fields</i>, where I met $Sr G. Coply=, who set me down after it was ended (<i>Huntington MS</i> St 26). $Downes=, <i>Roscius Anglicanus</i>, p. 45: <i>The Way of the World</i>, a Comdey wrote by $Mr Congreve=, twas curiously Acted; $Madam Bracegirdle= performance her Part so exactly and just, gain'd the Applause of $Court= and City; but being too Keen a Satyr, had not the Success the Company Expected.