*p1663 12 22 lif Henry VIII. $Downes= (<i>Roscius Anglicanus</i>, p.24): King-Betterton; Wolsey-Harris; Duke of Buckingham-Smith; Norfolk-Nokes; Suffolk-Lilliston; Cardinal Campeius, Cranmur-Medburn; Bishop Gardiner-Underhill; Earl of Surry-Young; Lord Sands-Price; Queen Catherine-Mrs Betterton.*c1663 12 22 lif The <i>Duke's Company</i>. On Thursday 10 Dec. 1663, Pepys reported that this play was to be acted the following week, but the date of the first performance is uncertain. But--except for the holidays--it was probably acted on consecutive days until 1 Jan. 1663@4, when Pepys saw it. The play is also in $Herbert=, <i>Dramatic Records</i>, p. 138, as a "Revived Play." <i>Pepys, Diary</i>: I perceive $the King= and $Duke= and the $Court= was going to the Duke's playhouse to see <i>Henry VIII.</i> acted, which is said to be an admirable play. But, Lord! to see now near I was to have broken my oathe, or run the hazard of 20s. losse, so much my nature was hot to have gone thither; but I did not go. $Downes= (p.24): <i>King Henry the 8th</i>, This Play, by Order of $Sir William Davenant=, was all new Cloath'd in proper Habits: The King's was new, all the Lords, the Cardinals, the Bishops, the Doctors, Proctors, Lawyers, Tip-staves, new Scenes: The part of <i>the King</i>r was so right and justly done by $Mr Betterton=, he being Instructed in it by Sir William, who had it from Old $Mr Lowen=, that had his Instructions from $Mr Shakespear= himself, that I dare and will aver, none can, or will come near him in this Age, in the performance of that part: $Mr Harris='s performance of <i>Cardinal Wolsey</i>r, was little Inferior to that, he doing it with such just State, Port, and Mein, that I dare affirm, none hitherto has Equall'd him:...Every part by the great Care of Sir William, being exactly perform'd; it being all new Scenes; it continu'd Acting 15 Days together with general Applause.