Event Comment: For an account of the play, see John Wilson's The Cheats, ed. Milton C. Nahm (Oxford, 1935). It was licensed on 6 March (p. 124), acted, then forbade on 22 March in an order: Letter to Mr Tho. Killigrew: Signifying the Ks Pleasure that the New Play called the Cheates be no more represented till it be reuiewed by Sir Jo. Denham & Mr Waller. 22 March. 1662-3 (p. 130). Abraham Hill to John Brooke, 28 March 1663: P.S. The new play, called The Cheats, has been attempted on the Stage; but it is so scandalous, that it is forbidden (Familiar Letters of? Abraham Hill, [London, 1717], p. 103. Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, p. 16) concerning Lacy: @For his just Acting, all gave him due Praise,@His Part in the Cheats, Jony Thump, Teg and Bayes,@In these Four Excelling, The Court gave him the Bays.

Event Comment: Adapted for the stage, as alter'd from Milton's Masque at Ludlow Castle (General Advertiser). Benefit for Beard. Ready Money #94 15s., plus #102 9s. from tickets. Charges #60. Paid Mrs Lane for Rent of Cowley in full to Michaelmas last #41. (Account Books, Egerton 2268) [Cowley was Rich's estate at Uxbridge. Notice about Amphitheatre (see 23 March) repeated.] Tickets of Beard at his house in Red Lyon Square

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. This performance is on the L. C. list, 5@142, p. 81: At the Virtuoso. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 348. Nell Gwyn also attended this performance; see VanLennep, Nell Gwyn's Playgoing, p. 407. The Diary of Robert Hooke, 25 May 1676: Mr Abraham Hill gave J. Hoskins, Aubery and I an account of Vertuoso play. A song, How retched is the slave to love, the music by Francis Forcer, is in Choice Ayres and Songs, The Second Book, 1679. Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, p. 37): The Libertine and Virtuoso: Both Wrote by Mr Shadwell; they were both very well Acted, and got the company great Reputation

Event Comment: Betterton's Company. This performance was probably the first day of this revival, for Matthew Prior wrote to Abraham Stanyan, 8 Jan. 1699@1700: To-morrow night Betterton acts Falstaff, and to encourage that poor house the Kit Katters have taken one side-box and the Knights of the Toast have taken the other (HMC, Bath MSS. [London, 1908], III, 394). See also 28 Jan. 1699@1700. The play was advertised in the London Gazette, No. 3601, 13-16 May 1700, and the title page states: Reviv'd, with Alterations. Written Originally by Mr Shakespear

Event Comment: To Macklin the Player: The Laity as well as Priests of all Religons are the same. Macklin, Thou mayst remember when thou wert learning the part of Shylock in the Merchant of Venice, thou camest daily to the Change, and artfully dids't introduce thyself into my company, till thou hads't stolen my Face, my Looks, and not content with the Index, thou did'st turn over the volume of my Mind, as it if thy Author had been wanting in the manner of his character, and dids't show me on the stage to the Disgrace of my Tribe, for which we wish thee not in Abraham's Bosom, thou may'st be sure. Now if thou hast a mind to compromise the Affair, and serve thyself at thy Benefit time, publicly delcare what Place thou did'st frequent, and what set of Christians thou did'st herd with, before thou playd'st the part of Iago in the Moor of Venice; Comply and our Rancor to thee will be turn'd into Love and Service. s@Zorobabel. PS I will call to thee tonight at thy Synagogue in the Hay-market, about the sixth Hour, as you players reckon, for intelligence.-Daily Advertiser

Event Comment: Receipts: #124 7s. 6d. Barry's 1!3 of surplus came to #14 15s. 10d. [Three new Renters came in: James Partridge, Abraham Langford, William Williams at 1 share each] (Account Book)

Event Comment: This Play is alter'd by Mr Lenox from Eastward hoe! it was well perform'd and had Applause--some hisses at the End it won't do much (Hopkins Diary). Characters new dress'd in Habits of the Time. (MacMillan's note from Kemble differs slightly.] Paid Mr Abrahams by Mr D. G. #40; Mr Caesar for Trimmings #6 16s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book). [Long review of the play and its merits and demerits as an adaptation appeared in the Westminster Magazine for Nov. It was approved of in general.] Receipts: #189 8s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Mr Abrahams by order #20. Receipts: #240 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid salary list #624 6s. 6d.; Abrahams (Jew) #30. Receipts: #163 7s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: By Desire. Benefit for Miss Abrams (who perform'd the Little Gipsey). Tickets deliver'd for The Maid of the Mill, and by Mr Norris and Mrs Veal will be taken. Rec'd Stopages #11 9s. 6d. Paid salary list #621 16s. 6d.; Mr Gardner (By Order) one night #5 5s. Receipts: #78 16s. Charges: #70 5s. 6d. Profits to Miss Abrahams: #8 10s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Bransby and Burton. Paid Miss Abrahams #50; Ditto to Mr Bate for the Music of the Blackamoor #50; Paid for convicting a pickpocket 10s. Receipts: #54 17s. Charges: #64 16s. 6d. Deficit to Bransby and Burton: #9 19s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)