Event Comment: The Duke's Company. Pepys, Diary: Walking through Lincoln's Inn Fields observed at the Opera a new play, Twelfth Night, was acted there, and the King there; so I, against my own mind and resolution, could not forbear to go in, which did make the play seem a burthen to me, and I took no pleasure at all in it; and so after it was done went home with my mind troubled for my going thither, after my swearing to my wife that I would never go to a play without her

Event Comment: The King's Company. Pepys, Diary: To the King's playhouse, and there saw The English Monsieur; sitting for privacy sake in an upper box: the play hath much mirth in it as to that particular humour. After the play done, I down to Knipp, and did stay her undressing herself; and there saw the several players, men and women go by; and pretty to see how strange they are all, one to another, after the play is done. Here I saw a wonderful pretty maid of her own, that come to undress her, and one so pretty that she says she intends not to keep her, for fear of her being undone in her service, by coming to the playhouse. Here I hear Sir W. Davenant is just now dead; and so who will succeed him in the mastership of the house is not yet known. The eldest Davenport is, it seems, gone from this house to be kept by somebody; which I am glad of, she being a very bad actor.... [Mrs Knepp] tells me mighty news, that my Lady Castlemayne is mightily in love with Hart of their house; and he is much with her in private, and she goes to him, and do give him many Presents; and that the thing is most certain, and Becke Marshall only privy to it, and the means of bringing them together, which is a very odd thing; and by this means she is even with the King's love to Mrs Davis

Event Comment: See 27 Feb. 1668@9. Pepys, Diary: I did meet Sir Jeremy Smith, who did tell me that Sir W. Coventry was just now sent to the Tower, about the business of his challenging the Duke of Buckingham, and so was also Harry Saville to the Gate-house....So, meeting with my Lord Bellassis, he told me the particulars of this matter; that it arises about a quarrel which Sir W. Coventry had with the Duke of Buckingham about a design between the Duke and Sir Robert Howard, to bring him into a play [The Rehearsal] at the King's house, which W. Coventry not enduring, did H. Saville send a letter to the Duke of Buckingham, that he had a desire to speak with him. Upon which, the Duke of Buckingham did bid Holmes, his champion ever since my Lord Shrewsbury's business, go to him to know the business; but H. Saville would not tell it to any but himself, and therefore did go presently to the Duke of Buckingham, and told him that his uncle Coventry was a person of honour, and was sensible of his Grace's liberty taken of abusing him, and that he had a desire of satisfaction, and would fight with him. But that here they were interrupted by my Lord Chamberlain's coming in, who was commanded to go to bid the Duke of Buckingham to come to the King, Holmes having discovered it

Event Comment: Never Acted before. A Tragedy [By John Home]. I went to my Office and then slept [?] in at Drury Lane w here I see Mr and Miss Hayes, Lady Lindores who I see into a coach, I slept in at Covent Garden Gallery before the play, but see nobody I knew so I would not stay, otherwise I would have went out as I had set my mind on the Beggar's Opera for once more, but waived it all & went to my Office (Hailey Brietzcke Diary, Vol. 197, p. 72)

Event Comment: MMr Larpent...called upon me at Somerset House & went to Drury Lane & see Richard 3rd & Harlequin's Invasion & sat in the front Boxes. It was the first play I have seen this winter & I think I shan't be in a hurry to go again till there is better Co[mpany]y in the Boxes. It was not over till 11, went to the Turk's Head & home (Hailey, Brietzcke Diary, N & Q, Vol. 199, p. 260)

Event Comment: HHopkins Diary: This morning a printed paper was handed about requesting the lovers of theatrical Performances to meet this evening at the theatre to insist upon the doors not being opened till five o'clock.--As soon as the curtain was up, they called for Mr Garrick, and would not suffer the play to begin. Mr King went on and told the audience, "that he was desired by the managers to tell them the doors for the future should not be opened till Five," A great Clap,--He added, "that the managers was always willing to oblige the publick in everything that was in their power; but they thought that on very full nights it would be attended with some inconvenience." They would not hear of any alteration,--he then told them, "the doors should always for the future be opened at five, unless the public applyed to have it altered." All then was quiet and the play began. Mr Weston, whose name was in the Bills for Jerry, was taken suddenly ill, and Mr W. Palmer went on for it without an apology.--called out, "Mr Holland, what is the reason we have not Mr Weston according to your publication in the Bills?" They then were told he was taken suddenly ill--"then pray make an apology for him" they said.--Another gentleman called out "Don't answer him, Mr Holland, you do him too much honor by deigning to answer him."--then all was quiet, and the play went on

Event Comment: Evelyn, Diary: Saw a fine Mask at court perform'd by 6 Gent: & 6 Ladys surprizing his Majestie, it being Candlemas day. Pepys, Diary, 3 Feb.: Then Mrs Pickering...did, at my Lady's command, tell me the manner of a masquerade before the King and Court the other day. Where six women (my Lady Castlemayne and Duchesse of Monmouth being two of them) and six men (the Duke of Monmouth and Lord Arran and Monsieur Blanfort, being three of them) in vizards, but most rich and antique dresses, did dance admirably and most gloriously. God give us cause to continue the mirthe!

Event Comment: John Vanbrugh to the Earl of Manchester, 25 Dec. 1699: Miss Evans the dancer at the New Playhouse is dead too; a feaver Slew her in eight and forty hours. She's much lamented by the Towne as well as the House, who can't well bare her loss; Matters running very low with 'em this Winter; if Congreve's Play [The Way of the World] don't help 'em they are undone. 'Tis a Comedy and will be play'd about Six weeks hence, nobody has seen it yet. Liveridge is in Ireland, he Owes so much money he dare not come over, so for want of him we han't had one Opera play'd this Winter; tho' Purcell has set one New One and Fingar another. We have got the Woman from the Chesire Cheese upon the Stage, who has the best Voyce for't by much that has been there at any time. We have the Emperors Crooaed Eunuch here, Francisco. They give him a hundred and twenty Guineas for five times. He has sung Once and was well likt. Dogget was here last Week, they gave him thirty pound to act Six times, which he did and fill'd the house every time (The Complete Works of Sir John Vanbrugh [Bloomsbury: Nonesuch Press, 1928], IV, 4)

Event Comment: At Pinkeman's Booth in Brookfield Market-Place at the East Corner of Hyde Park, to be kept for the space of Sixteen Days, The Booth is easily known by the Picture of the Elephant and Mr Pinkeman sitting in State on his back on the outside of the Booth

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by Dryden. Egerton 2320: Receipts: #80. [For a poem on Mrs Roberts' acting the Queen, see London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 26 Sept.

Event Comment: Last time of performing the Oratorio this season. The Subscribers to Mr Handel's six former performances, who intend to continue their subscription on the same conditions for six more, are desired to send their subscription money to Mr Handel's House in Brook Street, where attendance will be given this day [15 March] in order to deliver out their subscription tickets

Event Comment: A concert, etc. Benefit for Mrs Rachel Hooper, who perform'd Six Years ago at the Theatre Royal in Lincoln's Inn Fields. [Earlier bills listed The Recruiting Officer for this night. Today's bill calls only for a concert.] To begin at six o'clock. (Daily Advertiser)

Event Comment: Admission by tickets only to pit and boxes, not to exceed 400, at 7s. 6d. Stage Boxes half a Guinea. First Gallery 3s. Upper Gallery 1s. 6d. No Person to stand upon the Stage. Receipts: #77 17s. 6d

Event Comment: Admission: boxes 8s., pit 5s., first gallery 3s., upper gallery 1s. 6d., stage boxes half a guinea. And by Order hence-forward to begin precisely at 6 a Clock. Receipts: #84 7s

Event Comment: Benefit Valentini. At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Admission to pit and boxes by tickets only at half a guinea

Event Comment: With an addition of a whole new Scene, consisting of Three Songs, compos'd by Signior Scarlatti, and perform'd by the famous Signior Cavaliero Nicolini Grimaldi. The Scenes, as 2 April. At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Admission to pit and boxes by Printed tickets only. Stage boxes half a guinea. First Gallery 2s. 6d. Upper Gallery 1s. 6d

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. First Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Boxes upon the Stage 8s. Being oblig'd to begin exactly at half an Hour after 5 a Clock. [In Daily Courant, 24 Feb., Venice Preserved had been announced for this day.