Event Comment: The Duke's Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but a copy in the British Museum (161 d 20) has a MS date, 27 Jan. 1681@2, and the play was advertised in True Protestant Mercury, 4-8 Feb. 1681@2; hence it was probably first presented in early January, perhaps late in 1681

Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the premiere is not known, although a reference in the text to 1690 suggests that the play may have been produced in that year; but the fact that it was not advertised in the London Gazette until 6-9 April and not entered in the Term Catalogues until May 1691 suggest that it posaibly appeared early in 1691. This play was discussed in Wit for Money, or Poet Stutter; A Dialogue between Smith, Johnson, and Poet Stutter; containing Reflections on some late Plays, and particularly on Love for Money, or The Boarding School. The British Museum copy of this pamphlet has a manuscript date of 23 April 1691. Downes, Roscius Anglicanus, p. 42: The Boarding School; Wrote by Mr Durfy, it took well being justly Acted. Earl of Ailesbury, mid-January 1690@1: My Lady Fenwick was a great intriguer, and had always castles in the air in her imagination to that degree, that I was present at a play where she was brought in. If I mistake not it was The Boarding School, and the famous comic, Mr Lee, in woman's clothes represented her to the life, and so exactly had her features and complexion that one could hardly have distinguished one from the other (Memoirs, [London, 1890], II, 390-91)

Event Comment: Luttrell, A Brief Relation, IV, 586: This day the strong Kentish man was shewn at the play house in Dorset Garden, where he drew against a horse, and lifted 20 hundred weight: the boxes 10s. apeice, and the pit 5s. [Other accounts are in a newsletter in the Burney Collection (British Museum) and in the Post Man, 25-28 Nov. 1699.

Event Comment: An order of the Court of Common Council for London forbids any performances of plays or interludes at Bartholomew Fair. See a broadside in the British Museum [1851 b. 25 (25)], reported by Alfred Jackson, Review of English Studies, XIV (1938), 55. Flying Post, 22-25 June 1700: The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor and Court of Alderman have ordered that no Play-house Bills be affix'd on any Post, &c. in this City; and the like Orders are resolved on in Westminster

Event Comment: Benefit Johnson. At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Written by the Famous Ben. Johnson. [First announced for 19 May-see a playbill in the British Museum (Press Mark 11795 g 19)--it was deferred by the "extream hot Weather."

Event Comment: [In Daily Courant, 9 Dec., The British Enchanters had been announced for this day.

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Knight. At the particular Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Receipts: money #27 17s. 6d. and tickets #23 13s. The Epilogue was printed in Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer, 7 April, with a note: The Author of the following Epilogue would never have thought of publishing such a Trifle, but to let the Town see that scandalous Piece (as some were pleas'd to call it) not fit to be spoken. Mrs Knight's Zeal to the Government (which she has always express'd at the Worst of Times) cannot be enough applauded....It was wrote with no other Design than to do her some Service on her Benefit-Day; but has had indeed a quite contrary Effect, and kept back that Part of her Audience whose Money is as good as other Peoples, tho' their Principles (as being Tories) are the worst in the World

Event Comment: Not Acted these Seven Years. All the Habits being intirely New. [The Prologue was printed in Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer, 24 Nov.

Event Comment: Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer, 27 April: Last Tuesday Night Phormio, a Play out of Terence, was acted by the King's Scholars at Westminster, where were present several Lords and other Persons of Quality

Event Comment: Never acted on the British Stage. One of Terence's Comedies. Translated by Mr Echard and Sir Roger L'Estrange

Event Comment: Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer, 14 Sept.: On Thursday...Mr Bullock and Mr Leigh were taken out of their Booth in Southwark, as we hear, upon an Information against them; but being carried before the Lord Mayor, they were releas'd upon Bail

Event Comment: Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer, 21 Sept.: We hear Mr Penkethman will bring his Action against the informing Constables, for breaking open his Booth last Friday was 7-Night, and taking him off the Stage, contrary to the King's Patent, under the Umbrage of which he acts, being sworn Servant to His Majesty; especially against such of them as were out of theirLiberty, when they executed that Office. The Fair will continue Monday and Tuesday Night

Event Comment: Benefit Penkethman, Pack, and Spiller. At Penkethman's Booth near St. George's Church, in Southwark. The Boxes and Pit are laid together, and the Booth will be pull'd down on Thursday. At 6 p.m. Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer, 5 Oct.: Wednesday at the Quarter-Sessions for the Borough of Southwark, Mr Penkethman, Mr Leigh, and other Persons taken out their Booths by the Informing Constables during the Time of the Fair, appear'd upon their Recognizances, and were immediately Discharg'd, there being no Prosecution, upon which Occasion the Recorder severely reprimanded the Constables for presuming to molest such as Acted upon a Lawful Patent, whilst they let others pass undisturb'd, who were really under the Censure of the Act against Strolling, or Vagrant Players

Event Comment: Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer, 14 Dec., has an essay on this play

Event Comment: Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer, 4 Jan. 1718: On Monday last was Interr'd the famous Mrs Mynns, who had for so many Years constantly kept a Booth in Bartholomew and Southwark Fair. She was a Woman of a very Masculine Temper, and govern'd the Legions under her Power with great Justice and Exactness....She has left three or four Thousand Pounds behind her

Event Comment: Benefit the Author of Afterpiece. At the particular Desire of several Ladies of Quality. On this day, Quin and Bowen fought a duel. Bowen died on 20 April of his wounds. According to the Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer, 26 April: The two falling out about which of them was the honestest man, and a Wager being laid, thereon it was given in favour of [Quin], whereupon [Bowen] went to the Pope's Head Tavern in Cornhill and sending thither for Quin, oblig'd him to fight

Event Comment: Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer, 12 July: On Thursday last, Mr Quin was try'd at the Old Baily for killing Mr Bowen, the Comedian, and the Jury found it Manslaughter. Weekly Journal or Saturday's Post, 12 July: Quin the Comedian was burnt in the Hand for killing Bowen

Event Comment: By His Royal Highness's Command. Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer, 30 Aug.: On Saturday when his Royal Highness the Prince was at Mr Penkethman's Theatre...he was plas'd to Enquire what Entertainments he and Mr Bullock had in Southwark Fair. In the meantime Mrs Leigh, Daughter of the late Mrs Minns, is preparing for Bartholomew-Fair; but not Bullock and Leigh as some People imagine

Event Comment: Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer, 4 Oct.: His Majesty, and their Highnesses the Young Princesses were at the Play...the House being very full

Event Comment: The Prologue, spoken by Wilks, was printed in Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer, 14 Nov

Event Comment: Not Acted these Ten years [but see 22 Dec. 1713]. By His Royal Highness's Command. Written by Ben Johnson. [Prince and Princess present. The Epilogue is in Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer, 16 Dec.

Event Comment: Benefit Legare. Mainpiece: Written by the late Mr Otway. Receipts: money #25 1s.; tickets #39 9s. Weekly Journal or British Gazetteer, 7 April: Mr Christopher Bullock, the Comedian, died Thursday Morning of a Fistula and a Consumption

Event Comment: [By Sir Richard Steele.] With new Scenes, and all the Characters new drest. Daily Journal, 8 Nov.: Where a greater Concourse of People was never known to be assembled. [See also Cibber, Apology, II, 206; Dennis, Remarks on a Play call'd The Conscious Lovers; and British Journal, 10 Nov. and 8 Dec.

Event Comment: [Text by Haym. Music by Handel.] Admission as 7 Nov. Daily Journal, 14 Jan.: On Saturday Night, his Majesty was at the Opera...and Signiora Catzoni, newly arrived from Italy, perform'd for the first Time, to the Surprize and admiration of the Audience, which was very numerous. [See also London Journal and British Journal, 12 and 19 Jan.

Event Comment: Not Acted these Twelve Years. Receipts: #46 14s. 6d. The Prologue is printed in British Journal, 26 Jan. Weekly Journal or Saturday's Post, 2 Feb.: It was well acted, in all its different Parts, and justly as well as beautifully drest