Event Comment: It is uncertain at which theatre this play was performed, but it has been assigned to the King's Company because Pepys saw that company act it on the following day, 27 Nov. Evelyn, Diary: I saw Hamlet Pr. of Denmark played: but now the old playe began to disgust this refined age; since his Majestie being so long abroad

Event Comment: Pepys, Diary: But my wife and I rose from table, pretending business, and went to the Duke's house, the first play I have been at these six months, according to my last vowe, and here saw the so much cried-up play of "Henry the Eighth"; which, though I went with resolution to like it, is so simple a thing made up of a great many patches, that, besides the shows and processions in it, there is nothing in the world good or well done

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. Pepys, Diary: To White Hall, and got my Lord Bellasses to get me into the playhouse; and there, after all staying above an hour for the players, the King and all waiting, which was absurd, saw Henry the Fifth well done by the Duke's people, and in most excellent habits, all new vests, being put on but this night. But I sat so nigh and far off, that I missed most of the words, and sat with a wind coming into my back and neck, which did much trouble me. The play continued till twelve at night. A Prologue for this play is in A Letter from a Gentleman to the Honourable Ed. Howard (London, 1668)

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. Pepys, Diary: To the Duke's house, and saw Macbeth, which, though I saw it lately, aet appears a most excellent play in all respects, but especially in divertisement, though it be a deep tragedy; which is a strange perfection in a tragedy, it being most proper here, and suitable. So home, it being the last play now I am to see till a fortnight hence, I being from the last night entered into my vowes for the year coming on

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. This play is on the L. C. list at Harvard. See VanLennep, "Plays on the English Stage," p. 13. Pepys, Diary: To the Duke's playhouse, and saw Macbeth. The King and Court there; and we sat just under them and my Lady Castlemayne, and close to the woman that comes into the pit, a kind of a loose gossip, that pretends to be like her, and is so, something...The King and Duke of York minded me, and smiled upon me, at the handsome woman near me: but it vexed me to see Moll Davis, in the box over the King's and my Lady Castlemayne's head, look down upon the King, and he up to her; and so did my Lady Castlemayne once, to see who it was; but when she saw her, she looked like fire; which troubled me

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. This play is on the L. C. list at Harvard. See VanLennep, "Plays on the English Stage," p. 14

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. CSPD, Charles II, 1682, p. 24: Jan. 12. By the Russian? ambassador's particular command a play called the Tempest was played yesterday, at which he was present

Event Comment: For the Encouragement of the Comedians Acting in the Hay-Market, and to enable them to keep the Diversion of Plays under a separate Interest from the Opera. By Subscription. The Boxes to be open'd to the Pit, and none to be admitted but by the Subscription Tickets. First Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. [Cibber (II, 4-5) states that each subscriber received three tickets for the first day of each of three plays offered by subscription for a payment of three guineas.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Command of their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and Princess of Wales. This day is Publish'd The Case of Mrs Clive Submitted to the Publick. [This is Mrs Clive's 22-page complaint against the 'opression' of the managers of both patent theatres, who, it seems, formed a cartel to drive down actors' salaries, and caused by Mrs Clive's unemployment. She was dropped from Covent Garden without due notice and not for cause. She was not applied to by the Manager of Drury Lane, although he knew her to be unemployed, because he still owed her #160 12s. Her case seemed doubly hard to her since she had equipped herself with a fine wardrobe for theatrical use, had acted diligently in main and afterpiece, often on the same night to the prejudice of her health; had been at great expense in Masters for singing, for which article alone the managers now give #6 a week." Concludes by pleading for publick support of her Case. She returned to cg to play Lappet in the Miser, 30 Nov. She states that the published list of salaries in the London Daily Post of 15 Oct. 1734 is incorrect.

Event Comment: Written by Shakespear. Not acted in 50 Years. It is hoped no Gentleman will take it ill, he cannot be admitted behind the scenes, the play being so full of characters, that any company there will be of great prejudice to the performance. [The play advertised as ready on 15 Feb., but held off until after the first performance of Papal Tyranny at cg so as not to detract from Cibber's first night.] The Principal Characters New Dress'd

Event Comment: Last night the Play of the Tempest, as alter'd from Shakespear by Dryden, was performed at Drury Lane, when the Music, Dances, and whole performance met with uncommon applause. By particular desire again tonight (General Advertiser). Paid Blandford (Tallow Chandler) #18 17s. 3d.; Gave Xmas Box to King's Footmen #2 2s.; to his Chairmen #2 2s.; and to Smith's man 2s. 6d.; Norton 5 chorus #1 5s. (Treasurer's Book). The Play of Hamlet is oblig'd to be deferr'd till tomorrow. Receipts: #100 (Cross); #99 6s. (Treasurer's Book)