Event Comment: Rich's Company.
Lady Morley attended this performance: Lady Morley and two in
the Box at
Constant Couple. See
Hotson,
Commonwealth and Restoration Stage, p. 378.
There is no certainty that this is
the first performance, but
the fact that
the play was advertised in
the Post Man, 7-9 Dec. 1699, suggests that
the first production may have occurred in mid-November.
The Prologue also refers to
the abandonment of
Dorset Garden to "That strong Dog Sampson" (see 15 and 25 Nov. 1699). A song,
Thus Damon knock'd at Celia's door, set by
Daniel Purcell, was published separately about this time. Preface, Edition of 1700: All will join with me in Commendation of
the Actors, and allow, without detracting from
the Merit of o
thers, that
the Theatre Royal affords an excellent and compleat Set of Comedians.
Mr Wilks's Performance has set him so far above Competition in
the Part of
Wildair, that none can pretend to envy
the Praise due to his Merit. Preface to
The Inconstant (1702): I remember, that about two Years ago, I had a Gentleman from
France [
The Constant Couple] that brought
the Play-house some fifty Audiences in five months.
A Comparison between the Two Stages (1702), p. 32:
Critick: But above all, commend me to
the ingenious Author of
the Trip to the Jubilee.
Ramble: Oh Lord, Sir! you won't quarrel with that Play; never any thing did such wonders.
Critick: Oh 'twas admirable! admirable! I wonder
the Town did not just
then bespeak
the Bays for him.
Sullen: Nay, for ought you and I know, he may live to enjoy 'em; I assure you all
the run of
the Town is on his side.
The Owl was never more esteem'd at
Athens than
the Trip to
the Jubilee was here.
Critick: Indeed I have known a Footman have a great stroak with his Lord at begging a Favour; if all
the Footmen in Town that admire him were to club for his Preferment, I don't know what might be done.
Ramble:
The Footmen? Ay, and
the middle Gallery too, I assure you are of his side, and that's a strong Party.
Critick: Why, I believe it, 'tis about
the pitch of
their Understanding; but if ever it diverted one Man of tolerable Sense I'll be hang'd.
Sullen: I don't know who are your People of tolerable Sense, Mr Critick, but at
the play I have seen
the Pit, Box and Stage so crowded--and if that is not a sign