Event Comment: Benefit for several: Wilford, Ross, Derby, Mislebrook, and Trott (Lobby-door-keeper). Tickets deliver'd out by Morgan, Elliot, Dimmock, Slatter, Toten, Jos. Smith, Hacket, Barnes, and others will be taken. On Monday Romeo and Juliet with Harlequin Sorcerer

Event Comment: Benefit for Wilford, Ross (Pit Doorkeepers); Mislebrook, Dimmock, and Trott (Lobby Doorkeepers). Tickets deliver'd out by Morgan, Elliot, Derby, Toten, J. Smith, Slater, Barnes, will be taken

Event Comment: A List of the Company Performers etc.@Actors Messrs Ross #1 6s. 6d.@Sparks #250 #1 8s.@Dyer #180 #1@Smith #1 8s.@Shuter #1 6s. 8d.@Ridout #180 #1@Clarke 16s. 8d.@Collins 13s. 4d.@Dunstall 13s. 4d.@Bencraft #100 12s.@Barrington #100 12s.@Gibson 10s.@Marten 6s. 8d.@Costollo 6s. 8d.@Anderson 6s. 8d.@Hull 6s. 8d.@Wignell 5s.@Bennet 5s.@Redman 4s. 2d.@Holtom 5s.@Buck 4s. 2d.@Perry 4s. 2d.@Stoppelaer 3s. 4d.@R. Smith 3s. 4d.@Giffard 3s. 4d.@Creswick 3s. 4d.@Gibbs 3s. 4d.@Weller 3s. 4d.@C. Smith 2s. 6d.@Blakey 2s. 6d.@Davis 5s.@Actresses Misses Ms Macklin #300 #1 13s. 4d.@Ms Ward #1 6s. 8d.@Ms Hamilton #1 10s.@Ms Elmy 13s. 4d.@Ms Vincent 13s. 4d.@Ms Green 11s.@Ms Pitt 10s.@Ms Dyer #70 7s. 8d.@Ms Barrington 6s. 8d.@Ms Baker 6s. 8d.@Ms Morrison 5s.@Ms Ferguson 5s@Ms Stephens 5s.@Ms Helm 4s. 2d.@Ms Mullart 3s. 4d.@Ms Sledge 3s. 4d.@Ms Copen 3s. 4d.@Ms Burden 3s. 4d.@Ms Davis 3s. 4d.@Ms Cokayne 3s. 4d.@Ms Allen 2s. 6d.@#9 19s. 4d. Actors #15 10s. 10d.@#25 10s. 2d.@Singers Men Messrs Beard #210 #1 3s. 4d.@Mattocks 10s.@Baker 6s. 8d.@Legg 5s.@#2 5s.@Singers Women Mrs Ms Lampe 13s. 4d.@Ms Brent 13s. 4d.@Ms Young 10s.@Ms Abegg 5s.@#2 1s. 8d.@Men Singers #2 5s.@#4 6s. 8d.@. Dancers Men Messrs Poitier Sr #80 8s. 10d.@Maranesi #150 16s. Sd.@Poitier Jr #150 16s. 8d.@LaLauze #100 12s.@Miles 10s.@Granier 10s.@Desse 6s. 8d.@Rochford #50 5s.@Dumay 5s.@Gosly 5s.@Baltazer 5s.@Dufour 5s.@Lassy #35 3s. 8d.@#5 9s. 6d.@Dancers Women Mrs Capdeville #150 16s. 8d.@Ms Maranesi #120 13s. 4d.@Ms Vernon 10s.@Ms Granier 6s. 8d.@Ms Jansolien 6s. 8d.@Ms Mariane #50 5s.@Ms Welch #35 3s. 8d.@Ms Craford #35 3s. 8d.@Ms White 3s. 4d.@Ms Dause 3s. 4d.@Ms Vallois 2s. 6d.@#4 4s. 10d. Men Dancers #5 9s. 6d.@#9 14s. 4d.@Mrs P. R. 10s.@Ms S. B. 6s. 8d.@Ms Bambridge 1s. 8d.@10s. 4d.@Prompters etc. Mr Stede 10s.@Young 5s.@Robertson 1s. 6d.@16s. 6d.@Painters Messrs Lambert #100 12s.@Dall #100 12s.@Austin 2s.@#1 6s.@ Servants numberers Stables 5s.@Housekeeper Sarjant #40 4s. 6d.@Wardrobe Whitefield #30 3s. 4d.@Officekeeper Ballard 3s. 4d.@Pearson 2s. 6d.@Box office Carne 2s. 6d.@Davis 2s. 6d.@Assistants Baker 2s. 6d.@Etherington 2s.@Lobby Door Goode 2s.@Ruby 2s.@Evans 2s.@Condell 2s.@Box Keepers Ansell 2s.@Letsam 2s.@Vaughan 2s.@Green 2s.@Potter 2s.@Pit Office Henning 2s.@Wilford 1s. 8d.@Toten 1s. 8d.@Pit Door Keepers Ross 1s. 8d.@Clingo 1s. 8d.@Ass. Office Clarke 1s. 8d.@1 Gal. Office Slater 2s.@Doorkeeper Rawlinson 1s. 8d.@2 Gal. Office Derby 2s.@Doorkeeper Seymour 2s.@Constable Barnes 2s.@Featherman Scott 1s. 8d.@Porter Besford 2s.@#3 9s. 10d.@Women Dressers #1 2s. 8d.@Charwomen 12s. 10d.@#5 5s. 4d.@Women Dressers Mrs Goold Wardrobe Keeper 3s. 4d.@Asst. Do Ms Wignell 2s. 6d.@Do Ms Paddick 1s. 8d.@Ms C. White 1s. 6d.@Ms Hales 1s. 6d.@Ms Martin 1s. 6d.@Ms Potts 1s. 6d.@Ms Wallis 1". 6d.@Ms Broad 1s. 6d.@Ms Gwynn 1s. 6d.@Ms Whitfield 1s. 6d.@Ms Buck 1s. 6d.@#1 2s. 8d.@Charwomen Mrs Brooks 1s. 2d.@Ms Hanmore 1s.@Ms Warwick 1s.@Ms Byrn 1s.@Ms Niblett 1s.@Ms Hollingsworth 1s.@Ms Barron 1s.@Ms Rumsey 1s.@8s. 2d.@Lampman Smith, Jo. 1s. 8d.@Sweeper Cawder, Jo. 1s. 6d.@Candleman Carter 1s. 6d.@12s. 10d.@Performers Sallerys #25 10s. 2d.@Singers Do #4 6s. 8d.@Dancers Do #9 14s. 4d. 18s. 4d.@Prompters Do 16s. 6d.@Painters Do #1 6s.@Servants Do #5 5s. 4d.@#47 17s. 4d.@Nightly Charges as per estimate #36 1s.@#83 18s. 4d.@--British Museum Egerton MS 2271.

Event Comment: The True News; or, Mercurius Anglicus, 4-7 Feb. 1679@80: On Munday night last happened a great dispute in the Duke's Play-house, some Gentlemen in their Cupps entring into the Pitt, flinging Links at the Actors, and using several reproachfull speeches against the Dutchess of P. and other persons of Honour, which has occasioned a Prohibition from farther Acting, till his Majesties farther pleasyre. A letter written by the Dowager Countess of Sunderland to Henry Sidney, dated 6 Jan. 1679@80 [possibly misdated] refers to disorders which are similar to those recorded in The True News: You must needs hear of the abominable disorders amongst us, calling all the women whores and the men rogues in the playhouses--throwing candles and links--calling my Lord Sunderland traitor, but in good company; the Duke of York?, rascal; and all ended in "God bless his Highness, the Duke of Monmouth. We will be for him against the world." I am told they may be fined a great deal if they are prosecuted. Two of these are knights of shires, Sir Scroope How, and my Lord Wharton's@eldest son; the only sufferer yet is Porter. They are ashamed, I hear, and afraid (R. W. Blencowe, Diary of the Times of Charles the Second by the Honourable Henry Sidney [London, 1843], I, 237)

Event Comment: The Dowager Countess of Sunderland to Henry Sidney, 19 Feb. 1679@80: The players have been disturbed again by drunken people's jokes. They called my Lord Arran a rogue; and one Fitzpatrick pointed at Mr Thinne, and called him that petitioning fool, and swore a hundred oaths; he said that he deserved #20,000 a-year, but that fool deserved nothing (R. W. Blencowe, Diary of the Times of Charles the Second [London, 1843], I, 279-80). See also 2 and 9 Feb. 1679@80

Event Comment: Lady Anne Howe to the Countess of Rutland, [18 Dec. 1681]: I have seene but one play since I came, but I must goe to one to see [the Russian Ambassador] sure he cannot live long, for he makes noe thing of a pint of brandie at a draught with a spoonful of white pepper in it (HMC, Rutland MSS., Report XII, Appendix, Part V, p. 63)

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. Lady Anne Howe to the Countess of Rutland, 26 Jan. 1681@2: The King went by water to the new play yesterday, it being the poet's day, and is call'd the Loyallest (HMC, Rutland MSS., 12th Report, Appendix, Part V, p. 64). Newsletter, 26 Jan. 1681@2: Yesterday was a new play called the Royalist, where the Salamanca Doctor is exposed (HMC, 10th Report, Appendix, Part IV, p. 175)

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. Newdigate newsletters, 5 Aug. 1682: [Yesterday the] Dutchess goes to ye Dukes Theatre--that and ye Kings house haveing Joyned interests the latter being Discontinued where will be purposely Acted for her Anna Bullen being a deepe Tragedy of the beheading of the said Lady by Henry the 8th (Wilson, Theatres Notes from the Newdigate Newsletters, p. 81). See also London Mercury, 8 Aug. 1682. Juliana Brabazon to the Countess of Rutland, Aug. 1682: The Dutches of Yorke kept her bed the day after seeing Anna Bulloigne acted (HMC, 12th Report, Rutland MSS., Part V, 1889, p. 77)

Event Comment: Edward Bedingfield to the Countess of Rutland, 1 Jan. 1684@5: Wee are in expectation of an opera composed by Mr Dryden, and set by Grabuche [Grabut], and so well performed at the repetition that has been made before his Majesty at the Duchess of Portsmouth's pleaseth mightily, but the rates proposed will not take soe well, for they have set the boxes at a guyny a place, and the Pitt at halfe. They advance 4,000 l. on the opera, and therefore must tax high to reimburse themselves (HMC, 12th Report, Appendix, Rutland MSS., Part V, Vol. II, p. 85)

Event Comment: Peregrine Bertie to the Countess of Rutland, 26 Dec. 1685: The other night was a disturbance at the play-house, upon which they broke up acting but to-day they have begun again (HMC, 12th Report, Appendix, Rutland MSS., Part V, Vol. II, p. 99)

Event Comment: Lady Dorset attended a play. See Peregrine Bertie to the Countess of Rutland, 9 Jan. 1685@6 (HMC, 12th Report, Appendix, Rutland MSS., Part V, II, 101)

Event Comment: The United Company. Peregrine Bertie to the Countess of Rutland, 23 Jan. 1685@6: Today will be acted King and noe King, by the King's command; everybody is sending to keep places; next week begins the French opera (HMC, 12th Report, Appendix, Rutland MSS., Part V, Vol. II, p. 102)

Event Comment: The United Company. This performance is on the L. C. list, 5@147, p. 125. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 350. Peregrine Bertie to the Countess of Rutland, 28 Jan. 1685@6: Last night was acted, the Chances at Whitehall, and to-night should have been a musicke meeting at Yorke Buildings, which I am jest now told is to bee put of till next weeke. The French Opera will begin the weeke after the next (HMC, 12th Report, Appendix, Rutland MSS., Part V, Vol. II, p. 102)

Event Comment: The United Company. Peregrine Bertie to the Countess of Rutland. 6 Feb. 1685@6: Thursday was acted Mithridates? for the Queen and Goodman played (HMC, 12th Report, Appendix, Rutland MSS., Part V, Vol. II, p. 104). [In L. C. 5@147, is a warrant to pay Mrs Barry for two plays-Valentinian and Mithridates-acted before the King and Queen, #40. The date of the warrant is 8 May 1686. If this warrant represents payment for this performance of Mithridates, probably Valentinian was acted in 1686.

Event Comment: The United Company. Peregrine Bertie to the Countess of Rutland, 6 Feb. 1685@6: Today is Othello (HMC, 12th Report, Appendix, Rutland MSS., Part V, Vol. II., p. 104)

Event Comment: Peregrine Bertie to the Countess of Rutland, 11 Feb. 1685@6: To-day was the French opera. The King and Queen were there, the musicke was indeed very fine, but all the dresses the most wretched I ever saw; 'twas acted by none but French. A Saturday the Court goes to another play, to take their leaves of those vanitys till after Lent (HMC, 12th Report, Appendix, Rutland MSS., Part V, Vol. II, p. 104). [This performance is on the L. C. list 5@147, p. 125: The King & Queene & a Box for ye Maydes of honor at ye French Opera [the charge for the royal box was increased from #20 to #25 on this occasion]. W. J. Lawrence conjectured that this French opera was Cadmus et Hermione and that Jacques Rousseau, a scene painter of Paris, provided the decor. See W. J. Lawrence, The French opera in London; A Riddle of 1686, TLS, 28 March 1936, p. 268

Event Comment: The United Company. The date of this Performance is stated as 16 Feb. (L. C. records) or 17 Feb. (Peregrine Bertie), but as Lent began on Wednesday 17 Feb., the performance probably occurred on Shrove Tuesday. This performance is on the L. C. list, 5@147, P. 125. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 350. Peregrine Bertie to the Countess of Rutland, 17 Feb. 1685@6: To night will be the last play at court, they tell mee 'tis the Mocke Astrologer (HMC, 12th Report, Appendix, Rutland MSS., Part V, p. 105). John Povey to Sir Robert Southwell, 18 Feb. 1685@6: Sir, the enclosed had been sent last post, had it not been detained late by a play at Court which ended our Carnival. The night before the King and Queen were entertained by the Lord President at a ball or masque in Lady Portsmouth's lodgings. The Masquers were twelve couples whose habits were of several nations' and prescribed by a picture sent to each of them from the Queen, and the least habit cost !bove a hundred Pounds, and some above three hundred pounds, besides jewels of which Mrs Fox and some others had above thirty thousand pounds value each (Savile-Finch Correspondence, Add. Mss. 28,569; I owe this quotation to Professor John Harold Wilson)

Event Comment: The United Company. Peregrine Bertie to the Countess of Rutland, 6 March 1685@6: To day is acted Jevarns' new farse; Thursday was the first day. I must confess it is the strangest thinge I ever saw; 'twas mighty full the last time, and to day there is noe getting in (HMC, 12th Report, Appendix, Rutland MSS., Part V, Vol. II, p. 106). [Since Friday 5 March was a Friday in Lent, it is possible that the farce was not given on that day.

Event Comment: The United Company--Peregrine Bertie to the Countess of Rutland, 12 May 1688: We have had since my last another new play, a comedy writ by Shadwell, called the Esquire of Alsatia. It has been acted nine days successively, and on the third day the poet got 16l. more than any other poet ever did. When all this is granted, there is nothing in it extraordinary--except it is a Latin song--but the thing reason why it takes soe well is, because it brings severall of the cant words upon the stage which some in town have invented, and turns them into ridicule (HMC, 12th Report, Appendix, Rutland MSS., Part V, Vol. II, p. 119)