Event Comment: The
Duke's Company. As the play was not printed until 1689, the date of composition is uncertain. In Act I, however, a reference to the death of the
Earl of Rochester (26 July 1680) suggests that the play probably followed that even rather closely. On the other hand, the latest likely date for the first production seems set at late 1682 by the fact that
Thomas Farmer's music for the play in
BM Add. Mss. 19183-19185 is dated December 1682. The play has been placed in September 1680 as the earliest likely date (the presence of an experienced cast makes somewhat unlikely a production in mid-summer 1680). A song,
All other blessings are but toys, with music by Thomas Farmer, is in
Choice Ayres and Songs, The Fourth Book, 1683. A song,
Lovely Selina, innocent and free, with music by
John Blow, is in the same collection; and another,
Weep all ye nymphs, with music by John Blow, is in
The Theater of Music, The First Book, 1685
Performances
Mainpiece Title: The Princess Of Cleve
Performance Comment: Edition of 1689: The Prologue-; Prince of Cleve-Williams; Duke Nemours-Betterton; St. Andre-Lee; Vidam of Chartres-Gillo; Poltrot-Nokes; Princess of Cleve-Mrs Barry; Tournon-Mrs Lee [Elinor Leigh]; Marguerite-Lady Slingsby; Elianor-Mrs Betterton; The Epilogue-.