The London Stage Database team will be retiring the Legacy Search on May 1, 2025. Please take a moment before that date to reproduce any pre-2021 searches and export any resulting datasets you may wish to preserve for future use. We are making this change in order to free up computational resources for new features and data, currently in development with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Watch this space for more updates and, coming soon, new ways to keep up with the latest project developments!
SELECT * FROM london_stages WHERE MATCH('(@(authnameclean,perftitleclean,commentcclean,commentpclean) "John Dryden Esq"/1) | (@(roleclean,performerclean) "John Dryden Esq")') GROUP BY eventid ORDER BY weight() desc, eventdate asc OPTION field_weights=(perftitleclean=100, commentpclean=75, commentcclean=75, roleclean=100, performerclean=100, authnameclean=100), ranker=sph04

Result Options

Download:
JSON XML CSV

Search Filters

Event

Date Range
Start
End

Performance

?
Filter by Performance Type










Cast

?

Keyword

?
We found 9825 matches on Author, 1782 matches on Performance Comments, 1657 matches on Event Comments, 371 matches on Performance Title, and 0 matches on Roles/Actors.
Event Comment: The King's Company. The date of the premiere is not known, but John Harold Wilson, Six Restoration Play-Dates, Notes and Queries, June 1962, p. 221, has argued, primarily on references in the Epilogue, that the play was probably produced before the opening of the new Theatre Royal in Drury Lane and following two unsuccessful plays: The Mall and The Amorous Old Woman. The Prologue is in New Songs and Poems a la Mode, 1677. Preface to the edition of 1675: This play was left in Mr Dryden's hands many years since. The Author of it was unknown to him, and return'd not to claim it

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Mistaken Husband

Performance Comment: The author is not known, but the Preface suggests that one scene was written by John Dryden. Edition of 1675: The Prologue-; The Epilogue-.
Event Comment: By Command of Their Royal Highnesses the Duke, and the Princesses Amelia, Caroline, Mary, and Louisa. Mainpiece: Written by the late Sir John Vanbrugh and Colley Cibber Esq</a>; Poet-Laureat. Afterpiece: Written by the late Sir John Vanbrugh

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Provok'd Husband

Related Works
Related Work: The Provok'd Husband; or, A Journey to London Author(s): John Vanbrugh

Afterpiece Title: The Country House

Related Works
Related Work: The Country House Author(s): John Vanbrugh

Dance: SSerious Dance-Villeneuve, Miss Oates; A new dance (by Command) Between a Sailor and his Mistress to the tune of To Arms-Glover, Mlle Anne Roland; Scotch Dance-Glover, Mlle Anne Roland

Ballet: The Reprizal. As17391015

Event Comment: [The Duke's Company. For Harris' role, see Pepys, 11 May 1668. For Angel as Stephano, see An Elegy Upon...Mr Edward Angell, reprinted in A Little Ark, pp. 38-39: @Who shall play Stephano now? your Tempest's gone@To raise new Storms i' th' hearts of every one.@ For Underhill as Trincalo, note his nickname of Prince Trincalo. (For Mary Davis as Ariel and Mrs Long as Hypolito, see J. H. Wilson, All the King's Ladies, pp. 140, 166.) Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, p. 33): The Tempest...Acted in Lincolns-Inn-Fields...alter'd by Sir William Davenant and Mr Dryden before 'twas made into an Opera. Pepys, Diary: At noon resolved with Sir W. Pen to go see The Tempest, an old play of Shakespeare's, acted, I hear, the first day; and so my wife, and girl, and W. Hewer by themselves, and Sir W. Pen and I afterwards by ourselves; and forced to sit in the side balcone over against the musique-room at the Duke's house, close by my Lady Dorset and a great many great ones. The house mighty full; the King and Court there: and the most innocent play that ever I saw; and a curious piece of musique in an echo of half sentences, the echo repeating the former half, while the man goes on the latter, which is mighty pretty. The play [has] no great wit, but yet good, above ordinary plays. Thence home with Sir W. Pen, and there all mightily pleased with the play

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Tempest

Performance Comment: Adapted by Sir William Davenant and John Dryden. A possible cast: Ferdinand-Harris?; Stephano-Angel?; Trincalo-Underhill?; Ariel-Mary Davis?; Hypolito-Mrs Long?.
Related Works
Related Work: The Tempest Author(s): John Dryden
Related Work: The Tempest; or, The Enchanted Island Author(s): John Dryden

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Venice Preserv'd

Performance Comment: See16820209, but Prologue To His Royal Highness Upon His first appearance at the Duke's Theatre since his Return from Scotland. Written by Mr Dryden-Mr Smith; The Epilogue Written by Mr Otway to his Play call'd Venice Preserv'd; or a Plot Discover'd; Spoken upon his Royal Highness the Duke of York's coming to the Theatre, Friday, April 21, 1682-. The Epilogue Written by Mr Otway to his Play call'd Venice Preserv'd; or a Plot Discover'd; Spoken upon his Royal Highness the Duke of York's coming to the Theatre, Friday, April 21, 1682-.
Cast
Role: Mr Dryden Actor: Mr Smith
Related Works
Related Work: Venice Preserv'd Author(s): John Philip Kemble

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Acis And Galatea

Performance Comment: Acis-Beard; Galatea-Signora Francescina; Polyphemus-Reinhold; Damon-The Boy (Deutsch, Handel, p. 492; Dean, Handel's Dramatic Oratorios, p.177); With two new Concertos for several Instruments-never perform'd before; The last New Ode of Mr Dryden's-; And a Concerto on the Organ-.
Related Works
Related Work: Acis and Galatea Author(s): John Eccles

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Acis And Galatea

Performance Comment: See17391213, but two new Concertos for several Instruments-(never perform'd but once)-; Also The last New Ode of Mr Dryden's-; And a Concerto on the Organ-.
Related Works
Related Work: Acis and Galatea Author(s): John Eccles

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Acis And Galatea

Performance Comment: See17391213, but With two new Concertos for several Instruments-; Also The last New Ode of Mr Dryden's- .
Related Works
Related Work: Acis and Galatea Author(s): John Eccles

Music: nd% a Concerto on the Organ-

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Acis And Galatea

Performance Comment: With Concertos on the Organ-; and other Instruments-; Mr Dryden's last New Ode-.
Cast
Role: Mr Dryden's last New Ode Actor: .
Related Works
Related Work: Acis and Galatea Author(s): John Eccles
Event Comment: Benefit Cibber. At the particular Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Mainpiece: Written by the late N. Rowe, Esq; Poet Laureat. Afterpiece: Taken from the French by the late Sir John Vanbrugh

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Fair Penitent

Afterpiece Title: The Country House

Related Works
Related Work: The Country House Author(s): John Vanbrugh

Music: A Comic Medley Overture composed by Charke

Dance: I: A new Maggot by Le Brun. In II: Polonese, as17340325 V: Pierrots by Poitier and Nivelon. End I of Afterpiece: English Maggot by Lally and Mrs Walter. End Afterpiece: Grand Dance in Momus, as17340316

Song: III: Was ever Nymph like Rosamond by Miss Arne. IV: Bella Sorge L'Esperanza (from Ariadne) by Miss Arne

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by the late Sir John Vanbrugh and C. Cibber Esq; Poet-Laureat. The Advance Money to be return'd to those who go out before the Overture of the Entertainment begins

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Provok'd Husband

Related Works
Related Work: The Provok'd Husband; or, A Journey to London Author(s): John Vanbrugh

Afterpiece Title: The Plot

Related Works
Related Work: The Plot Author(s): John Kelly
Related Work: A Plot and no Plot Author(s): John Dennis
Related Work: The Play is the Plot Author(s): John Breval
Related Work: The Strolers Author(s): John Breval
Related Work: The Mock Countess Author(s): John Breval

Dance: Poloncse by Essex, Mrs Walter, &c

Related Works
Related Work: Friar Bacon; or, Harlequin's Adventures in Lilliput, Brobdignag, &c Author(s): John O'Keeffe
Related Work: Neptune's Address to His Most Sacred Majesty Charles the Seond: King of England, Scotland, rance and Ireland &c. Congratulating His Happy Coronation Celebrated the 22th Day of Aprill, 1661 Author(s): John Tatham
Related Work: The Test of Love Author(s): John Edwin, the younger
Event Comment: More noise against the Dancers, wch so enrag'd My Ld that with a Number of Gents. he went into the upper Galleries & took out a very noisy person-who prov'd to be Cap. Venor's Brother; he resisted & was not brought behind the scenes without much Difficulty, sadly beat, yet still obstinate, they went with Garrick & Lacy into Mrs Clive's room, where he behav'd very boldly, but all was adjusted without farther Mischief (Cross). This day publish'd: The Mirror: a Poetical Essay in the manner of Spencer. Price 1s. Ridiculum acii fortissime & optime Secatrem. Anon. To David Garrick, Esq</a>: by C. Arnold. Sold by Woodfall. Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Provok'd Wife

Cast
Role: Sir John Brute Actor: Garrick
Related Works
Related Work: The Provok'd Wife Author(s): John Vanbrugh

Afterpiece Title: The Chinese Festival

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; F 2, ascribed variously to John O'Keeffe and to James Foord; adapted from La Gageure Imprevue, by Michel Jean Sedaine. Text prints a Prologue "Supposed to be written by G. Colman, Esq., and intended to be spoken by Bannister Jun.," but "it arrived, by accident, too late at the theatre to be studied and recited" (London Chronicle, 25 Aug.)]. "A new afterpiece was...attempted to be represented, [but] it was not heard out" (Public Advertiser, 19 Aug.). Public Advertiser, 8 Oct. 1788: This Day is published A Key to the Lock (1s.)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Inkle And Yarico

Cast
Role: Planters Actor: Usher, Gardner, Johnson

Afterpiece Title: A Key to the Lock

Related Works
Related Work: A Key to the Lock Author(s): John O'Keeffe
Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Clendining. The Poetry of the additional Songs [in 1st piece] by Peter Pindar, Esq</a>. [pseud. for John Wolcot]. Morning Herald, 27 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Mrs Clendining, No. 19, Martlett-court, Bow-street, Covent-garden. "Mrs Clendining's endeavours to entertain were successful, and Fitzroy by Incledon gave a rich feast to the musical amateur. The air beginning, 'Dear Tom, this brown jug,' had a fine effect by the music being omitted" (Diary, 18 May). Receipts: #273 17s

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Inkle And Yarico

Cast
Role: Inkle Actor: Johnstone

Afterpiece Title: The Soldier's Festival

Afterpiece Title: The Poor Soldier

Cast
Role: Patrick Actor: Johnstone
Related Works
Related Work: The Poor Soldier Author(s): John O'Keeffe

Music: End: a concerto of his own composition, on the Grand Piano Forte-King (1st appearance in public)

Event Comment: Benefit for Fawcett. 3rd piece: By permission of Thomas Harris, Esq.; never acted at this theatre, and for that night only. [Address by Thomas Hurlstone (Morning Herald, 25 Aug.)]. Morning Herald, 19 Aug.: Tickets to be had of Fawcett at his house, No. 9, Tottenham-Court-Road, opposite Howland-street

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Prisoner At Large

Related Works
Related Work: The Prisoner at Large Author(s): John O'Keeffe

Afterpiece Title: THE AGREEABLE SURPRISE

Cast
Role: John Actor: Bland
Related Works
Related Work: The Agreeable Surprise Author(s): John O'Keeffe

Afterpiece Title: THE FARMER

Performance Comment: Jemmy Jumps-Fawcett; Valentine-Johnstone; Rundy-C. Kemble; Col. Dormant-Pindar; Fairly-Barrett; Farmer Stubble-Cross; Counsellor Flummery-Ledger; Farmer Blackberry-Bannister//Molly Maybush-Mrs Bland; Louisa-Miss Leak; Betty Blackberry-Mrs Kemble .
Cast
Role: Valentine Actor: Johnstone
Related Works
Related Work: Harlequin Executed Author(s): John Rich
Related Work: The Farmer Author(s): John O'Keeffe

Song: In the course of the evening Dr Grigsby's Tippety Witchet by Fawcett [sec CG, 16 May]

Monologue: 1794 08 23 A new Occarimlal Address in the Character of Trudge [in INKLE AND YARICO] by Fawcett

Event Comment: Benefit for Fawcett. 3rd piece: By permission of T. Harris, Esq.; never acted at this theatre. True Briton, 29 Aug.: Tickets to be had of Fawcett at his house, No. 10, Golden-square

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Heir At Law

Afterpiece Title: Sylvester Daggerwood

Afterpiece Title: The Poor Soldier

Performance Comment: Patrick-Johnstone; Dermot-Trueman; Fitzroy-Davies; Father Luke-Caulfield; Bagatelle-Waldron; Darby-Fawcett (1st appearance in that character); Kathlane-Mrs Bland; Norah (with The Nightingale, as17970816)-Mrs Atkins.
Cast
Role: Patrick Actor: Johnstone
Role: Kenrick Actor: Johnstone
Role: John Actor: Abbot
Related Works
Related Work: The Poor Soldier Author(s): John O'Keeffe
Event Comment: [Extra night] By Authority of the Lord Chamberlain, and Permission of G. Colman, Esq. Benefit for Waldron, prompter. The Public are respectfully cautioned against purchasing Tickets offered for Sale, Waldron not having issued any for this Evening

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Heir At Law

Afterpiece Title: Sylvester Daggerwood

Afterpiece Title: Peeping Tom

Cast
Role: Johnny Atkins Actor: Fawcett
Role: John Actor: Trueman
Related Works
Related Work: Peeping Tom Author(s): John O'Keeffe

Song: End II: The Nightingale-Mrs Atkins; End: The Flowing can-Mrs Harlowe; End 2nd piece: Sweet Echo, as17970904

Event Comment: First Piece; [Author unknown. Apparently not published.] A New Farce of Two Acts. Second Piece: Written by Aaron Hill, Esq. Third Piece: The Words by Mr Motteux, and set to Musick by Mr Eccles

Performances

Mainpiece Title: It Should Have Come Sooner: Being The Historick, Tragic Comic Humours Of Exchange Alley

Afterpiece Title: The Walking Statue

Afterpiece Title: Acis and Galatea

Related Works
Related Work: Acis and Galatea Author(s): John Eccles

Dance: Saraband-Miss Tenoe; Drunken Man-Harper

Music: As17230625

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by the late J. Hughes, Esq. [For Occasional Prompter XVI, see Daily Journal, 14 Jan.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Siege Of Damascus

Related Works
Related Work: The Siege of Damascus Author(s): John Hughes

Song: II: Son Priginiero-Miss Cecilia Young; IV: Would You Gain the Tender Creature-Miss Young

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by the late $J. Hughes, Esq.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Siege Of Damascus

Related Works
Related Work: The Siege of Damascus Author(s): John Hughes

Song: II: La Nuvoletta, an Italian Ballad.-Miss Young; IV: Wou'd you gain the Tender Creature-Miss Young

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by the late $J. Hughes, Esq.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Siege Of Damascus

Related Works
Related Work: The Siege of Damascus Author(s): John Hughes

Afterpiece Title: The Fall of Phaeton

Song: II: La Nuvoletta-Miss Cecilia Young; IV: Wou'd you gain the Tender Creature-Miss Cecilia Young

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by the late J. Hughes, Esq. Afterpiece: a New Dramatick Tale. Written by the Author of the Toy Shop [R. Dodsley]

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Siege Of Damascus

Related Works
Related Work: The Siege of Damascus Author(s): John Hughes

Afterpiece Title: The King and the Miller of Mansfield

Dance: I: Tambourine-Mlle Roland; III: Muilment; V: Ballet-Denoyer