Event Comment: The
Duke's Company. On Thursday 10 Dec. 1663, Pepys reported that this play was to be acted the following week, but the date of the first performance is uncertain. But--except for the holidays--it was probably acted on consecutive days until 1 Jan. 1663@4, when Pepys saw it. The play is also in
Herbert,
Dramatic Records, p. 138, as a "Revived Play."
Pepys, Diary: I perceive
the King and
Duke and the
Court was going to the Duke's playhouse to see
Henry VIII. acted, which is said to be an admirable play. But, Lord! to see now near I was to have broken my oathe, or run the hazard of 20s. losse, so much my nature was hot to have gone thither; but I did not go.
Downes (p.24):
King Henry the 8th, This Play, by Order of
Sir William Davenant, was all new Cloath'd in proper Habits: The
King's was new, all the Lords, the Cardinals, the Bishops, the Doctors, Proctors, Lawyers, Tip-staves, new Scenes: The part of
the King was so right and justly done by
Mr Betterton, he being Instructed in it by Sir William, who had it from Old
Mr Lowen, that had his Instructions from
Mr Shakespear himself, that I dare and will aver, none can, or will come near him in this Age, in the performance of that part:
Mr Harris's performance of
Cardinal Wolsey, was little Inferior to that, he doing it with such just State, Port, and Mein, that I dare affirm, none hitherto has Equall'd him:...Every part by the great Care of Sir William, being exactly perform'd; it being all new Scenes; it continu'd Acting 15 Days together with general Applause