Event Comment: The
Duke's Company.
Pepys, Diary: To the Opera, where there was a new play (
Cutter of Coleman Street), made in the year 1658, with reflections much upon the late times; and it being the
first time, the pay was doubled, and so to save money, my wife and I went up into the gallery, and there sat and saw very well; and a very good play it is. It seems of Cowly's making.
Downes (
Roscius Anglicanus, p. 25): This Comedy being Acted so perfectly Well and Exact, it was per
form'd a whole Week with a full Audience.
John Dennis, Dedication to
The Comical Gallant, 1702: The only Play that ever
Mr Cowley writ, was barbarously treated the
first night, as the late
Mr Dryden has more than once in
formed me, who has told me that he went to see it with the famous
Mr Sprat, now
Bishop of Rochester, and that after the Play was done, they both made a visit to Mr Cowley.
Langbaine (
English Dramatick Poets, p. 81): This Play met with some Opposition, at its Representation under this new Name, from some who envyed the Authors unshaken Loyalty to the
Prince, and the Royal Cause, in the worst of Times.
BM Add. Mss. 34217, fol. 31b, in
Hotson (
Commonwealth and Restoration Stage, p. 247): @The Cutter of Coleman street had more fame@Be
fore the Author chang'd its name@And shewd himselfe an Englishman right@By mending of things to spoyle them quite@And bee's more to blame because he can tell@(No better) to make new strings soe well.