Event Comment: Betterton's Company. The date of the premiere is not known, but the fact that the play was advertised in the Post Man, 8-10 June 1697, suggests a first performance in late May or the beginning of June. Preface: I [Motteux] write the Masque of Hercules, and Mr Eccles, having set it with his usual Success, and yet more masterly than my Mars and Venus, if possible, I prevail'd with the ingenious Mr J. Oldmixon to give me a short Pastoral, while I scribbled over a Farce after the Italian Manner, and an Imitation of part of a diverting French Comedy of one Act (for such Plays are very common in Foreign Parts). Then I wanted nothing but a Tragedy....At last I bethought myself of one already studied, called The Unnatural Brother, written by an ingenious Gentleman and acted 6 Months ago, tho not with the success it deserv'd. Yet the latter Part was extremely applauded: So I was persuaded to make bold with it, as I do....I could easily contract the most moving Part of the Story into the Compass of one Act, with some Additions....All this was done in a very short time, the warm Season threatening me with your Absence....The foregoing Lines were published as a Preface to that Masque, some few copies of which were printed for the use of the Audience, the first day of the Novelty's being Acted. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 20: Every Word stolen, and then Damn'd

Event Comment: Benefit for Baddeley. Miss Sherry made her first appearance upon this Stage in Lady Macbeth, a Sensible Speaker pretty good voice Short Clumsy Figure met with Applause--The Farce very well receiv'd (Hopkins Diary). Afterpiece: A Farce by George Downing. Paid 6 day's salary at #82 19s. 9d., #497 18s. 6d.; Mrs Abington on Cloaths acct, #2; Mr S. French 6 days #1 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #135 1s. 6d. Charges: #68 12s. Profits to Baddeley: #66 9s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #5 1s. Paid Mr J. French on acct #10 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #143 6s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid 4 day's salary list #348 5s.; Mr J. French on acct #10. Receipts: #198 4s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Bowers, Cridland, Piercy. Tickets delivered by Hodges will be taken. Paid Mr J. French on acct #5 5s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #259 8s. 6d. Charges: #84. Profits to Bowers, Cridland, and Piercy: #175 8s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Fri 24 Paid 5 days salary at #88 7s. per diem, --#441 15s.; Mr King's extra salary #2 10s.; Mr J. French on acct #21 (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Signr Como & Sga Crespi. Paid Mr Benonvilli for models of machinery #10 10s.; Mr J. French on acct (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #91 3s. Charges: #64 11s. Profits to Como & Sga Crespi: #26 12s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Mainpiece: With New Dresses and Decorations. N.B. After this night the Meeting of the Company will be laid aside for sometime. The Play was New drest in the Habits of the time & they look'd very well & was applauded (Hopkins Diary) Paid 3 days salary list at #91 16s. 4d. per diem, #275 9s.; Sundry salaries not on list last week as per partners in Memorandum Book, #44 8s.; Mr Granier for last week 12s. 6d.; Mr J. French on acct #5 5s. Receipts: #226 3s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Rec'd stopages #17 15s.; Paid salary list #565 1s.; J. French on acct #5 5s. Receipts: #192 17s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid salary list #513 17s. 6d.; Rec'd stopages #16 7s. 6d.; Paid Mr J. French on acct #12 (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #157 1s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Twelfth Night was put up for this Night but Mrs Abington sent word She was hoarse & could not play, therfore it was chang'd to the Fair Quaker & great Bills put up about three (Hopkins Diary). [Twelfth Night was deferred until 10 Dec.] Paid Salary List #529 2s.; King's extra salary #3; Mr J. French on acct #10; Chorus 2 nights (this incl.) #4 1s.; Rec'd stopages #26 6s. 6d. Receipts: #104 15s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Housekeeper's Bill #5 5s. 10d.; Mr J. French's draft #50. Receipts: #261 17s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: The Author's 2nd Night. [Prologue to mainpiece printed in the Public Advertiser.] Paid Mr J. French on acct #5 5s.; Housekeeper's 2 Bills #11 6s. 1d.; Properties #2 6s. 5d. Receipts: #240 11s. 6d. Charges: #73 10s. Profit to author: #167 1s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Paid Properties #1 17s.; Housekeeper's Bill #3 10s.; Mr J. French on acct #5 5s.; Chorus 2 nights (This incl.) #4 1s. Receipts: #240 17s. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Benefit for Bannister. Mainpiece: By Desire. Rec'd stopages #12 7s. Paid salary list #566 6s.; J. French on acct #5 5s. (Treasurer's Book). Mrs Smith's Benefit for 2 May advertised as Cymbeline and a new Comic Opera (in 2 Acts) call'd the Wish. The Music entirely new, the principal characters by Vernon, Bannister, Davies, Mrs Wrighten and Mrs Smith. With a New Occasional Prologue spoken by King. [But this was changed on 27 April.] Receipts: #212 1s. Charges: #66 3s. Profits to Bannister #145 18s. (Treasurer's Book)