Event Comment: The
United Company. The exact date of the first production is not known, but the play was entered in the
Term Catalogues, February 1691@2, and mentioned in the
Gentleman's Journal, February 1691@2 (licensed 12 February 1691@2). In all probability, it was first acted not later than January 1691@2. The music to one song,
As soon as the Chaos, was composed by
Henry Purcell. See
Purcell, Works,
Purcell Society, XX (1916), xvii. Two songs--
Bonny lad prithee lay thy pipe down, with music by
Tollet;
Great Jove once made love like a bull, with music by
Mountfort--are in
The Banquet of Musick, The Sixth and Last Book, 1692. Dedication, Edition of 1692: Having at last so well acquitted it self on the Stage (tho' the thronging, imperfect Action, and worse than all, the faulty length, which I will never be guilty of again, render'd it little Diversion the first day). A Letter to
Mr D'Urfey [by
Charles Gildon], Edition of 1692: If there be any fault in this Play, 'tis that which few are guilty of; that is, there are too many good Characters, too full of Humour, a very Pardonable failing, which only proceeds from Variety, the life of Pleasure and Wit, tho' that gave it the disadvantage of seeming too long the first days Acting, tho' the Stage's being throng'd with Spectators, did not a little contribute to the imperfect Acting of it, which accidental Misfortunes concurring with the Endeavours of an opposite Faction, must needs have damn'd it, had it not by the Force and Vigour of its own Worthy, rais'd it self the second day with the general Applause of all that saw it....But the
Marriage-hater went further, and in spight of all the disadvantages it labour'd under of Action and Audience, pleas'd on, after several times Re
petition. See also
Poeta Infamis; or, A Poet not worth Hanging (1692) for a variety of comments upon this play.
London Mercury, 26 Feb. 1691@2: Query 4. Whether in Justice he [
D'Urfey] is not obliged to present
Mr Dogget (who acted
Solon to so much Advantage) with half the Profit of his Third Day, since in the Opinions of most Persons, the good Success of his Comedy was half owing to that admirable Actor? Query 5. Whether, if there be any Wit in bringing a Person upon the Stage with an extravagantly broad-brimmed Hat, and a Muff of the same Size, so it will not be a very easy Matter for the next Poet that writes a Play, to Out-hat and Out-muff his Predecessors, and consequently to Out-wit him?
Downes,
Roscius Anglicanus, p. 42: Mr Dogget perform'd the part of Solon Inimitably.
Gentleman's Journal, p. 454, February 1691@2 (licensed 12 Feb. 1691@2): I send you
the Marriage-hater match'd, a new Comedy by Mr Durfey; it hath met with very good success, having been plaid six days together, and is a diverting Play.
Gentleman's Journal, January 1691@2: Now I speak of Music I must tell you that we shall have speedily a new Opera, wherein something very surprising is promised us; Mr Purcel who joyns to the Delicacy and Beauty of the
Italian way, the
Graces and Gayety of the French, composes the Music, as he hath done for
the Prophetess, and the last Opera called
King Arthur, which hath been plaid several times the last Month [presumably December 1691]