Event Comment: By Command of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales (General Advertiser). Prince & Princess of Wales & ye Children (Cross). Paid for wax lights for the Prince 15s. 7d.; Paid Mrs Reynolds for wax & Brickdust 4s. 5d.; Norton 3 chorus 15s. (Treasurer's Book). Receipts: #180 (Cross); #176 13s. 6d. (Treasurer's Book)

Event Comment: Both pieces by Command of their Royal Highnesses Prince George, Prince William, Lady Augusta. Afterpiece: For last time this season. Present the Princes George & William, and the Lady Augusta. Paid Mr LaCourt in full for painting for the Fair #21. Receipts: #161 12s

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By command of their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales, with the young Princes, will be this evening at Covent Garden to see the play of the Merry Wives of Windsor

Event Comment: Both pieces By Command of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. We hear that His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, with Prince Edward will be this night at Covent Garden, to see the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, and Harlequin Skeleton. On Tuesday 3 March, will be reviv'd a Tragedy call'd Macbeth (as written by Shakespear) the part of Macbeth by Barry, and Lady Macbeth by Mrs Cibber, being the first time of her appearing in that character. To which will be added the Oracle, a new Dramatic piece (of one act) taken from the French, the Principal Part to be perform'd by Mrs Cibber. Pit and boxes laid together

Event Comment: By Command. Prince of Wales, Princess Dowager Prince Ed: & another Girl with. (Cross). A person last Tuesday in the playhouse at Drury Lane, that had some difference with another (whom he don't know) about a seat in the Pit, would be glad of a private conference, to be convinced who was in the fault; the publisher hereof may be seen 'Change at the usual hours every day this week to appoint a place for said conference (Public Advertiser). Receipts: #200 (Cross)

Event Comment: By Command, The Prince of Wales. Receipts: #191 9s. Present Prince of Wales at #5 5s. and Prince Edward, Princess of Wales at #5 5s. and Princess Augusta

Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the premiere is not known, but as the play was licensed to be published, 21 May 1688, it was probably first acted early in April 1688, perhaps in late March. In 1688, also was separately printed New Songs Sung in The Fool's Preferment: In I, I sigh'd and pin'd and There's nothing so fatal as Woman, the music composed by Henry Purcell. In III, Fled is my love, the music composed by Henry Purcell, and sung by Mountfort. 'Tis death alone and I'le mount to yon blue coelum, the music composed by Henry Purcell. In IV, I'le sail upon the Dog-star, and A Dialogue by Jockey and Jenny, Jenny, gin you can love, the composer not stated. In V, If thou wilt give me back my love, composed by Henry Purcell and sung by Mountfort. See also Purcell's Works, The Purcell Society, XX (1916), iv-vi. When this play was revived at Drury Lane on 16 July 1703, the bill was headed: Not Acted these Fifteen Years

Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but the Gentleman's Journal, June 1694 (apparently appearing in late June) indicated that both parts of Don Quixote had by then appeared, and the Songs to Part I were announced in the London Gazette, No. 2983, 11-14 June 1694, to be published on 16 June 1694. Very likely Part I appeared in May 1694. The publication of The Songs in the New Play of Don Quixote, Part the First lists the following pieces. Sing, sing, all ye muses, the first song in Act II, composed by Henry Purcell. Young Chrysostome had vertue, sense, the second song in Act II, was composed by John Eccles. The third song in Act II, Sleep, poor youth, was composedy John Eccles. When the world first knew creation, sung in Act III, was composed by Henry Purcell. Let the dreadful engines, sung for Cardenio in Act IV, was set by Henry Purcell. 'Twas early one morning, in Act IV, for Sancho, was set by John Eccles. With this, this sacred charming wand, in Act V for Montesmo, Mellissa and Urganda, was set by Henry Purcell

Event Comment: Full Prices. [N.B. Winston MS 9, indicates from Rich's Register that Henry V was played this night by Royal Command. Playbill for 4 Dec. lends credence to this as it states Not Acted this season." For cast of Henry V see 18 Nov. TheAccount Book clinches the matter by listing Henry V with Dancing, and an indication that the Boxes this night held #70 5s., or some 281 people.] Present His Majesty and Attendance. House gave Yeomen of the Guards the usual gratuity of #1 1s. [Rich also paid that night #1 1s. for an Occasional Prologue for Henry V for 18 Nov. last, and #2 2s. for an occasional prologue to Thomas and Sally for 28 Nov. (Account Book).] Receipts: #210 (Account Book)

Event Comment: On this day a quarrel occurred at lif between Henry Killigrew and George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, but the play is not named in the various accounts of the affair. For details, see HMC, 12th Report, Part VII, p. 51; and Carl Niemeyer, "Henry Killigrew and the Duke of Buckingham", Review of English Studies, XII (1936), 326-28. Pepys, Diary: 22 July: Creed tells me of the fray between the Duke of Buckingham at the Duke's playhouse the last Saturday (and it is the first day I have heard that they have acted at either the King's or Duke's house this month or six weeks) and Henry Killigrew, whom the Duke of Buckingham did soundly beat and take away his sword, and make a fool of, till the fellow prayed him to spare his life; and I am glad of it; for it seems in this business the Duke of Buckingham did carry nimself very innocently and well

Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but it had been acted by the time the January 1692@3 issue of the Gentleman's Journal appeared in March (on page 1 of that issue, the editor states that We are now in March): Mr Southerne's New Comedy, call'd, The Maid's last Prayer, or Any rather than fail, was acted the 3d time this evening, and is to be acted again to morrow. It discovers much knowledge of the Town in its Author; and its Wit and purity of Diction are particularly commended (p. 28). The first song in the play, Tho you make no return to my passion, composed by Henry Purcell, was sung, according to the printed play, by Mrs Hodgson; by Mrs Dyer, according to Thesaurus Musicus, First Book, 1693. The second song, composed by Samuel? Akeroyd, was sung by Mrs Ayliff (Thesaurus Musicus, The First Book, 1693). Another song, No, no, no, no, resistance is but vain, written by Anthony Henley, composed by Henry Purcell, and sung by Mrs Ayliff and Mrs Hodgson, Act IV, is in Purcell's Works, Purcell Society, XX (1916), xiv-xv. A song, Tell me no more I am deceiv'd, written by William Congreve, set by Henry Purcell, and sung by Mrs Ayliff, is in Works, XX (1916), xv-xvi. According to the London Gazette, No. 2852, 9-13 March 1692@3, the play was published "this day" (13 March 1692@3)

Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the first production is not known, but Part II seems to have followed rather closely upon Part I. The Gentleman's Journal, June 1694 (which apparently appeared in mid-June) states: The first Part of Mr Durfey's Don Quixote was so well received, that we have had a second Part of that Comical History acted lately, which doubtless must be thought as entertaining as the first; since in this hot season it could bring such a numerous audience (p. 170). The Songs were advertised in the London Gazette, 5 July 1694, and Part II advertised in the same periodical 19-23 July 1694. The songs as listed in the separately printed Songs are as follows: Genius of England, the music by Henry Purcell, sung by Freeman and Mrs Cibber. I burn, I burn, the music by John Eccles, sung by Mrs Bracegirdle. Since times are so bad, the music by Henry Purcell, sung by Reading and Mrs Ayliff. Damon, let a friend, the music by Pack, sung by Mrs Hudson. Ye nymphs and sylvan gods, the music by John Eccles sung by Mrs Ayliff. If you will love me, composer and singer not named. In addition, Thesaurus Musicus, 1695, published Lads and lasses, blithe and gay, the music by Henry Purcell, sung by Mrs Hudson. Purcell also wrote the music for other songs for which the singer is not known. Preface, edition of 1694: The good success, which both the Parts of Don Quixote have had, either from their Natural Merit, or the Indulgence of my Friends, or both, ought sufficiently to satisfie me, that I have no reason to value tne little Malice of some weak Heads, that make it their business to be simply Criticizing....I think I have given some additional Diversion in the Continuance of the character of Marcella, which is wholly new in this Part, and my own Invention, the design finishing with more pleasure to the Audience by punishing that coy Creature by an extravagant Passion here, that was so inexorable and cruel in the first Part, and ending with a Song so incomparably well sung, and acted by Mrs Bracegirdle, that the most envious do allow, as well as the most ingenious affirm, that 'tis the best of that kind ever done before....I deserve some acknowledgment for drawing that Character of Mary the Buxom, which was intirely my own,...by making the Character humorous, and the extraordinary well acting of Mrs Verbruggen, it is by the best Judges allowed a Masterpiece of humour

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first production is not known, but the fact that it was advertised in the London Gazette, No. 3122, 10-14 Oct. 1695, indicates that it was probably acted not later than September 1695. Three songs were published separately: O how you protest, possibly set by Henry Purcell and sung by Mrs Knight; 'Twas within a Furlong, the words by Thomas D'Urfey, set by Henry Purcell, and sung by the Girl [Miss Cross]; and Man is for the woman made, the words by Pierre Motteux and set by Henry Purcell, are in Deliciae Musicae, The Third Book, 1696. See also Purcell's Works, Purcell Society, XX (1916), xix-xx. Preface, Edition of 1696: Notwithstanding the many Accidents that concurr'd to the Ruin of this Play, it succeeded above my Expectations: And I must own my self infinitely oblig'd to the Town, in receiving so favourably, what I at first never design'd for the Stage. Gildon, English Dramatick Poets, p. 121: This particular Play met with pretty good Success, for the Season of the Year, considering it the first Essay by a Young Writer, unacquainted with the Town. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 18: Sullen: Mock-Marriage, a young Fellows of the Town, a Retainer, and kind of Pensioner to the Stage. Ramble: What was it's Fate? Sullen: Damn'd, Damn'd