Event Comment: The
King's Company.
Pepys, Diary: My wife and I and
Sir W. Pen to the King's playhouse, where the house extraordinary full; and there was
the King and
Duke of York to see the new play,
Queen Elizabeth's Troubles, and the History of Eighty Eight. I confess I have sucked in so much of the sad story of
Queen Elizabeth, for my cradle, that I was ready to weep for her sometimes; but the play is the most ridiculous that sure ever come upon the stage; and, indeed, is merely a shew, only shews the true garbe of the
Queen in those days, just as we see
Queen Mary and
Queen Elizabeth painted; but the play is merely a puppet play, acted by living puppets. Neither the design nor language better; and one stands by and tells us the meaning of things: only I was pleased to see
Knipp dance among the milkmaids, and to hear her sing a song to
Queen Elizabeth; and too see her come out in her night-gowne with no lockes on, but her bare face and hair only tied up in a knot behind; which is the comeliest dress that ever I saw her in to her advantage
Performances
Mainpiece Title: Queen Elizabeth's Troubles; And The History Of Eighty Eight