Event Comment: The
Duke's Company. It is not certain this is the first performance, but it may well have been. This performance is on the
L. C. list, 5@139, p. 125. See also
Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 346.
Pepys, Diary:
Sir W. Pen and I to the Duke's house, where a new play.
The King and
Court there: the house full, and an act begun. And so went to the King's.
Downes (p. 28):
Sir Martin Marral,
The Duke of New-Castle, giving
Mr Dryden a bare translation of it, out of a Comedy of the Famous
French Poet Monseur Moleire: He adapted the Part purposely for the Mouth of
Mr Nokes, and curiously Polishing the whole....All the Parts being very Just and Exactly perform'd, specially
Sir Martin and
his Man,
Mr Smith, and several others since have come very near him, but none Equall'd, nor yet Mr Nokes in
Sir Martin: This Comedy was Crown'd with an Excellent Entry. In the Last Act at the Mask, by
Mr Priest and
Madam Davies; This, and
Love in a Tub, got the Company more Money than any preceding Comedy
Performances
Mainpiece Title: Feign'd Innocence; Or, Sir Martin Marall
Performance Comment: Edition of 1668: No actors' names. Prologue-; Epilogue-; Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, p. 28): Sir Martin Marall-Nokes; Sir John Swallow-Smith; Lord Dartmouth-Young; Old Moody-Underhill; Warner-Harris; Lady Dupe-Mrs Norris; Mrs Millisent-Mrs Davies.