SELECT * FROM london_stages WHERE MATCH('(@(authnameclean,perftitleclean,commentcclean,commentpclean) "Sir W Parsons"/1) | (@(roleclean,performerclean) "Sir W Parsons")') GROUP BY eventid ORDER BY weight() desc, eventdate asc OPTION field_weights=(perftitleclean=100, commentpclean=75, commentcclean=75, roleclean=100, performerclean=100, authnameclean=100), ranker=sph04

Result Options

Download:
JSON XML CSV

Search Filters

Event

Date Range
Start
End

Performance

?
Filter by Performance Type










Cast

?

Keyword

?
We found 7667 matches on Performance Comments, 1604 matches on Author, 1216 matches on Event Comments, 503 matches on Performance Title, and 0 matches on Roles/Actors.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Triumphs Of London

Performance Comment: Performed on Friday, Octob. 29. 1675 for the Entertainment of the Right Honourable and truly Noble Pattern of Prudence and Loyalty, Sir Joseph Sheldon Kt, Lord Mayor of the City of London. Containing a true description of the several Pageants with the Speeches spoken on each Pageant. Together with the several Songs sung at this Solemnity. All set forth at the proper Costs and Charges of the Worshipful Company of Drapers. Design'd and Composed by Tho. Jordan, Gent.
Event Comment: The Bulstrode Papers (I, 324) 3 Dec. 1675: The Earle of Pembroke had another rencounter yesterday at a play house at which he wounded one Davenant, Sir William's son, and got a hurt himself

Performances

Performances

Mainpiece Title: London's Triumphs

Performance Comment: : Express'd in sundry Representations, Pageants and Shows, performed on Monday Octob. 30, 1676, at the Inauguration and Instalment of the Right Honourable Sir ThomasDavies, Kt, Lord Mayor of the City of London. Containing a true Description of the several Scenes and Habits of the Representers, with the Speeches Spoken on each Pageant. All the Charge and Expences of the Industrious Designs, being the sole Undertakings of the Ancient and Right Worshipful Society of Drapers. Being the Second Year without Intermission. Devised and Composed by Tho. Jordan.
Event Comment: The King's Company. This performance is on the L. C. list, 5@141, p. 359. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 346. There is no certainty that this performance is the premiere, but as the play was licensed for printing on 9 Jan. 1676@7, this performance may well be the first one. Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, pp.9-10) lists the same cast except for the ommission of Letice. It is not certain which Mrs Knight played Letice. Possibly it was Frances Maria Knight (see Wilson, All the King's Ladies, where she is tentatively listed for that role), but the presence of Mrs Ursula Knight on an undated L. C. list, 3@24, with the date of her swearing into the company given as 12 March 1676@7, it is quite likely that she played this role. (I owe this reference to Ursula Knight to Professor John Harold Wilson.) John Dennis: And when upon the first representations of the Plain Dealer, the Town, as The Authour has often told me, appeard Doubtful what Judgment to Form of it; the foremention'd gentlemen [The Duke of Buckingham, Earl of Rochester, Earl of Dorset, Earl of Mulgrave, Savil, Buckly, Sir John Denham, Waller] by their loud aprobation of it, gave it both a sudden and a lasting reputation (Defense and Defects of Dramatick Poetry, 1725, in The Works of John Dennis, ed. Hooker, II, 277)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Plain Dealer

Performances

Mainpiece Title: London's Triumphs

Performance Comment: Illustrated with many Magnificent Structures and Pageants. On which are orderly expressed Several Stately Representations of Poetical Deities, sitting and standing in great spdendor on several Scenes in proper Shapes. With Pertinent Speeches, Jocular Songs (sung by the City Musick), and Pastoral Dancing. Performed October 29, 1677, for the Celebration, Solemnity and Inauguration of the Right Honourable Sir Francis Chaplin, Knight, Lord Mayor of the City of London. At the Charge and Expences of the Industrious Designs, being the sole Undertaking of the Ancient and Right Worshipful Society of Clothworkers. Designed and Composed by Tho. Jordan.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Man Of Newmarket

Performance Comment: Edition of 1678: The Induction. Enter Prologue at one Door; and just as he addresses to speak, enter Shatteril and Haines at t'other. The Prologue-Mr Clarke; Passal-Wiltshire; Maldrin-Birt; Sir Ral. Nonsuch-Powel; Whiffler-Haines; Swiftspur-Clark; Trainsted-Goodman; Bowser-Griffin; Plodwell-Perin; Breakbond-Moon [Mohun]; Pricknote-Cash [Coysh]; Clevly-Mrs Corbit; Jocalin-Mrs Baker; Quickthridt-Mrs Corey; Luce-Mrs Farle; The Epilogue-Mrs Baker.
Event Comment: The Memoirs of Sir John Reresby, ed. Browning: I was with the King at the French play that night (p. 136)

Performances

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Triumphs Of London

Performance Comment: Performed on Tuesday, October XXIX. 1678. For the Entertainment of the Right Honourable, and truly Noble Pattern of Prudence and Loyalty, Sir James Edwards Knight, Lord Mayor of the City of London. Containing a true Description of the several Pageants, with the Speeches spoken on each Pageant. Together with the Songs sung in this Solemnity. All set forth at the proper Costs and Charges of the Worshipful Company of Grocers. Designed and Composed by Tho. Jordan, Gent.
Event Comment: The Memoirs of Sir John Reresby (p. 168): Being at a play wher I sat near Collonel Macarty, who was shortsighted a gentleman in drinke quarrelled with him, and drawing his sword passed at hime before Macarty was ready, or indeed saw it, and had certainly wounded him had not I putt by the sword with mine that was drawn whilst he recovered himselfe but they were then parted without harm

Performances

Event Comment: The Memoirs of Sir John Reresby (p.181): The Duke of Albemarle carryed me this afternoon to the play, which I had not leisure to take the diversion of for some time

Performances

Performances

Mainpiece Title: London In Luster

Performance Comment: [Projecting Many bright beams of Triumph: Disposed with Several Representations of Scenes and Pageants. Performed with great Splendor on Wednesday, October XXIX. 1679] At the Initiation and Instalment of the Right Honourable Sir Robert Clayton, Knight, Lord Mayor of the City of London. Dignified with divers delightfull Varieties of Presentors, with Speeches, Songs, and Actions, properly and punctually described. All set forth at the proper Cost and Charges of the Worshipful Company of Drapers. Devised and Composed by Tho. Jordan, Gent.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: London's Joy; Or, The Lord Mayor's Show

Performance Comment: Triumphantly Exhibited in Various Representations, Scenes, and splendid Ornaments, with divers pertinent Figures and Movements: Performed on Saturday, October XXIX. 1681. At the Inauguration of the Right Honourable Sir John Moore, Knight, Lord Mayor of the City of London. With the Several Speeches, and Songs, which were spoken on the Pageant in Cheapside, and Sung in Guild-Hall during Dinner. All the Charges and Expences of the Industrious Designs being the sole Undertaking of the Worshipful Company of Grocers. Devised and Composed by Tho. Jordan, Gent.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Lord Mayor's Show

Performance Comment: [Being a Description of the Solemnity at the Inauguration of the truly Loyal and Right Honourable Sir William Prichard, Kt. Lord Mayor of the the City of London; President of the Honourable Artillery-Company, and a Member of the Worshipful Company of Merchant-Taylors. Perform'd on Monday September sic] XXX. 1682. With several new Loyal Songs and Catches-.
Event Comment: The United Company. Newdigate newsletters, 20 Jan. 1682@3: Yesterday was acted at the Theatre Royall the first of a new play Entituled the City Politiques the novelty of wch drew a Confluence of Spectators under both Qualifications of Whigg and Tory to hear and behold a Ld Mayor Sheriffs & some Aldermen with their wives in yr usuall formalityes buffoond & Reviled a great Lawyer with his young Lady Jeared and Intreagued Dr Oates pfectly represented berogued & beslaved the papist plott Egregiously Rediculed the Irish Testemonyes Contradictiorily disproved & befoold the Whiggs totally vanquished & undon Law & property men oreruld & there wanted nothing of Artifice in behaviour and discourse to render all those obnoxious & dispised in fine such a medly of occurences intervened that twas a question whether more of Loyalty designe or Rhetorique prvailed but there were mighty clappings among the poeple of both partyes in Expressing either their sattisfaction or displeasure (Wilson, Theatre Notes from the Newdigate Newsletters, p. 81). The Prologue and Epilogue, separately Printed, have 20 Jan. 1682@3 as Luttrell's date of acquisition (Huntington Library) and are reprinted in Wiley's Rare Prologues and Epilogues, pp. 166-69. John Dennis, To Mr --- In which are some Passages of the Life of Mr John Crown, Author of Sir Courtly Nice, June 23, 1719: About that time he writ The City Politicks, on purpose to Satyrize and expose the Whigs; a Comedy so agreeable, that it deserv'd to be writ in a much better Cause: But after he had writ he met with very great Difficulties in the getting it acted. Bennet Lord Arlington, who was then Lord Chamberlain of the King's Houshold, and who had secretly espous'd the Whigs, who were at that time powerful in Parliament, in order to support himself against the Favour and Power of the Lord Treasurer Danby, who was his declared Enemy, us'd all his Authority to suppress it. One While it was prohibited on the account of its being Dangerous, another while it was laid aside on the pretence of its being Falt and Insipid; till Mr Crown at last was forc'd to have Recourse to the king himself, and to engage him to give his absolute Command to the Lord Chamberlain for the acting of it; which Command the King was Pleas'd to give in his own Person (I, 49-50). Morrice Entry Book, Vol.1 1682@3: Mr Crowne [was cudgled on Wednesday last in St Martin's Lane and] hee that beat him said hee did it at the suite of the Earle of Rochester some time since deceased who greatly abused in the play for his penetency &c. (p. 353. I owe this note to the courtesy of Professor David M. Vieth of the University of Kansas and Professor G. H. Jones of Kansas State University)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The City Politiques

Event Comment: The United Company. An order, 9 Feb. 1683@4, in L. C. 5@145, p. 14 (Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 356), and another, L. C. I, specify requirements for a play to be acted at Whitehall on 11 Feb. 1683@4, and name Valentinian as the drama. The first Prologue and the Epilogue Written by a Person of Quality were printed separately; Luttrell's copy (Bindley Collection, William Andrews Clark@Jr@Library) is dated 20 Feb. 1683@4. They are reprinted in Wiley, Rare Prologues and Epilogues, pp. 249-51. It is not certain on what date the first performance occurred, for premieres at court are quite rare in the Restoration period. In Nahum Tate's Poems by Several Hands (1685): Sir Francis Fane: A Masque Made at the Request of the Earl of Rochester, for the Tragedy of Vadentinian. Downes (p. 40): The well performance, and the vast Interest the Author made in Town, Crown'd the Play, with great Gain of Reputation; and Profit to the Actors. For an intended cast of Rochester's alteration of the play by John Fletcher, see the introductory note to the season of 1675-76. In A Pastoral in French by Lewis Grabu (published in 1684; advertised in the London Gazette, No. 1947, 17 July 1684) are two songs for this play for which Grabu apparently composed the music: Injurious charmer of my vanquished heart and Kindness hath resistless charms. In Choice Ayres and Songs, The Fourth Book, 1684, is: A new Song in the late reviv'd Play, call'd Valentinian: Where would coy Aminta run [the composer of the music not being indicated]

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Valentinian

Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the first performance is not certain, but Luttrell acquired his copy of the separately-printed Prologue and Epilogue on 18 Aug. 1684. (Bindley Collection, William Andrews Clark@Jr@Library), and the play was probably first performed on that day or in the preceding week. The Prologue and Epilogue are reprinted in Wiley, Rare Prologues and Epilogues, pp. 221-23. In the broadside the speaker of the Prologue is identified as Jevon. A sofg, Ah poor Oliver never boast, the verse by a Lady, and the music by R. King, is in A Collection of Twenty-Four Songs, 1685. Another, Damon if you wilt believe me, the verse by a Person of Quality and the music by Alexander Damascene, is in The Banquet of Musick, The Fifth Book, 1691. Two songs, Tell me no more I am deceived, the verse by Sir George Etherege and the music by J. B. Draghi, and Who can resist my Celia's charms, the music by J. B. Drahgi, and the verse by A Person of Quality, are in the printed play. This cast contains the last new role certainly assigned to John Wiltshire, who, according to (Cibber, Apology, ed. Lowe, I, 84-85), entered the army and was killed in action

Performances

Mainpiece Title: A Duke And No Duke

Performances

Mainpiece Title: London's Royal Triumph For The City's Loyal Magistrate In An Exact Description Of Several Scenes And Pageants, Adorned With Many Magnificent Representations

Performance Comment: Performed on Wednesday, October XXIX. 1684. At the instalment and Inauguration of the Right Honourable Sir James Smith, Knight, Lord Mayor of the City of London. Illustrated with divers Delightful Objects of Gallantry and Jollity, Speeches and Songs, Single and in Parts. Set forth at the Proper Costs and Charges of the Worshipful Company of Drapers. Devised and Composed by Tho. Jordan, Gent.
Event Comment: Christopher Jeaffreson to Colonel Hill, 29 Oct. 1684: Sir James Hackett, lieutenant-colonell to the Lord Dunbarton's regiment, was wounded in the thigh by one Mr Potter in the Playhouse; of which woud he has since died. He is much lamented by his Majesty, and all that knew him (J. C. Jeaffreson, A Young Squire of the Seventeenth Century [London, 1878], II, 143-44)

Performances

Event Comment: The United Company. This performance is on the L. C. list, 5@147, p. 68: The King & Queene at the Silent Woman. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 350. Matthew Prior, Satire Upon the Poets: @Mountfort how fit for Politicks and Law@That play'd so well Sir Courtly and Jack Daw.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Silent Woman

Performances

Mainpiece Title: London's Annual Triumph Performed On Thursday, Octob

Performance Comment: 29. 1685. For the Entertainment of the Right Honourable Sir Robert Jeffreys, Kt Lord Mayor of the City of London. With a Description of the several Pageants, Speeches, and Songs made proper for the Occasion. All set forth at the proper Costs and Charges of the Worshipful Company of Iron@Mongers. Composed by Matt. Taubman.
Event Comment: The Memoirs of Sir John Reresby, 18 Jan. 1685@6: After dinner the Lord? Chancellor, having drunke smartly at table (which was his custome) called for one Monfort, a gentleman of his that had been a comedian, an excellent mimick, and to divert the company, as he called it, made him give us a caus, that is, plead before him in a feigned action, wher he acted all the principal lawyers of the age, in their tone of voice, and action or gesture of body; and thus ridiculed not only the lawyers, but the law itselfe. This, I confess, was very diverting, but not soe prudent as I thought for soe eminent a man in soe great a station of the lawe; since nothing could get a man more enemies than to deride thos whom they ought most to sopport (ed. Browning, pp. 408-9)

Performances

Performances

Mainpiece Title: London's Yearly Jubilee : Performed On Friday October Xxix

Performance Comment: 1686. For the Entertainment of the Right Honourable Sir John Peale, Knight, Lord Mayor of the City of London. With a Description of the several Pageants, Speeches and Songs, made proper for the Occasion. All set forth at the proper Costs and Charges of the Right Worshipful the Company of Mercers. Composed by M. Taubman.
Event Comment: John Dryden to Sir George Etherege, 16 Feb. 1686@7: The Coffee-house stands certainly where it did, & angry men meet in the square sometimes, as Abercomy, & Goodman lately did, where they say Alexander the Great was wounded in the arme (The Letters of John Dryden, ed. Ward, p. 27). See 27 Oct. 1686

Performances

Event Comment: In L. C. 5@148, p. 64 (see Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 356) is a warrant for a payment of #20 to John Crowne for Sir Courtly Nice. This may represent a recent performance or be simply a gift

Performances

Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but Lord Granville, writing on 5 May 1688, refers to the King's presence on the third day, and since The Squire of Alsatia may have begun its run about 2 May 1688, Crowne's play must have been produced by the end of April. Lord Granville to Sir William Leveson, 5 May 1688: The town is as empty of news as the Court; we have had a new play called The Fall of Darius (written by Crown), by which the poet, though he could get no fame, yet had a most extraordinary third day by reason the King's presence at it; the first day of its acting Mrs Bower [Barry] was taken so violently ill in the midst of her part that she was forced to be carried off, and instead of dying in jest was in danger of doing it in earnest. Mrs Cook is dead and Mrs Boute...is again come upon the stage, where she appears with great applause. We are promised this week another new play of Shadwell's called the Alsatia Bully, which is very much commended by those who have had the private perusal of it (HMC, 5th Report, Part II, pP. 197-98). Dedication, Edition of 1688: A misfortune fell upon this Play, that might very well dizzy the Judgments of the Audience. Just before the Play began, Mrs Barry was struck with a very violent Fever, that took all Spirit from her, by consequence from the Play; the Scenes She acted fell dead from her; and in the 4th Act her distemper grew so much upon her, She cou'd go on no further, but all her part in that Act was wholly cut out and neither Spoke nor Read; that the People went away without Knowning the contexture of the Play, yet thought they knew all....[My] Thanks to His Majesty for the Honor of his Presence, on the Day which was to be for my Advantage; which He was pleased to Grant me. [See L. C. 5@148, p. 195--in Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 356--for a grant of #20 as a gift from the King to Crowne for this play.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Darius, King Of Persia