Event Comment: The Duke's Company. If
the run of
The Wits occurred as it is outlined above, this would presumably be
the first day of
Hamlet.
Pepys, Diary: To
the Opera, and
there saw
Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, done with scenes very well, but above all,
Betterton did
the prince's part beyond imagination.
Downes (p. 21):
The Tragedy of
Hamlet:
Hamlet being Perform'd by Mr Betterton,
Sir William (having seen
Mr Taylor of
the Black-Fryars Company Act it, who being Instructed by
the Author
Mr Shakespear) taught
Mr Betterton in every Particle of it; which by his exact Performance of it, gain'd him Esteem and Reputation, Superlative to all o
ther Plays...No succeeding Tragedy for several Years got more Reputation, or Money to
the Company than this
Performances
Mainpiece Title: Hamlet, Prince Of Denmark