Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first performance is not known, but the fact that the play was advertised in the Post Boy, 17-20 April 1697, suggests a premiere preceding Easter; in addition, the large number of minor actors suggests a Lenten performance, possibly in February, certainly no later than early March. One song, So fair young Caelia's Charms, the music by Daniel Purcell and sung by Mr Magnus's Boy, was printed separately in 1697. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 18: Triumphs of Vertue, tho' I think this no ill Play, yet 'twas Damn'd

Event Comment: Rich's Company. Lady Morley attended this performance. Hotson, Commonwealth and Restoration Stage, p. 377: Lady Morley and two in the Box at the Libertine 12s. [This play was reprinted in 1697, but the edition has no actors' names.

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first performance is not certain, but the Preface refers to the Long Vacation and a thin house, suggesting a late summer production. As the play was advertised in the Post Boy, 16-18 Nov. 1697, a first performance in October 1697 is probably the latest date for this play, and September seems more likely. Among the songs are several for whom the composer and singer are named: Happy we who free from love, and How calm Eliza are these groves, the music set by Morgan and both sung by Mrs Lindsey. She comes my goddess comes, set by Morgan and sung by Mrs Cibber. Sleep shepherd sleep, the music set by Morgan and sung by Mrs Cross. All four are in A Collection of New Songs, 1697. Preface, Edition of 1698: To serve the wants of a thin Playhouse, and Long Vacation...This hasty Brat...had the Honor of keeping the Stage for five Days Reign. Animadversions on Mr Congreve's late Answer to Mr Collier (1698), pp. 34-35: The mighty Man of Wit [Congreve]...at the Representation of this Play...was seen very gravely with his Hat over his Eyes among his chief Actors, and Actresses, together with the two She Things, call'd Poetesses, which Write for his House, as 'tis nobly call'd; thus seated in State among those and some other of his Ingenious critical Friends, they fell all together upon a full cry of Damnation, but when they found the malicious Hiss would not take, this very generous, obliging Mr Congreve was heard to say, We'll find out a New way for this Spark, take my word there is a way of clapping of a Play down

Event Comment: Rich's Company. The date of the first production is not known, but A Comparison between the Two Stages (1702) (pp. 21-23) implies that this work preceded Rinaldo and Armida (performed at lif probably in November 1698). The Island Princess was not published until 1699 (the Masque being advertised in the Post Boy, 7-9 Feb. 1698@9, and the Opera in the Flying Post, 7-9 March 1698@9). A Comparison between the Two Stages (1702), pp. 21-22: Sullen: The old House have a Bawble offer'd 'em, made out of Fletcher's Island Princess, sometime after alter'd by Mr Tate, and now erected into an Opera by Motteux: The Actors labour at this like so many Galley Slaves at an Oar, they call in the Fiddle, the Voice, the Painter, and the Carpenter to help 'em; and what neither the Poet nor the Player cou'd do, the Mechanick must do for him:...but as I was saying-the Opera now possesses the Stage, and after a hard struggle, at length it prevail'd, and something more than Charges came in every Night: The Quality, who are always Lovers of good Musick, flock hither, and by almost a total revolt from the other House, give this new Life, and set it in some eminency above the New; this was a sad mortification to the old Stagers in Lincolns-Inn-fields. For a poem, The Confederates; or the first Happy Day of the Island Princess, see Poem on Affairs of State, 1703, II, 248-50

Event Comment: Rich's Company. London Post, 5-8 July 1700: This day at the Theatre Royal in Drury-lane, will be presented a Play called, Sophonisba, or Hannibals Overthrow, not performed by the publick Actors but all by young Gentlemen and Ladies for their own Diversion. The Benefit for the young People of the House

Event Comment: By Susanna Centlivre. Dat of premiere unknown. Published 22 Oct.] Preface: It wanted only the addition of good Actors, and a Full Town to have brought on a Sixth Night

Event Comment: English Post, 8-11 Nov.: There was a full House...but Capt Griffin, who was chief actor therein, being taken ill, they were dismissed all having their money returned

Event Comment: [This performance is conjectured from Luttrell's statement (Luttrell, IV, 712), "the actors ridiculed a christning, and Underhill represented the archbishop," and from the performance on Monday 25.

Event Comment: Post Boy, 5-7 Dec.: The Actors of the Theatre Royal, finding the Inconveniency to the Gentry of Playing so late at night, are resolved to continue, beginning their Plays at the Hour of Five every Day, as exprest in their Bills

Event Comment: By Subscription. None to be admitted into the Pit or Boxes but by the Subscribers Tickets. The Boxes on the Stage and the Galleries are for the Benefit of the actors. At 5 p.m

Event Comment: By Subscription. Admission to Pit or Boxes by Subscribers' Tickets only. Stage Boxes 7s. 6d., Galleries 2s. 6d. and 1s. 6d. are for the Benefit of the Actors. At 5 p.m. No Person to stand on the Stage

Event Comment: After the Italian manner, All sung, being set to Musick by Master Clayton. No Person to be admitted into the Boxes or Pit but by the Subscriber's Tickets. The Boxes on the Stage and the Galleries are for the Benefit of the Actors. [Premiere of the opera.

Event Comment: By her Majesty's License and Authority. [dl had come under the management of Aaron Hill, who shared the direction of the house with seven actors.

Event Comment: Note, That Subscribers' Tickets pass this Day, and every Day during Mr Penkethman's stay at Greenwich, unless it be some particular Actor's Benefit-Day

Event Comment: Benefit the Principal Actors. Carefully Revis'd. With all the Original Decorations of Scenes, Witches' Songs and Dances, proper for the Occasion

Event Comment: Benefit the Young Actors on Account of their Arrears. Receipts: money #15 4s. 6d. and tickets #79 7s

Event Comment: [By Charles Beckingham.] Never Acted before. With Habits for all the Characters entirely New. Preface: [The play] was twice deferr'd by reason of a Principal Actor's Indisposition;...and even, when brought on the Stage, appear'd to less Advantage: The Principal Character of the Play being read the First Night, and the next Principal Character the Second

Event Comment: Not Acted these Thirty Years. Written originally in French by Moliere. Original Weekly Journal, 28 June: On Friday 7-Night one Mr Kelley, an Irish Gentleman, was kill'd by Mr Ryan, one of the Actors of Lincolns-Inn-Fields Theatre; the Accident happen'd thus: Mr Ryan being at the Sun-Eating House in Long Acre at Supper; Mr Kelley, who before had terrified several Companions by drawing his Sword upon Persons whom he did not know, came up into the Room drunk, and abused Mr Ryan, who returned him very civil Usage, and desired his Absence: This did not satisfie Mr Kelley, who drew his Sword, made three Passes at Mr Ryan, before he could get his own Sword, which lay by in the Window; at last finding his own Life in Danger, He drew and ran Mr Kelley in the left Side, who fell down and immediately died