SELECT * FROM london_stages WHERE MATCH('(@(authnameclean,perftitleclean,commentcclean,commentpclean) "William Congreve"/1) | (@(roleclean,performerclean) "William Congreve")') 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 10791 matches on Author, 1674 matches on Performance Comments, 729 matches on Event Comments, 52 matches on Performance Title, and 1 matches on Roles/Actors.
Event Comment: The United Company. The date of the first performance is not known. The January issue of the Gentleman's Journal, wnich did not appear until some time in February, stated: Mr Congreve...hath written a Comedy, which will be acted in a little time, and is to be call'd, The Old Batchelor (p. 28). The Gentleman's Journal, February 1692@3 (issued in March 1693): The success of Mr Congreve's Old Batchelor has been so extraordinary, that I can tell you nothing new of that Comedy; you have doubtless read it before this, since it has been already printed thrice. And indeed the Wit which is diffus'd through it, makes it lose but few of those Charms in the Perusal, which yield such pleasure in the Representation. Mr Congreve will in some time give us another play; you may judge by this how acceptable it will be (p. 61). In addition, a reference in the Epilogue indicates that it was produced during Lent, ano since the third edition was advertized in the London Gazette, No. 2856, 23-27 March 1693, early March seems the most likely date for the premiere. According to The Female Wits (ca. 1696), The Old Batchelor was acted fourteen days successively. John Barnard of Yale University states that Narcissus Luttrell's copy of The Old Batchelor in the Newberry Library bears the notation: "10d Mar. 16 1692@3." BM Add. Mss. 4221 (341) Memoirs Relating to Mr Congreve Written by Mr Thomas Southern (in Macdonald, Bibliography of Dryden, p. 54n): When he began his Play the Old Batchelor haveing little Acquaintance with the traders in that way, his Cozens recommended him to a friend of theirs, who was very usefull to him in the whole course of his play, he engag'd Mr Dryden in its favour, who upon reading it sayd he never saw such a first play in his life, but the Author not being acquainted with the stage or the town, it woud be pity to have it miscarry for want of a little Assistance: the stuff was rich indeed, it wanted only the fashionable cutt of the town. To help that Mr Dryden, Mr Arthur Manwayring, and Mr Southern red it with great care, and Mr Dryden putt it in the order it was playd, Mr Southerne obtained of Mr Thos. Davenant who then governd the Playhouse, that Mr Congreve should have the privilege of the Playhouse half a year before his play was playd, wh. I never knew allowd any one before. The music for the play was composed by Henry Purcell. See Purcell's Works, Purcell Society, XXI (1917), iii-v

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Old Batchelor

Performance Comment: Edition of 1693: Prologue intended for the Old Batchelor [sent to the Author, by an unknown Hand-; Prologue-Mrs Bracegirdle; Epilogue-Mrs Barry; Heartwell-Betterton; Bellmour-Powel; Vainlove-Williams; Sharper-Alexander [Verbruggen]; Sir Joseph-Bowen; Bluff-Hains; Fondlewife-Dogget; Servant-Underhill; Araminta-Mrs Bracegirdle; Belinda-Mrs Mountfort; Laetitia-Mrs Barry; Sylvia-Mrs Bowman; Lucy-Mrs Leigh.
Cast
Role: Vainlove Actor: Williams
Related Works
Related Work: The Old Batchelor Author(s): William Congreve
Related Work: The Credulous Husband Author(s): William Congreve
Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Clive.--At the particular Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Mainpiece: Written by the late Mr Congreve. [The Stage] will be properly inclos'd, and form'd into Boxes, to prevent the Ladies taking Cold. [Tickets at Mrs Clive's House, Cecil Street, the Strand.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Way Of The World

Performance Comment: Millamant-Mrs Clive, in which Character will be produced the Original Song, the Words by Mr Congreve, and new set to Musick by Mr Handel; Mirabel-Milward; Fainall-Mills; Sir Wilful-Turbutt; Witwoud-Chapman; Petulant-Macklin; Waitwell-Shepard; Marwood-Mrs Butler; Lady Wishfort-Mrs Macklin; Mrs Fainall-Mrs Pritchard; Foible-Miss Bennet; Mincing-Mrs Walter.
Related Works
Related Work: The Way of the World Author(s): William Congreve

Afterpiece Title: The Devil to Pay

Dance: I: Le Tambourine-Mlle Chateauneuf; In IV: Muilment; V: Ballet-Denoyer, Mlle Chateauneuf

Song: III: Would You Taste the Noon@Tide Air (Comus)-Miss Edwards

Event Comment: Benefit Thurmond. Written by Mr Congreve

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Mourning Bride

Performance Comment: King-Mills; Osmyn-Booth; Gonsalez-Thurmond; Garcia-Williams; Almeria-Mrs Thurmond; Zara-Mrs Porter; Leonora-Miss Seal.
Cast
Role: Garcia Actor: Williams
Related Works
Related Work: The Mourning Bride Author(s): William Congreve

Dance:

Event Comment: At the particular Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Written by Mr Congreve

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Mourning Bride

Performance Comment: King-Mills; Osmyn-Booth; Gonsalez-Thurmond; Garcia-Williams; Zara-Mrs Porter; Almeria-Mrs Thurmond.
Cast
Role: Garcia Actor: Williams
Related Works
Related Work: The Mourning Bride Author(s): William Congreve
Event Comment: Benefit Thurmond Sr. Mainpiece: Written by Mr Congreve

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Mourning Bride

Performance Comment: King-Mills; Osmyn-Booth; Gonsalez-Thurmond; Garcia-Williams; Heli-Boman; Selim-W. Mills; Alonzo-Watson; Zara-Mrs Porter; Almeria-Mrs Thurmond.
Cast
Role: Garcia Actor: Williams
Related Works
Related Work: The Mourning Bride Author(s): William Congreve

Afterpiece Title: The School Boy

Dance: HHarlequin and Pirotte-Mlle Harvay

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Walter and Sandham's Children. Written by Mr Congreve

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Mourning Bride

Performance Comment: King-Mills; Osmyn-Booth; Gonsalez-Thurmond; Garcia-Williams; Heli-Boman; Selim-W. Mills; Alonzo-Watson [Daily Courant or Roberts: Daily Post]; Zara-Mrs Porter; Almeria-Mrs Thurmond.
Cast
Role: Garcia Actor: Williams
Related Works
Related Work: The Mourning Bride Author(s): William Congreve

Dance: SShepherd and Shepherdess-Young Sandham, Young Sandham's Sister; Scaramouch-Young Sandham; Serious Dance-Lally, Mrs Walter

Event Comment: At the particular Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Written by Mr Congreve

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Mourning Bride

Performance Comment: Osmyn-Booth; King-Mills; Gonsales-Thurmond; Garcia-Williams; Heli-Boman; W. Mills; Alonzo-Watson; Zara-Mrs Porter; Almeria-Mrs Thurmond.
Cast
Role: Garcia Actor: Williams
Related Works
Related Work: The Mourning Bride Author(s): William Congreve
Event Comment: Written by Mr Congreve

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Mourning Bride

Performance Comment: Osmyn-Elrington; King-Mills; Gonsalez-Corey; Garcia-Williams; Heli-Boman; Almeria-Mrs Thurmond; Zara-Mrs Porter; Leonora-Mrs Shireburn.
Cast
Role: Garcia Actor: Williams
Related Works
Related Work: The Mourning Bride Author(s): William Congreve
Event Comment: At the particular Desire of several Persons of Quality. Mainpiece: Written by Mr Congreve

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Mourning Bride

Performance Comment: King-W. Mills; Osmyn-Mills; Gonsalez-Corey; Garcia-Williams; Heli-Boman; Almeria-Mrs Thurmond; Leonora-Mrs Shireburn; Zara-Mrs Porter.
Cast
Role: Garcia Actor: Williams
Related Works
Related Work: The Mourning Bride Author(s): William Congreve

Afterpiece Title: The Beggar's Wedding

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by the late Mr Congreve. Daily Post, 18 Sept,: Mrs Oldfield...who was dangerously ill, is in a fair Way of Recovery

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Mourning Bride

Performance Comment: Osmyn-Mills; Zara-Mrs Porter; Almeria-Mrs Thurmond; King-W. Mills; Gonsalez-Corey; Garcia-Williams; Heli-Boman; Leonora-Mrs Shireburn.
Cast
Role: Garcia Actor: Williams
Related Works
Related Work: The Mourning Bride Author(s): William Congreve

Afterpiece Title: The Strollers

Performance Comment: Sir Barnaby-Griffin; Carbine-Bridgwater; Macahone-Williams; Buskin-Cibber Jr; Betty-Harper.
Cast
Role: Macahone Actor: Williams

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Loves Of Ergasto

Performance Comment: A new set of Singers, arriv'd from Italy [Downes, p. 48]; Prologue [written by Sir Samuel Garth-Mrs Bracegirdle; Epilogue [written by William Congreve-Mrs Bracegirdle.
Event Comment: The United Company. This performance is on the L. C. list, 5@151, p. 369: ye Q a Box & a Box for ye Maids of Honr double dealer. [See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 352.] Cibber relates an incident which may pertain to this performance, Apology, I, 185-86: Queen Mary having commanded the Double Dealer to be acted, Kynaston happen'd to be so ill that he could not hope to be able next Day to perform his Part of the Lord Touchwood. In this Exigence, the Author, Mr Congreve, advis'd that it might be given to me, if at so short a Warning I would undertake it. The Flattery of being thus distinguish'd by so celebrated an Author, and the Honour to act before a Queen, you may be sure made me blind to whatever Difficulties might attend it. I accepted the Part, and was ready in it before I slept; next Day the Queen was presented at the Play, and was received with a new Prologue from the Author, spoken by Mrs Barry, humbly acknowledging the great Honour done to the Stage....After the Play, Mr Congreve made me the Compliment of saying, That I had not only answer'd, but had exceeded his Expectations, and that he would shew me he was sincere in his saying more of me to the Masters.--He was as good as his Word, and the next Pay-day I found my Sallary of fifteen was then advanced to twenty Shillings a Week

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Double Dealer

Related Works
Related Work: The Double Dealer Author(s): William Congreve
Event Comment: Post Boy, 2-4 Feb. 1696@7: On Monday the King visited the Princess of Denmark and invited her to Whitehall on Saturday next, it being her Royal Highnesses Birth Day, and his Majesty has been pleased to give the Right Honourable the Lord Chamberlaine Orders to have the Play called Love for Love, written by Mr Congreve, Acted there the better to Celebrate the Day. Post Boy, 6-9 Feb. 1696@7: Last Saturday being the Anniversary of her Royal Highness the Princess Ann of Denmark's birth...at night the King was pleased to Entertain her with a fine Comedy, call'd Love for Love, Written by Mr Congreve, Acted by his Majesty's servants at Whitehall, where the Court appeared very gay and splendid, suitable to the occasion. [Somewhat similar references appear also in Luttrell, A Brief Relation, IV, 180, and The Flying Post, 6-9 Feb. 1696@7.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Love For Love

Related Works
Related Work: Love for Love Author(s): William Congreve
Event Comment: Betterton's Company. The date of the first performance is not certain, but the evidence points to this day as a strong Possibility. Downes, Roscius Anglicanus (p. 44) states that it was given thirteen days consecutively, and John Coke (see 16 March 1696@7) states that it was acted "till Saturday" (16 March 1696@7). If the tragedy was acted on Wednesdays but not Fridays, as was often the practice in Lent, and if the farce alluded to for Saturday, 16 March 1696@7, comprised the entire program, this day was probably the premiere. The following sequence of performances is based on these premises. Downes, Roscius Anglicanus, p. 44: The Mourning Bride...had such Success, that it continu'd Acting Uninterrupted 13 Days together. Gildon, English Dramatick Poets, p. 23: This Play had the greatest Success, not only of all Mr Congreve's, but indeed of all the Plays that ever I can remember on the English Stage, excepting some of the incomparable Otway's. Aston, A Brief Supplement (in Cibber, Apology, II, 302): His [Betterton's] Favourite, Mrs Barry, claims the next in Estimation. They were both never better pleas'd, than in Playing together.--Mrs Barry outshin'd Mrs Bracegirdle in the Character of Zara in the Mourning Bride, altho' Mr Congreve design'd Almeria for that Favour

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Mourning Bride

Related Works
Related Work: The Mourning Bride Author(s): William Congreve
Event Comment: Betterton's Company. John Dryden to Mrs Steward, 4 March 1698@9: This Day is playd a reviv'd Comedy of Mr Congreve's called the Double Dealer, which was never very takeing; in the play bill was printed, Written by Mr Congreve; with Severall Expressions omitted: What kind of Expressions those were you may easily ghess; if you have seen the Monday's Gazette, wherein is the King s Order, for the reformation of the Stage: but the printing an Authours name, in a Play bill, is a new manner of proceeding, at least in England (Letters of John Dryden, 112-13)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Double Dealer

Related Works
Related Work: The Double Dealer Author(s): William Congreve
Event Comment: [By Congreve, Vanbrugh, and Walsh. Premiere. According to Congreve (I, 76), he, Vanbrugh, and Walsh wrote the farce for this subscription music but they had no intention of printing it. The edition of 1704 is a translation by another hand, but the cast presumably represents that for this night.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Concert

Afterpiece Title: Squire Trelooby

Related Works
Related Work: Squire Trelooby Author(s): William WalshWilliam Congreve

Dance: l'Abbe, duRuel, Cherrier, Mrs Elford, Mrs Champion, Mrs Mayers, others

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Love For Love

Performance Comment: See17090312 but Valentine-Betterton; Ben-Dogget; Angelica-Mrs Bracegirdle; Mrs Frail-Mrs Barry; Prologue written by Congreve-Mrs Bracegirdle; An Epilogue written by Rowe,-Mrs Barry, having Betterton on her Right Hand, between herself, Mrs Bracegirdle.
Cast
Role: Congreve Actor: Mrs Bracegirdle
Related Works
Related Work: Love for Love Author(s): William Congreve
Event Comment: At the particular Desire of several Ladiesof Quality. Written by Mr Congreve

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Mourning Bride

Cast
Role: Garcia Actor: Williams
Related Works
Related Work: The Mourning Bride Author(s): William Congreve
Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Thurmond. Written by Mr Congreve

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Mourning Bride

Cast
Role: Garcia Actor: Williams
Related Works
Related Work: The Mourning Bride Author(s): William Congreve

Dance: End II: Pierrot's Dance-Roger, Mrs Brett; III: Polonese-Young Rainton, Miss Robinson; IV: The Grand Flower Dance call'd La Badinage Champetre-Roger, Mrs Booth, Lally, Miss Tenoe, Boval, Mrs Walter, Haughton, Mrs Brett, Duplessis, Mrs Young

Event Comment: Benefit Oates. Written by Mr Congreve

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Mourning Bride

Cast
Role: Garcia Actor: Williams
Related Works
Related Work: The Mourning Bride Author(s): William Congreve

Afterpiece Title: The What D'ye Call It

Dance: TThe Muzette-Miss Robinson, Young Rainton; The Fawns-Essex, Lally, Haughton, Duplessis, Mrs Brett, Mrs Walter

Event Comment: At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality. Mainpiece: Written by Mr Congreve

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Mourning Bride

Cast
Role: Garcia Actor: Williams
Related Works
Related Work: The Mourning Bride Author(s): William Congreve

Afterpiece Title: Perseus and Andromeda

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Written by the late Mr Congreve

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Mourning Bride

Cast
Role: Garcia Actor: Williams
Related Works
Related Work: The Mourning Bride Author(s): William Congreve

Afterpiece Title: The Contrivances

Event Comment: By Command of his Royal Highness. Mainpiece: Written by the late Mr Congreve. [Prince and Princesses Amelia and Carolina were present.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Mourning Bride

Cast
Role: Garcia Actor: Williams
Related Works
Related Work: The Mourning Bride Author(s): William Congreve

Afterpiece Title: The Stage Coach

Related Works
Related Work: The Stage Coach Opera Author(s): William Chetwood
Event Comment: At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. Mainpiece: Written by the late Mr Congreve

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Mourning Bride

Cast
Role: Garcia Actor: Williams
Related Works
Related Work: The Mourning Bride Author(s): William Congreve

Afterpiece Title: Perseus and Andromeda

Event Comment: Betterton's Company. The date of this performance, which coincides with the opening of the playhouse in Lincoln's Inn Fields by Betterton's Company, is established by Downes, Roscius Anglicanus, pp. 43-44: [Betterton, Mrs Bracegirdle, Mrs Barry, and others] set up a new Company, calling it the New Theatre in Lincolns-Inn-Fields; and the House being fitted up from a Tennis-Court, they Open'd it the last Day of April 1695, with a new Comedy: Call'd, Love for Love....This Comedy being Extraordinary well Acted, chiefly the Part of Ben the Sailor, it took 13 Days Successively. Three songs in the play were published separately: I tell thee, Charmion, the music by Finger, sung by Pate and Reading, is in Thesaurus Musicus, 1696, The Fifth Book. A Nymph and a Swain, the music by John Eccles and sung by Pate; and A Soldier and a Saylour, the music by John Eccles, and sung by Dogget, are in Thesaurus Musicus, The Fourth Book, 1695. Cibber, Apology, I, 196-97: After we had stolen some few Days March upon them, the Forces of Betterton came up with us in terrible Order: In about three Weeks following, the new Theatre was open'd against us with veteran Company and a new Train of Artillery; or in plainer English, the old Actors in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields began with a new Comedy of Mr Congreve's, call'd Love for Love, which ran on with such extraordinary Success that they had seldom occasion to act any other Play 'till the End of the Season. This valuable Play had a narrow Escape from falling into the Hands of the Patentees; for before the Division of the Company it had been read and accepted of at the Theatre-Royal: But while the Articles of Agreement for it were preparing, the Rupture in the Theatrical State was so far advanced that the Author took time to pause before he sign'd them; when finding that all Hopes of Accomodation were impracticable, he thought it advisable to let it takes its Fortune with those Actors for whom he had first intended the Parts. A Comparison Between the Two Stages (1702), p. 10: Ramble: You know the New-house opened with an extraordinary good Comedy, the like has scarce been heard of. Critick: I allow that Play contributed not a little to their Reputation and Profit; it was the Work of a popular Author; but that was not all, the Town was ingag'd in its favour, and in favour of the Actors long before the Play was Acted. Sullen: I've heard as much; and I don't grudge 'em that happy beginning, to compensate some part of their Expence and Toil: But the assistance they receiv'd from some Noble Persons did 'em eminent Credit; and their appearance in the Boxes, gave the House as much Advantage as their Contributions. Ramble: Faith if their Boxes had not been well crowded, their Galleries wou'd ha' fallen down on their Heads. Sullen: The good Humour those Noble Patrons were in, gave that Comedy such infinite Applause; and what the Quality approve, the lower sort take upon trust. Gildon, The Lives and Characters (ca. 1698), p. 22: This Play, tho' a very good Comedy in it self, had this Advantage, that it was Acted at the Opening of the New House, when the Town was so prepossess'd in Favour of the very Actors, that before a Word was spoke, each Actor was clapt for a considerable Time. And yet all this got it not more Applause than it really deserv'd. An Essay on Acting (London, 1744), p. 10: The late celebrated Mr Dogget, before he perform'd the Character of Ben in Love for Love, took Lodgings in Wapping, and gather'd thence a Nosegay for the whole Town

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Love For Love

Related Works
Related Work: Love for Love Author(s): William Congreve