Event Comment: Betterton's Company.
The date of
the first performance is not certain, but contemporary sources refer to
the fact that
William Smith, who died in
the last week of December, fell ill on
the fourth day of its run; hence, it probably was first presented in mid-December. One song,
O take him gently from the pile, set by
John Eccles and sung by
Mrs Bracegirdle, is in
Deliciae Musicae,
The Fourth Book, 1696.
Downes,
Roscius Anglicanus, p. 44:
The Grand Cyrus, wrote by
Mr Banks; it was a good Play; but
Mr Smith, having a long part in it, fell Sick upon
the Fourth Day and Dy'd, upon that it lay by, and ne'er have bin Acted since.
Gildon,
English Dramatick Poets, p. 6: Tho' this Play had been formerly refus'd
the Action, yet it held up its Head about Six Days toge
ther, and has been since Acted several Times.
A Comparison Between the Two Stages: Sullen, p. 16: Banks's, which
the Players damn'd and wou'd not Act of a great while, but at length it was acted, and damn'd
then in manner and form
Performances
Mainpiece Title: Cyrus The Great; Or, The Tragedy Of Love
Performance Comment: Edition of 1696: Prologue to Her Royal Highness-; Cyrus the Great-Betterton; Cyaxares-Smith; Hystaspes-Kynaston; Craesus-Bowman; Abradatas-Hudson; Artabasus-Thurmond; Thoiyris-Mrs Bowtell; Panthea-Mrs Barry; Lausaria-Mrs Bracegirdle; Epilogue-the Boy, Girl by way of Dialogue.