Lisle's Tennis Court was a building off Portugal Street in

Lincoln's Inn Fields Lincoln's Inn Fields is the largest public square in London. It was laid out in the 1630s under the initiative of the speculative builder and contractor William Newton, "the first in a long series of entrepreneurs who took a hand in develo ...

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

. Originally built as a

real tennis Real tennis – one of several games sometimes called "the sport of kings" – is the original racquet sport from which the modern game of tennis (also called "lawn tennis") is derived. It is also known as court tennis in the United Sta ...

court, it was used as a playhouse during two periods, 1661–1674 and 1695–1705. During the early period, the theatre was called Lincoln's Inn Fields Playhouse, also known as The Duke's Playhouse, The New Theatre or The Opera. The building was demolished and replaced by a purpose-built theatre for a third period, 1714–1728. The tennis court theatre was the first public playhouse in London to feature the moveable scenery that would become a standard feature of Restoration theatres.

Historical background

The period beginning in England in 1642 and lasting until 1660 is known as the Interregnum, meaning "between kings." At this time, there was no monarch on the throne, and theatre was against the law. Spanning from 1642 to 1649, the English Civil War occurred. This war was an uprising against the current King of England, King Charles I, led by Oliver Cromwell, a Puritan. Cromwell's opposition to the throne was religious but political, as well, which led him to build up an army with the ability to imprison King Charles, who was beheaded in 1649, ending the war. After his death, the King's wife and children were given permission to leave the country, so they travelled to France to escape and receive protection. The years following became known as the Commonwealth Era (1649-1660) because Cromwell, who established himself as the monarch figure without assuming any official authority, ruled the nation with Parliament support and renamed the England Republic to the English Commonwealth. These were tough times for England as Cromwell persecuted many families, especially those who fought on the behalf of King Charles I and Irish families that held rustic Catholic beliefs. Needless to say, Oliver Cromwell quickly fell out of the majority's favour, and he died in 1658 of natural causes. Two years later, Charles II, the beheaded king's son, returned to England and began the Restoration by restoring the throne and claiming his role as the proper King of England. In addition, King Charles II's return restored the legality of theatre. This history is significant because it explains that since Charles II spent most of his life in France, he, as King, appreciated French culture, which prominently impressed upon England during the Restoration, particularly Restoration theatre.

Structure

There are no extant photos, elaborate diagrams, paintings, or other forms of visual evidence of the inside of the Lincoln's Inn theatre, but certain aspects are understood of the theatre according to its time period. However, a great example of the layout of the inside is the Theatre Royal in Richmond, England, which contains components of Restoration theatre spaces and still stands today. Lincoln's Inn Fields Playhouse was very small. In fact, Milhous believes that "the smaller seating capacity… hurt the uke’scompany in the long run" as they moved as newer theatres came along (Milhous 71). It was around 75 feet long by 30 feet wide with about a 650-person audience seating maximum capacity (The Restoration Theater; Wilson and Goldfarb 249). It was originally an indoor tennis court; courts were used as theatre spaces because they had a similar structure with a narrow, rectangular shape and gallery seating. The stage was raked, sloping upward toward the back of the stage, in order to help with perspective. The audience was divided into the pit, boxes, and galleries. The pit had backless benches and a raked floor that rose toward the back of the audience to help sightlines. Mostly single men sat here, and it was the noisiest, rowdiest area in the theatre. Boxes sat upper class aristocrats—mostly married couples with wives who wanted to be seen. Galleries held the lower class, including servants of the upper classes in attendance. The English stage, unlike French or Italian theatres, had a very deep apron to provide adequate acting space, and the background and perspective scenery served as solely as scenery. The Lincoln's Inn Fields Playhouse orchestra was housed beneath the stage, and the apron was extended two feet to cover completely the orchestra pit and obtain close proximity between the actors and the audience, creating an intimate atmosphere. Another uniqueness of English theatres is that there were typically two pairs of doors, one on each side of the stage, called proscenium doors with balconies above them for the actors to utilize in performances. Proscenium doors served as entrances and exits disregarding the possibility of multiple locations. Candelabras provided light for the space, and manual moveable scenery was used to move the show along (The Restoration Theater).

The Duke's Company

The building was constructed as a real tennis court in 1656. Thomas Lisle's wife Anne Tyler and a man named James Hooker developed the indoor court in the winter of 1656 and 1657.

Tudor-style Tudor Revival architecture (also known as mock Tudor in the UK) first manifested itself in domestic architecture in the United Kingdom in the latter half of the 19th century. Based on revival of aspects that were perceived as Tudor architectur ...

real tennis courts were long, high-ceiling buildings, with galleries for spectators; their dimensions — about 75 by 30 feet — are similar to the earlier theatres, and much larger than a modern tennis court. After the English Restoration in 1660, Lincoln's Inn Fields Playhouse received its first company through the efforts of the King himself and two men who dedicated themselves to theatre. Sir William Davenant had received a patent from Charles the I in 1639 when he was in power, but he had never used it due to the theatre ban. When theatre was restored, Davenant and a man named Thomas Killigrew wanted to create theatre in England and thus, Killigrew obtained a warrant expressing that he could "raise a company and a theatre, provided that his company and Davenant’s should be the only ones allowed to play in London" (Hotson 199). Davenant, then, drafted their joint warrant and after much debate over whether or not their role in theatre infringed on the Master of the Revels’ power, they appealed to Charles II. Charles II determined their

Letters of Patent Letter, letters, or literature may refer to: Characters typeface * Letter (alphabet), a character representing one or more of the sounds used in speech; any of the symbols of an alphabet. * Letterform, the graphic form of a letter of the alphabe ...

were valid and created two companies to perform "legitimate drama" in London: the

Duke's Company The Duke's Company was a theatre company chartered by King Charles II at the start of the Restoration era, 1660. Sir William Davenant was manager of the company under the patronage of Prince James, Duke of York. During hats period, theatres b ...

of his brother, The Duke of York, led by

William Davenant Sir William Davenant (baptised 3 March 1606 – 7 April 1668), also spelled D'Avenant, was an English poet and playwright. Along with Thomas Killigrew, Davenant was one of the rare figures in English Renaissance theatre whose career spanned b ...

, and his company, the

King's Company The King's Company was one of two enterprises granted the rights to mount theatrical productions in London, after the London theatre closure had been lifted at the start of the English Restoration. It existed from 1660 to 1682, when it merged wi ...

, led by Thomas Killigrew. Original intentions were positive, but competition was quickly apparent between the two. Both companies briefly performed in the theatrical spaces that had survived the interregnum and

civil war A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government polici ...

(including the

Cockpit A cockpit or flight deck is the area, usually near the front of an aircraft or spacecraft, from which a pilot controls the aircraft. The cockpit of an aircraft contains flight instruments on an instrument panel, and the controls that e ...

and Salisbury Court), but scrambled to quickly acquire facilities that were more to current tastes. Taking a hint from their new King's taste, Killigrew and Davenant both chose a solution that had been used in

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

: converting tennis courts into theatres. In March 1660, Sir William Davenant contracted to lease Lisle's Tennis Court in order to renovate it into a theatre, and he bought adjoining land to expand the building into the garden area. Killigrew's theatre on Vere Street ( Gibbon's Tennis Court) opened first, in November 1660. Davenant apparently spent more time in his remodelling: Lincoln's Inn Fields opened on 28 June 1661, with the first "moveable" or "changeable" scenery used on the British public stage, and the first

proscenium arch A proscenium ( grc-gre, προσκήνιον, ) is the metaphorical vertical plane of space in a theatre, usually surrounded on the top and sides by a physical proscenium arch (whether or not truly "arched") and on the bottom by the stage floor ...

. Wings or shutters ran in grooves and could be smoothly and mechanically changed between or even within acts. The production was a revamped version of Davenant's own five-year-old opera '' The Siege of Rhodes'' where the soon-to-be famous actor, Thomas Betterton, performed the prologue. The result was such a sensation that it brought Charles II to a public theatre for the first time. This production at Lincoln's Inn Fields Playhouse "emptied Killigrew’s theatre" according to Milhous (19). Milhous also explains that the companies and other theatres "deliberately engaged in vicious head-on collision mounting the same plays" (19). The competing King's Company suddenly found itself playing to empty houses, as diarist and devoted playgoer

Samuel Pepys Samuel Pepys (; 23 February 1633 – 26 May 1703) was an English diarist and naval administrator. He served as administrator of the Royal Navy and Member of Parliament and is most famous for the diary he kept for a decade. Pepys had no mariti ...

notes on 4 July:

I went to the theatre n Vere Streetand there I saw ''Claracilla'' (the first time I ever saw it), well acted. But strange to see this house, that use to be so thronged, now empty since the opera begun—and so will continue for a while I believe.

''The Siege of Rhodes'' "continued acting 12 days without interruption with great applause" according to the prompter John Downes in his "historical review of the stage" '' Roscius Anglicanus'' (1708). This was a remarkable run for the limited potential audience of the time. More acclaimed productions by the Duke's Company "with scenes" followed at Lincoln's Inn Fields in the course of 1661 (including ''

Hamlet ''The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark'', often shortened to ''Hamlet'' (), is a tragedy written by William Shakespeare sometime between 1599 and 1601. It is Shakespeare's longest play, with 29,551 words. Set in Denmark, the play depicts ...

'' and ''

Twelfth Night ''Twelfth Night'', or ''What You Will'' is a romantic comedy by William Shakespeare, believed to have been written around 1601–1602 as a Twelfth Night's entertainment for the close of the Christmas season. The play centres on the twins Vi ...

''), all highly admired by Pepys. The King's Company was forced to abandon their own, technically unsophisticated tennis-court theatre and commission the construction of a new theatre in Bridges Street, where the Theatre Royal opened in 1663. Prince Cosimo III of Tuscany visited the Lisle theatre in 1669, and his official diarist left us this account:

he pitis surrounded within by separate compartments in which there are several degrees tepsof seating for the greater comfort of the ladies and gentlemen who, according to the liberal custom of the country, share the same boxes. Down below
n the pit N, or n, is the fourteenth letter in the Latin alphabet, used in the modern English alphabet, the alphabets of other western European languages and others worldwide. Its name in English is ''en'' (pronounced ), plural ''ens''. History ...
there remains a broad space for other members of the audience. The scenery is entirely changeable, with various transformations and lovely perspectives. Before the play begins, to render the waiting less annoying and inconvenient, there are very graceful instrumental pieces to be heard, with the result that many go early just to enjoy this part of the entertainment.

The theatre was implicated by the Grand Jury of Middlesex on 7 July 1703 for showcasing "profane, irrelevant, lewd, indecent, and immoral expressions". It was also a hot target for riots and disorderly assemblies, murders, and other misdemeanors, but despite its troubles, the theatre remained very popular including hosting the first paid performance of Purcell's Dido and Aeneas in 1700 and Handel's final two operas (Pedicord 41). Davenant died in 1668 and the Duke's Company, now under Thomas Betterton, performed out of Lincoln's Inns Fields until 1671, when they relocated to the elaborate new

Dorset Garden Theatre The Dorset Garden Theatre in London, built in 1671, was in its early years also known as the Duke of York's Theatre, or the Duke's Theatre. In 1685, King Charles II died and his brother, the Duke of York, was crowned as James II. When the Du ...

which was more popular at the time. In 1672, the theatre in Bridges Street burnt down, and the King's Company temporarily occupied the recently vacated Lincoln's Inn Field, until their new theatre opened in 1674.

Betterton and Rich

The building was converted back to a tennis court and remained one for almost 20 years. During that time, the Duke's Company, occupying the Dorset Theatre, subsumed the King's Company, housed in the newly rebuilt Theatre Royal, to form the

United Company The United Company was a London theatre company formed in 1682 with the merger of the King's Company and the Duke's Company. Both the Duke's and King's Companies suffered poor attendance during the turmoil of the Popish Plot period, 1678&ndash ...

, performing out of

Drury Lane Drury Lane is a street on the eastern boundary of the Covent Garden area of London, running between Aldwych and High Holborn. The northern part is in the borough of Camden and the southern part in the City of Westminster. Notable landmarks T ...

. Betterton, a famous English actor, was forced out as the head of the company in 1688, staying on as an actor (and filling a day-to-day managerial role) while a succession of leaders embezzled funds and cut costs by cutting actors' salaries. This uniting created many conflicts between the members of the companies. For example, each company would have one actor who would always play Hamlet, but when the companies are combined, who claims the role? Due to rivalry and competition within the United Company, Thomas Betterton petitioned to the king to separate and create his own company. So, under Christopher Rich, the United Company split. Betterton left with a band of actors and a newly issued license to perform, and from 1695 to 1705 his company performed back at Lincoln's Inn Fields Playhouse, refurbishing the abandoned building back into a theatre. The New Theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields opened in April 1695 with William Congreve's ''

Love for Love ''Love for Love'' is a Restoration comedy written by British playwright William Congreve. It premiered on 30 April 1695 at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre. Staged by Thomas Betterton's company the original cast included Betterton as Valentin ...

''.Donohue p. 7. It was later the first venue for Congreve's plays ''

The Mourning Bride ''The Mourning Bride'' is a tragedy written by British playwright William Congreve. It premiered in 1697 at Betterton's Co., Lincoln's Inn Fields. The play centers on Zara, a queen held captive by Manuel, King of Granada, and a web of love and ...

'' (1697) and '' The Way of the World'' (1700) and for Vanbrugh's comedy '' The Provoked Wife'' (1697). The building went unused as a theatre from 1705 until it was demolished in 1714 or shortly before, in preparation to build a new theatre. The man behind the new construction was none other than Christopher Rich, who after 16 years of management, had been pushed out of Drury lane. Rich died in 1714, but his son John Rich led a company at the theatre until 1728. On 29 January 1728, Rich's theatre hosted the first, very successful, production of

John Gay John Gay (30 June 1685 – 4 December 1732) was an English poet and dramatist and member of the Scriblerus Club. He is best remembered for '' The Beggar's Opera'' (1728), a ballad opera. The characters, including Captain Macheath and Polly P ...

's '' The Beggar's Opera'' (making "Rich gay and Gay rich"). The theatre was abandoned in December 1732, when the company moved to the new

Covent Garden Theatre The Royal Opera House (ROH) is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply Covent Garden, after a previous use of the site. It is the home of The Royal Ope ...

, built by Rich using the capital generated by ''The Beggar's Opera'

A few years later Henry Giffard moved his company from Goodman's Fields at a time when he was trying to establish a third major theatre company in London. The

Licensing Act 1737 The Licensing Act of 1737 is a defunct Act of Parliament in the Kingdom of Great Britain, and a pivotal moment in theatrical history. Its purpose was to control and censor what was being said about the British government through theatre. The act ...

largely dashed these hopes, although he continued to stage plays at Lincoln's Inn for several more years. The old building was subsequently used as a barracks, an auction room, a warehouse for china, and was finally demolished in 1848 to make room for an extension to the neighbouring premises of the

Royal College of Surgeons The Royal College of Surgeons is an ancient college (a form of corporation) established in England to regulate the activity of surgeons. Derivative organisations survive in many present and former members of the Commonwealth. These organisations ...

br>
https://web.archive.org/web/20061209122556/http://www.coventgarden.uk.com/portugal.html]

Selected premieres at the theatre

* '' The Siege of Rhodes'' by

(1661) * '' Love and Honour (play), Love and Honour'' by

(1661) * ''

The Cutter of Coleman Street ''The Cutter of Coleman Street'' is a comedy play by the English writer Abraham Cowley. It premiered at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre on 16 December 1661, performed by the Duke's Company. Cowley had originally written it in 1658 during the En ...

'' by

Abraham Cowley Abraham Cowley (; 161828 July 1667) was an English poet and essayist born in the City of London late in 1618. He was one of the leading English poets of the 17th century, with 14 printings of his ''Works'' published between 1668 and 1721. Earl ...

(1661) * '' The Law Against Lovers'' by

(1662) * '' The Villain'' by Thomas Porter (1662) * '' The Stepmother'' by

Robert Stapylton Sir Robert Stapylton or Stapleton (died 1669) was an English courtier, dramatic poet and translator. Life Stapylton was the third son of Richard Stapleton of Carlton by Snaith, Yorkshire, by Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Henry Pierrepont of H ...

(1663) * ''

The Adventures of Five Hours ''The Adventures of Five Hours'' is a 1663 comedy play by the English writer Sir Samuel Tuke, 1st Baronet. Based on the play ''Los empenos de seis horas'' by Antonio Coello, It is an early example of the developing Restoration comedy tradition. ...

'' by

Samuel Tuke Samuel Tuke may refer to: *Sir Samuel Tuke, 1st Baronet (c.1615–1674), English Royalist officer, playwright and nobleman *Samuel Tuke (reformer) Samuel Tuke (31 July 1784 – 14 October 1857) was a Quaker philanthropist and mental-health ref ...

(1663) * ''

The Slighted Maid ''The Slighted Maid'' is a 1663 comedy play by the English writer Robert Stapylton. It was staged by the Duke's Company at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre in London. The cast included Henry Harris (actor), Henry Harris as Salerno, Thomas Better ...

'' by

(1663) * ''

The Comical Revenge ''The Comical Revenge; Or, Love In A Tub'' is a 1664 comedy play by the English writer George Etherege. First staged by the Duke's Company, it premiered at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre. It is one of the earliest Restoration Comedies. The ...

'' by

George Etherege Sir George Etherege (c. 1636, Maidenhead, Berkshire – c. 10 May 1692, Paris) was an English dramatist. He wrote the plays '' The Comical Revenge or, Love in a Tub'' in 1664, ''She Would If She Could'' in 1668, and '' The Man of Mode o ...

(1664) * '' The Rivals'' by

(1664) * '' Mustapha'' by Roger Boyle (1665) * ''

The English Princess ''The English Princess; Or, The Death Of Richard The Third'' is a 1667 tragedy by the English writer John Caryll. It is set around the downfall of Richard III. It was performed at Lincoln's Inn Fields by the Duke's Company. Although the full cas ...

'' by John Caryll (1667) * ''

She Would If She Could ''She Would If She Could'' is a 1668 comedy play by the English writer George Etherege. It was originally staged at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre by the Duke's Company. The original cast included William Smith as Courtall, John Young as Fre ...

'' by

(1668) * ''

Tryphon Tryphon or Trypho ( el, Τρύφων, ''gen''.: Τρύφωνος; c. 60 BC – 10 BC) was a Greek grammarian who lived and worked in Alexandria. He was a contemporary of Didymus Chalcenterus. He wrote several specialized works on aspects of la ...

'' by Roger Boyle (1668) * ''

The Sullen Lovers ''The Sullen Lovers; Or, The Impertinents'' is a 1668 comedy play by the English writer Thomas Shadwell, inspired by Molière's ''Les Fâcheux''. It was staged by the Duke's Company at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre in London. The cast inclu ...

'' by

Thomas Shadwell Thomas Shadwell ( – 19 November 1692) was an English poet and playwright who was appointed Poet Laureate in 1689. Life Shadwell was born at either Bromehill Farm, Weeting-with-Broomhill or Santon House, Lynford, Norfolk, and educated at Bu ...

(1668) * '' The Women's Conquest'' by Edward Howard (1670) * ''

Cambyses, King Of Persia ''Cambyses, King of Persia'' is 1671 tragedy by the English writer Elkanah Settle. It was staged by the Duke's Company at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre in London. The original cast included Thomas Betterton as Cambyses, Henry Harris as Pre ...

'' by

Elkanah Settle Elkanah Settle (1 February 1648 – 12 February 1724) was an English poet and playwright. Biography He was born at Dunstable, and entered Trinity College, Oxford, in 1666, but left without taking a degree. His first tragedy, '' Cambyses, King ...

(1671) * ''

The Six Days' Adventure ''The Six Days' Adventure; Or, The New Utopia'' is a 1671 comedy play by the English writer Edward Howard. First performed by the Duke's Company at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre in London, the original cast included Cave Underhill as Sir Ada ...

'' by Edward Howard (1671) * '' Herod and Mariamne'' by

Samuel Pordage Samuel Pordage (1633 – c. 1691) was a 17th-century English poet. He is best known by his '' Azaria and Hushai'' (1682), a reply to John Dryden's ''Absalom and Achitophel''. Life Samuel was the eldest son of John Pordage, a clergyman from Bradfi ...

(1671) * ''

The Town Shifts ''The Town Shifts; Or, The Suburb-Justice'' is a 1671 comedy play by Edward Revet. It was originally staged by the Duke's Company at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre in London. It is part of the tradition of Restoration Comedy. The original cas ...

'' by Edward Revet (1671) * '' Juliana'' by John Crowne (1671) * ''

The Assignation ''The Assignation, or Love in a Nunnery'' is a Restoration comedy written by John Dryden. The play was first acted late in 1672, by the King's Company at their theatre at Lincoln's Inn Fields, but was not a success with its audience. Apart fro ...

'' by

John Dryden '' John Dryden (; – ) was an English poet, literary critic, translator, and playwright who in 1668 was appointed England's first Poet Laureate. He is seen as dominating the literary life of Restoration England to such a point that the p ...

(1672) * '' The Reformation'' by Joseph Arrowsmith (1673) * '' Amboyna'' by

(1673) * '' The Amorous Old Woman'' by

Thomas Duffett Thomas Duffet ( fl. 1673 – 1676), or Duffett, was an Irish playwright and songwriter active in England in the 1670s. He is remembered for his popular songs and his burlesques of the serious plays of John Dryden, Thomas Shadwell, Elkanah S ...

(1674) * ''

'' by William Congreve (1695) * ''

The Lover's Luck ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things already mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in English. ''The'' is the ...

'' by

Thomas Dilke Thomas may refer to: People * List of people with given name Thomas * Thomas (name) * Thomas (surname) * Saint Thomas (disambiguation) * Thomas Aquinas (1225–1274) Italian Dominican friar, philosopher, and Doctor of the Church * Thomas the Ap ...

(1695) * ''

Cyrus the Great Cyrus II of Persia (; peo, 𐎤𐎢𐎽𐎢𐏁 ), commonly known as Cyrus the Great, was the founder of the Achaemenid Empire, the first Persian empire. Schmitt Achaemenid dynasty (i. The clan and dynasty) Under his rule, the empire embraced ...

'' by

John Banks John Banks or Bankes may refer to: Politics and law *Sir John Banks, 1st Baronet (1627–1699), English merchant and Member of Parliament * John Banks (American politician) (1793–1864), U.S. Representative from Pennsylvania * John Gray Banks (18 ...

(1695) * ''

The She-Gallants ''The She-Gallants'' is a 1695 comedy play by the English writer George Granville. It was first staged by Thomas Betterton's Company at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre in London. The original cast included Thomas Betterton as Bellamour, Jo ...

'' by

George Granville George Granville, 1st Baron Lansdowne PC (9 March 1666 – 29 January 1735), of Stowe, Cornwall, was an English Tory politician who sat in the English and British House of Commons from 1702 until 1712, when he was raised to the peerage as Bar ...

(1695) * '' The City Bride'' by Joseph Harris (1696) * '' The Country Wake'' by

Thomas Doggett Thomas Doggett (or Dogget) (20 September 1721) was an Irish actor. The birth date of 1640 seems unlikely. A more probable date of 1670 is given in the Encyclopædia Britannica. Biography Doggett was born in Dublin, and made his first stage app ...

(1696) *''

The City Lady ''The City Lady; Or, Folly Reclaim'd'' is a 1696 comedy play by the English writer Thomas Dilke. It was staged by Thomas Betterton's Company at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre with a cast that included George Bright as Grumble, Cave Underhill ...

'' by

(1696) * ''

The Deceiver Deceived ''The Deceiver Deceived'' is a comedy written by Mary Pix, first performed in 1697. Pix's unpublished manuscript was rejected by the actor and producer George Powell, who subsequently plagiarized it in his play ''Imposture Defeated'' (1697). P ...

'' by Mary Pix (1697) * '' The Italian Husband'' by

Edward Ravenscroft Edward Ravenscroft (c. 1654–1707) was an English dramatist who belonged to an ancient Flintshire family. He was entered at the Middle Temple, but devoted his attention mainly to literature. Ravenscroft was the first critic to posit that Sh ...

(1697) * ''

'' by William Congreve (1697) * '' The Novelty'' by Peter Anthony Motteux (1697) * '' The Provoked Wife'' by

John Vanburgh Sir John Vanbrugh (; 24 January 1664 (baptised) – 26 March 1726) was an English architect, dramatist and herald, perhaps best known as the designer of Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard. He wrote two argumentative and outspoken Restorat ...

(1697) * ''

The Innocent Mistress ''The Innocent Mistress'' is a comedy written by Mary Pix, first performed in 1697. Plot Sir Charles, a younger son with no estate, is unhappily married to the wealthier, older and "ill-bred" Lady Beauclair. Lady Beauclair is supposedly a ...

'' by Mary Pix (1697) * '' The Pretenders'' by

(1698) * '' Beauty in Distress'' by

Peter Motteux Peter Anthony Motteux (born Pierre Antoine Motteux ; 25 February 1663 – 18 February 1718) was a French-born English author, playwright, and translator. Motteux was a significant figure in the evolution of English journalism in his era, as the ...

(1698) * '' Rinaldo and Armida'' by

John Dennis John Dennis may refer to: *John Dennis (dramatist) (1658–1734), English dramatist *John Dennis (1771–1806), Maryland congressman * John Dennis (1807–1859), his son, Maryland congressman * John Stoughton Dennis (1820–1885), Canadian surveyor ...

(1698) * '' The False Friend'' by Mary Pix (1699) * ''

Friendship Improved ''Friendship Improved, or the Female Warrior'' is a 1699 tragedy by the English writer Charles Hopkins.Wagonheim p.204 The original Lincoln's Inn Fields cast included Thomas Betterton as Zoulis, John Verbruggen as Maherbal, Elizabeth Barry as ...

'' by Charles Hopkins (1699) * '' The Way of the World'' by William Congreve (1700) * ''

The Ambitious Stepmother ''The Ambitious Stepmother'' is a 1700 tragedy by the British writer Nicholas Rowe. It was his debut play. Rowe set his play in Biblical times, but it had strong subtexts of the contemporary questions about the British succession that led to the ...

'' by Nicholas Rowe (1700) * '' The Fate of Capua'' by Thomas Southerne (1700) * '' Antiochus the Great'' by

Jane Wiseman Jane Holt (née Wiseman; March 1673 – after 1717) was a British poet and playwright, notable for being the first self-educated labouring-class woman to have a play professionally produced in London. Wiseman was possibly born in Holborn. S ...

(1701) * ''

Love's Victim ''Love's Victim: or, the Queen of Wales'' is a 1701 tragedy by the English writer Charles Gildon.Marsden p.135 The original cast included Thomas Betterton as Rhesus, Mary Porter as Tyrelius, George Pack as Morganius, Barton Booth as King of ...

'' by Charles Gildon (1701) * ''

The Czar of Muscovy ''The Czar of Muscovy'' is a play attributed to author Mary Pix, first performed and published in 1701. The play is based on the reign of False Dmitriy I (reigned 1605-1606), and also depicts his consort Marina Mniszech. It premiered at the Linc ...

'' by Mary Pix (1701) * ''

The Double Distress ''The Double Distress: A Tragedy'' is a 1701 play by the English writer Mary Pix. Despite its title, it is a comedy. Plot The play takes place amidst conflict between the Persians and the Medes. Leamira is the daughter of the Persian king, Dar ...

'' by Mary Pix (1701) * ''

The Ladies Visiting Day ''The Ladies Visiting Day'' is a 1701 comedy play by the English writer William Burnaby.Nicoll p.98 The original Lincoln's Inn Fields cast included Thomas Betterton as Courtine, John Verbruggen as Polidore, Thomas Doggett as Sir Testy Dolt, Geo ...

'' by

William Burnaby Sir William Burnaby, 1st Baronet (c. 17101776) was a British naval officer who became Commander-in-Chief, Jamaica Station. Naval career Burnaby was the son of John Burnaby of Kensington. He entered the navy and was promoted to lieutenant in 173 ...

(1701) * '' Tamerlane'' by Nicholas Rowe (1701) * ''

The Beau's Duel ''The Beau's Duel'' is a 1702 comedy play by the English writer Susanna Centlivre. The original Lincoln's Inn Fields cast included John Corey as Colonel Manly, Barton Booth as Bellmein, George Powell as Toper, John Bowman as Mode, George Pa ...

'' by

Susanna Centlivre Susanna Centlivre (c. 1669 (baptised) – 1 December 1723), born Susanna Freeman and also known professionally as Susanna Carroll, was an English poet, actress, and "the most successful female playwright of the eighteenth century". Centlivre's " ...

(1702) * '' The Governor of Cyprus'' by John Oldmixon (1702) * ''

The Stolen Heiress ''The Stolen Heiress or, The Salamanca Doctor Outplotted'' is a 1702 comedy play by the English writer Susanna Centlivre. The original Lincoln's Inn cast included John Bowman as Governour, Thomas Griffith as Count Pirro, John Freeman as Grave ...

'' by

(1702) * '' As You Find It'' by Charles Boyle (1703) * '' The Fair Penitent'' by Nicholas Rowe (1703) * '' Marry, or Do Worse'' by William Walker (1703) * ''

The Different Widows ''The Different Widows'' is a 1703 comedy play by the British writer Mary Pix.Nicoll p.350 It premiered at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre in London. The original cast included George Powell as Sir James Belmont, John Corey as Careless, Geor ...

'' by Mary Pix (1703) * ''

Love Betrayed ''Love Betrayed'' is a 1703 comedy play by the English writer William Burnaby. It is also known by the longer title ''Love Betray'd; Or, The Agreeable Disappointment''. It was a reworking of Shakespeare's ''Twelfth Night''.Dobson p.124 The origi ...

'' by

(1703) * ''

The Biter ''The Biter'' is a 1704 play by the English writer Nicholas Rowe. Rowe was better known for his tragedies but chose to try his hand at comedy. Performed at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre, it was not a great success and lasted for about six per ...

'' by Nicholas Rowe (1704) * ''

The Stage Coach ''The Stage Coach'' is a 1704 play by George Farquhar and Peter Motteux. A farce, it is based on the 1680 French play '' Les Carrosses d'Orléans'' by Jean de La Chapelle.Richetti p.79 It was staged at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre in London ...

'' by George Farquhar (1704) * '' Love At First Sight'' by David Crauford (1704) * ''

Squire Trelooby ''Squire Trelooby'' is a 1704 farce by the writers William Congreve, John Vanbrugh and William Walsh. All were members of the Kit-Cat Club and another member Samuel Garth wrote a prologue. It was inspired by the French play '' Monsieur de Pour ...

'' by William Congreve and John Vanbrugh (1704) * ''

The Gamester ''The Gamester'' is a Caroline era stage play, a comedy of manners written by James Shirley, premiered in 1633 and first published in 1637. The play is noteworthy for its realistic and detailed picture of gambling in its era. The play was lic ...

'' by

(1705) * '' A Woman's Revenge'' by

Christopher Bullock Sir Christopher Llewellyn Bullock, KCB, CBE (10 November 1891 – 16 May 1972), a prominent member of the Bullock family, was Permanent Under-Secretary at the British Air Ministry from 1931 to 1936. Appointed at the age of 38, he remains one ...

(1715) * ''

The Perplexed Couple ''The Perplexed Couple'' is a 1715 comedy play by the Irish writer Charles Molloy. The original Lincoln's Inn Fields cast included George Pack as Sir Anthony Thinwit, William Bullock as Morecraft, Benjamin Griffin as Sterling, John Leigh as ...

'' by Charles Molloy (1715) * ''

The Doating Lovers ''The Doating Lovers: Or, the Libertine Tam'd'' is a 1715 comedy play by the Irish writer Newburgh Hamilton. The original cast included John Leigh as Gaylove, William Bullock as Sir Butterfly Ayrewould, Christopher Bullock as Sr Timothy Twidd ...

'' by Newburgh Hamilton (1715) * '' A City Ramble'' by Charles Knipe (1715) * ''

The Northern Heiress ''The Northern Heiress'' is a 1716 comedy by the Irish-born writer Mary Davys. Its fuller title is ''The Northern Heiress, or, The Humours of York''. The play satirizes the contemporary marriage market. It was dedicated to Princess Anne, daught ...

'' by Mary Davys (1716) * ''

The Cobbler of Preston ''The Cobbler of Preston'' (first published as ''The Cobler of Preston'') is a 1716 comedy play by Christopher Bullock, although a separate play of the same title was written by Charles Johnson the same year. A one-act afterpiece is the origin ...

'' by

(1716) * '' Everybody Mistaken'' by William Taverner (1716) * '' The Fatal Vision'' by Aaron Hill (1716) * '' The Perfidious Brother'' by

Lewis Theobald Lewis Theobald (baptised 2 April 1688 – 18 September 1744), English textual editor and author, was a landmark figure both in the history of Shakespearean editing and in literary satire. He was vital for the establishment of fair texts for Sha ...

(1716) * ''

Woman Is a Riddle ''Woman Is a Riddle'' is a 1716 comedy play by the British actor Christopher Bullock. Sometimes its title is written as ''A Woman Is a Riddle''. Richard Savage may have assisted with the writing of the play, which draws inspiration from a seve ...

'' by

(1716) * '' The Artful Husband'' by William Taverner (1717) * ''

A Bold Stroke for a Wife ''A Bold Stroke for a Wife'' is Susanna Centlivre's 18th-century satirical English play first performed in 1718. The plot expresses the author's unabashed support of the British Whig Party: she criticises the Tories, religious hypocrisy, and ...

'' by

(1718) * '' The Coquet'' by Charles Molloy (1718) * '' The Lady's Triumph'' by

(1718) * ''

Scipio Africanus Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus (, , ; 236/235–183 BC) was a Roman general and statesman, most notable as one of the main architects of Rome's victory against Carthage in the Second Punic War. Often regarded as one of the best military co ...

'' by

Charles Beckingham Charles Beckingham (25 July 1699 – 19 February 1730-31) was an English poet and dramatist. Life Beckingham was born, according to the register of Merchant Taylors' School, on 25 July 1699 (Robinson's ''Register'', ii. 32). His father was a ...

(1718) * '' The Traitor'' by

(1718) * ''

Henry IV of France Henry IV (french: Henri IV; 13 December 1553 – 14 May 1610), also known by the epithets Good King Henry or Henry the Great, was King of Navarre (as Henry III) from 1572 and King of France from 1589 to 1610. He was the first monar ...

'' by

(1719) * ''

Kensington Gardens Kensington Gardens, once the private gardens of Kensington Palace, are among the Royal Parks of London. The gardens are shared by the City of Westminster and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and sit immediately to the west of Hyd ...

'' by John Leigh (1719) * '' Sir Walter Raleigh'' by George Sewell (1719) * '' 'Tis Well if it Takes'' by William Taverner (1719) * ''

The Half-Pay Officers ''The Half-Pay Officers'' is a 1720 comedy play by the Irish writer Charles Molloy. The play included popular scenes from ''Henry V'', ''Much Ado About Nothing'' and '' Love and Honour''.Nicoll p.142 It proved popular with audiences and was reviv ...

'' by Charles Molloy (1720) * '' Hob's Wedding'' by John Leigh (1720) * ''

The Imperial Captives ''The Imperial Captives'' is a 1720 tragedy by the British writer John Mottley. The original cast included James Quin as Genseric, Lacy Ryan as Thrasimond, Anthony Boheme as Aspar, John Egleton as Honoric, Richard Diggs as Narbal, Anna Maria Se ...

'' by

John Mottley John Mottley (1692–1750) was an English writer, known as a dramatist, biographer, and compiler of jokes. Life He was the son of Colonel Thomas Mottley, a Jacobite adherent of James II in his exile, who entered the service of Louis XIV, and was ...

(1720) * ''

Whig and Tory ''Whig and Tory'' is a 1720 comedy play by the British writer and actor Benjamin Griffin. Griffin himself starred as Sir John Indolent with Mrs Gulick as Charlotte.Highfill, Burnim & Langhans p.366 & 450 John Harper played Sir Roland Heartfree ...

'' by Benjamin Griffin (1720) * '' Antiochus'' by

(1721) * '' The Fair Captive'' by

Eliza Haywood Eliza Haywood (c. 1693 – 25 February 1756), born Elizabeth Fowler, was an English writer, actress and publisher. An increase in interest and recognition of Haywood's literary works began in the 1980s. Described as "prolific even by the standar ...

(1721) * '' Fatal Extravagance'' by Aaron Hill (1721) * '' The Chimera'' by Thomas Odell (1721) * ''

Hanging and Marriage ''Hanging and Marriage'' is a 1722 farce by the British writer Henry Carey. Written as an afterpiece it premiered at Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre accompanying a revival of Dryden's '' The Spanish Friar''. The original cast included William Bullo ...

'' by

Henry Carey Henry Carey may refer to: *Henry Carey, 1st Baron Hunsdon (1526–1596), politician, general, and potential illegitimate son of Henry VIII *Henry Carey, 1st Earl of Dover (1580–1666), English peer *Henry Carey, 2nd Earl of Monmouth (1596–1661), ...

(1722) * '' Hibernia Freed'' by William Phillips (1722) * '' The Compromise'' by John Sturmy (1722) * '' Love and Duty'' by John Sturmy (1722) * '' Mariamne'' by

Elijah Fenton Elijah Fenton (20 May 1683 – 16 July 1730) was an English poet, biographer and translator. Life Born in Shelton (now Stoke-on-Trent), and educated at Jesus College, Cambridge, for a time he acted as secretary to the Charles Boyle, 4th Earl of O ...

(1723) * '' The Fatal Legacy'' by Jane Robe (1723) * '' Belisarius'' by William Phillips (1724) * ''

Edwin The name Edwin means "rich friend". It comes from the Old English elements "ead" (rich, blessed) and "ƿine" (friend). The original Anglo-Saxon form is Eadƿine, which is also found for Anglo-Saxon figures. People * Edwin of Northumbria (die ...

'' by George Jeffreys (1724) * '' The Roman Maid'' by Robert Hurst (1724) * ''

The Bath Unmasked ''The Bath Unmasked'' is a 1725 comedy play by the British writer Gabriel Odingsells. The action takes place in the fashionable spa town of Bath. Staged at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre in London it lasted for six performances, considered a re ...

'' by

Gabriel Odingsells Gabriel Odingsells (1690–1734) was a British playwright. He attended Pembroke College, Oxford. In 1725 he wrote a comedy '' The Bath Unmasked'', set in the city of Bath, which appeared at Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre. This was followed by ''The ...

(1725) * ''

The Capricious Lovers ''The Capricious Lovers'' is a 1725 comedy play by the British writer Gabriel Odingsells. The play revolves around a vain militia colonel.Freeman p.282 The original cast at Lincoln's Inn Fields included John Hippisley as Colonel Mockyouth, Tho ...

'' by

(1725) * '' The Female Fortune Teller'' by Charles Johnson (1726) * '' Money the Mistress'' by Thomas Southerne (1726) * ''

The Dissembled Wanton ''The Dissembled Wanton'' is a 1726 comedy play by the British writer Leonard Welsted. The original Lincoln's Inn Fields cast included James Quin as Lord Severne, Lacy Ryan as Colonel Severne, Thomas Walker as Beaufort, William Bullock as Toby, ...

'' by Leonard Welsted (1726) *'' Philip of Macedon'' by David Lewis (1727) * '' The Fall of Saguntum'' by Philip Frowde (1727) * '' The Beggar's Opera'' by

(1728) * '' Sesostris'' by John Sturmy (1728) * '' The Virgin Queen'' by Richard Barford (1728) * '' Frederick, Duke of Brunswick-Lunenburgh'' by

(1729) * ''

Themistocles Themistocles (; grc-gre, Θεμιστοκλῆς; c. 524–459 BC) was an Athenian politician and general. He was one of a new breed of non-aristocratic politicians who rose to prominence in the early years of the Athenian democracy. As ...

'' by Samuel Madden (1729) * '' Sylvia'' by George Lillo (1730) * ''

The Wife of Bath "The Wife of Bath's Tale" ( enm, The Tale of the Wyf of Bathe) is among the best-known of Geoffrey Chaucer's ''Canterbury Tales''. It provides insight into the role of women in the Late Middle Ages and was probably of interest to Chaucer himsel ...

'' by

(1730) * '' Orestes'' by

(1731) * '' Merope'' by George Jeffreys (1731) * '' Philotas'' by Philip Frowde (1731) * '' The Married Philosopher'' by John Kelly (1732) * '' A Tutor for the Beaus'' by John Hewitt (1736) * ''

All Alive and Merry ''All Alive and Merry'' is a 1737 comedy play by the British writer Samuel Johnson. The original Lincoln's Inn Fields cast included William Giffard, Charlotte Charke and Anna Marcella Giffard. It was staged by Henry Giffard's company which had ...

'' by

Samuel Johnson Samuel Johnson (18 September 1709 – 13 December 1784), often called Dr Johnson, was an English writer who made lasting contributions as a poet, playwright, essayist, moralist, critic, biographer, editor and lexicographer. The ''Oxford ...

(1736) * '' The Independent Patriot'' by Francis Lynch (1737) * ''

Charles I Charles I may refer to: Kings and emperors * Charlemagne (742–814), numbered Charles I in the lists of Holy Roman Emperors and French kings * Charles I of Anjou (1226–1285), also king of Albania, Jerusalem, Naples and Sicily * Charles I of ...

'' by

William Havard William Thomas Havard (23 October 1889 – 17 August 1956) was a Welsh clergyman and rugby union international player. He served as a military chaplain during the First World War, and later as Bishop of St Asaph and then Bishop of St Da ...

(1737)

References

Bibliography

* Avery, Emmett L., and Arthur H. Scouten. The London Stage 1660-1700: A Critical Introduction. Arcturus Books. Southern Illinois University Press, 1968. Print. * Donohue, Joseph ed. (2004). ''The Cambridge History of British Theatre: Volume 2, 1660 to 1885''. Cambridge University Press
Excerpt online
* Gaunt, Peter. "Cromwellian Britain - Lindsey House, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London." The Oliver Cromwell Website. The Cromwell Association, n.d. Web. 5 Feb 2013. . * Hartnoll, Phyllis; Found, Peter (1996). "Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre" ''The Concise Oxford Companion to the Theatre''. Oxford University Press. * Hotson, Leslie. The Commonwealth and Restoration Stage. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1928. Print. * Langhans, Edward (2001). "The Post-1660 Theatres as Performance Spaces". Owen, Sue ''A Companion to Restoration Drama''. Oxford: Blackwell. * Milhous, Judith (1979). ''Thomas Betterton and the Management of Lincoln's Inn Fields 1695–1708''. Carbondale, Illinois: Southern Illinois University Press. * Spiers, Rupert (2002)

from th

site. Retrieved 14 August 2006. * Styan, John (1996). ''The English Stage: A History of Drama and Performance''. Cambridge University Press. * The Restoration Theater: From Tennis Court to Playhouse. 2004. Film. Jan 2013. * Wilson, Edwin, and Alvin Goldfarb. Living Theatre: History of Theatre. 6th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc, 2012. Print. {{Restoration comedy Former theatres in London Theatres completed in 1661 1661 establishments in England