THE COCKPIT
This small, roofed private theatre was first opened in 1615, and was partially demolished by a band of wild apprentices. The cause of their action is not known. Speedily being rebuilt, it continued under the name of the Phœnix as a playhouse, until 1649, when the building was dismantled.
The Famous
TRAGEDY
OF
THE RICH IEVV
OF MALTA.
AS IT WAS PLAYD
BEFORE THE KING AND
QVEENE, IN HIS MAJESTIES
Theatre at White-Hall, by her Majesties
Servants at the Cock-pit.
Written by CHRISTOPHER MARLO.
LONDON:
Printed by I. B. for Nicholas Vavasour, and are to be sold
at his Shop in the Inner-Temple, neere the
Church. 1633.
(Original Image)
THE
TRAGEDY
OF HOFFMAN
OR
A Reuenge for a Father.
As it hath bin diuers times acted
with great applause, at the Phenix
in Druery-lane.
LONDON,
Printed by I. N. for Hugh Perry, and are to bee
sold at his shop, at the signe of the Harrow
in Brittaines-burse. 1631.
(Original Image)
The company of the Lady Elizabeth, daughter of James I, acted at this house. A list of actors’ names is recorded in the Herbert MSS. After the Restoration the theatre was once more used for play-acting, the last recorded performance taking place in 1664. Cockpit Court, Drury Lane, marked in Strype’s map of London, 1720, stood on the site of the old theatre. In later years the Court was known as Pit Court, but now this place has entirely vanished. Formerly a cockpit existed in this neighbourhood, from which the theatre was named. Like so many other theatres of this period, no authentic views are known.