At the Theatre in Dorset Gardens, this day being Friday the 30th of April will be presented A Farce call'd, The Cheats of Scapin. And a Comedy of two Acts only, call'd, The Comical Rivals, or the School Boy. With several Italian Sonatas by Signior Gasperini and others. And the Devonshire Girl, being now upon her Return to the City of Exeter, will perform three several Dances, particularly her last new Entry in imitation of Mademoiselle Subligni, and the Whip of Dunboyne by Mr. Claxton her Master, being the last time of their Performance till Winter. And at the desire of several Persons of Quality (hearing that Mr. Pinkeman hath hired the two famous French Girls lately arriv'd from the Emperor's Court) They will perform several Dances on the Rope upon the Stage, being improv'd to that Degree, far exceeding all others in that Art. And their Father presents you with the Newest Humours of Harlequin as performed by him before the Grand Signior at Constantinople. Also the Famous Mr. Evans lately arriv'd from Vienna, will shew you Wonders of another kind, Vaulting on the Manag'd Horse, being the greatest Master of that Kind in the World. To begin at Five so that all may be done by Nine a Clock.'
In the Daily Courant May 13, 1703, there was an attempt to revive it, but it was unsuccessful. 'The Queen's Theatre in Dorset Garden is now fitting up for a new Opera; and the great Preparations that are made to forward it and bring it upon the Stage by the beginning of June, adds to every body's Expectation, who promise themselves mighty Satisfaction from so well order'd and regular an Undertaking as this is said to be, both in the Beauties of the Scenes, and Varieties of Entertainments in the Musick and Dances.'
It opened spasmodically, now and then: on July 9, 1706, with an opera called 'Arsinoe, Queen of Cyprus.' Mrs. Tofts as Arsinoe; a prologue spoken by Cibber, and an epilogue by Estcourt; and on Aug. 1 there was an opera called 'Camilla' played. And we hear the last of it in the autumn of this year.'[414] 'By the deserted Company of Comedians of the Theatre Royal. At the Queen's Theatre in Dorset Gardens, on Thursday next being the 24th of October, will be Acted a Comedy, call'd The Recruiting Officer.[415] In which they Pray there may be Singing by Mrs. Tofts in English and Italian. And some Dancing.' On the 30th they played 'Master Fido, or the Faithful Shepherd,' 'acted all by women'—a not absolute novelty, but which showed how hard up they were for something new to draw. And there were five more performances that year.
But all attempts to galvanise it into life failed, and in the Daily Courant of June 1, 1709, we read, 'The Play House at Dorset Stairs is now pulling down, where there is to be sold old Timber fit for Building or Repairs, Old Boards, Bricks, Glass'd Pantiles and Plain Tiles, also Fire Wood, at very reasonable rates.'
Lincoln's Inn Fields was another theatre which had very varying fortunes during this reign. In 1705, when the company left for their new home in the Haymarket, it was to let. Betterton took it for a night for his benefit on March 3 of that year, and Cave Underhill for his on March 31. It was not re-opened till Sept. 12, 1706, and was played in only six nights that year. It was rebuilt by Rich, but was not again acted in during Queen Anne's reign.
One advertisement of its performances may be given as exemplifying their variety.[416] 'At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. For the Benefit of Mrs. Prince. At the Theatre in Little Lincoln's Inn Fields, the present Tuesday being the 8th of June, will be presented the last New Tragedy call'd, The Fair Penitent.[417] With four Entertainments of Singing (entirely New) by the Famous Signiora Francisca Margarita de l'Epine; to which will be added the Nightingale Song[418]; it being the last time of her Singing whilst she stays in England. The Instrumental Musick composed by Signior Jacomo Greber. With a Country Wedding Dance by Monsieur Labbé, Mrs. Elford, and others. Also a new Entertainment of Dancing between Mazetin a Clown, and two Chairmen. With the Dance of Blouzabella by Mr. Prince, and Mrs. Elford. By reason of the Entertainments the Play will be shortened. Boxes 6s. Pit 4s. Gallery 2s. 6d.' These seem to have been the benefit prices at this theatre, the normal ones being 5s., 3s., and 2s.
Dorset Gardens and Lincoln's Inn Fields theatres were the dramatic failures; the 'Theatre Royal in Drury Lane,' as it was called, was an exception, and stood its ground fairly during the Queen's reign. It was built by Killigrew, at a cost of £1,500, on the site of a plot of ground called the 'Riding Yard,' which was obtained on lease from the Duke of Bedford, and opened in 1663. The actors there were called Her Majesty's servants, and had the right to dress in scarlet, the royal livery.
In the summer time, when the quality was dispersed at the various Spas, the dramatic company followed them to their fashionable resorts, as also did Powell and Clinch. This, at all events, was the case in the early days of Anne's rule. 'Her Majesty's Servants of the Theatre Royal being return'd from the Bath, do intend, to morrow being Wednesday the Sixth of this instant October to act a Comedy call'd Love makes a Man, or, the Fop's Fortune.[419] With Singing and Dancing. And whereas the Audiences have been incommoded by the Plays usually beginning too late, the Company of the said Theatre do therefore give Notice that they will constantly begin at Five a Clock without fail, and continue the same Hour all the Winter.'[420]
Later in this reign they stopped in London, but did not play every day. 'Not Acted these 15 years. By Her Majesty's Company of Comedians. At the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, on Tuesday next, being the 1st of July, will be Reviv'd the 2nd Part of the Destruction of Jerusalem,[421] by Titus Vespasian. The Parts of Titus by Mr. Booth, Phraartes Mr. Mills, Tiberius Mr. Keen. John, Mr. Powell. Berenice Mrs. Rogers, Clarona Mrs. Bradshaw. N.B. The Company will continue to Act on every Tuesday and Friday during the Summer Season. By Her Majesty's Command[422] no Persons are to be admitted behind the Scenes.'[423] At one time, as Cibber narrates, it was even closed altogether.
The theatre was used occasionally for other than dramatic performances. Here is one: 'At the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, this present Tuesday being the 14th of December will be perform'd, The Subscription Musick. Wherein Mrs. Tofts Sings several Songs in Italian and English. With a new piece of Vocal and Instrumental Musick never perform'd before, composed by Mr. Leveridge. And several new Entries and Entertainments of Dancing by Monsieur l'Abbé, Monsieur Du Ruell, Monsieur Charrier, Mrs. Campion, Mrs. Elford, the Devonshire Girl, and others. No Person to be admitted into the Pit or Boxes but by the Subscribers Tickets, which are deliver'd at Mr. White's Chocolate house. The Boxes on the Stage and the Galleries are for the Benefit of the Actors. The Stage Boxes 7s. 6d. the first Gallery 2s. 6d. the Upper Gallery 1s. 6d. To begin about Five a Clock. No Person to stand on the Stage.'[424]