The play on this occasion was, according to Cibber, 'a translated Opera, to Italian Musick, called the Triumph of Love.' This, he says, only ran three days, and then Sir John Vanbrugh produced his comedy called 'The Confederacy.' Downes[427] says, 'It (i.e. the Italian Opera) lasted but 5 Days, and they being lik'd but indifferently by the Gentry; they in a little time marcht back to their own Country. The first play Acted there was The Gamester.'
It is singular that neither of these authorities are correct, and luckily we have the advertisements left to guide us. It is, however, somewhat strange that there should have been no public announcement in the newspapers of its opening; but the first advertisement published is in the Daily Courant, April 14, 1705: 'At the Queen's Theatre in the Haymarket, this present Saturday being the 14th of April, will be reviv'd, The Indian Emperor, or the Conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards. The Part of Cortez to be perform'd by Mr. Powel; with Entertainments of Dancing, as also Singing by the new Italian Boy. By Her Majesty's Sworn Servants.'
The next play was 'The Merry Wives of Windsor,' on April 23; on the 27th 'The Gamester'; and Downes says 'The Confederacy' was playing long after.
This theatre was, undoubtedly, the most fashionable; and its prices, at times, were far above its rivals. Take, for example[428]: 'At the Desire of several Persons of Quality. At the Queen's Theatre in the Hay Market, on Saturday next, being the 7th of February, will be presented an Opera call'd Camilla. The Part of Metius (to which are added several new Select Songs) to be perform'd by the famous Signior Gioseppe Cassani, lately arrived from Italy. With several new Entertainments of Dancing by Monsieur Cherrier, Monsieur Debargues, Mrs. Santlow, Mrs. Evans, and others. The Boxes to be open'd to the Pit, and no Person to be admitted but by Tickets, which will be deliver'd out on Friday and Saturday Morning at White's Chocolate House, at a Guinea each Ticket. The number of Tickets not to exceed 450.' On the 6th same month the performance was lowered to half a guinea. Stage boxes, half a guinea; first gallery, 5s.; upper gallery, 2s.; and on Feb. 10 admission was still further lowered.
Congreve soon gave up his share, and Sir John Vanbrugh was also glad to get rid of this 'bad egg': so after Jan. 10, 1708, it was transferred to Owen MacSwiney for operatic performances, one of which we have just mentioned.
Pinkethman, the indefatigable, had a theatre at Greenwich, which he worked during the summer months, though the exact time is unknown. In an advertisement of his moving picture (Daily Courant, May 9, 1709) he says it may be seen 'next Door to his New Play House, where variety of Plays are Acted every Day as in London.' He could not long have started, as in the Tatler (No. 4, April 18, 1709) it says, 'We hear Mr. Penkethman has removed his ingenious Company of Strollers to Greenwich. But other letters from Deptford say, the company is only making thither, and not yet settled; but that several Heathen Gods and Goddesses, which are to descend in machines, landed at the King's Head Stairs last Saturday. Venus and Cupid went on foot from thence to Greenwich; Mars got drunk in the town, and broke his Landlord's head, for which he sat in the Stocks the whole Evening; but Mr. Penkethman giving Security that he should do nothing this ensuing Summer, he was set at liberty. The most melancholy part of all was, that Diana was taken, and committed by Justice Wrathful; which has, it seems, put a stop to the Diversions of the Theatre at Blackheath. But there goes down another Diana and a Patient Grissel next tide from Billingsgate.'
Queen Anne was not a patron of the drama. She never went to the theatre, and, as far as I can learn, seldom had dramatic performances at court. 'On Sunday, being the Queen's Birth Day, her Majesty receiv'd the usual Compliments on that occasion, and yesterday there was an extraordinary appearance of the Nobility and Gentry of both Sexes at St. James's upon the same account. The Play call'd, All for Love,[429] was Acted in the presence of the Court.'[430] And this was such an extraordinary event that even another newspaper informed its readers of the astounding fact. Downes remarks on this: 'Note From Candlemas 1704 to the 22d of April 1706. There were 4 Plays commanded to be Acted at Court at St. James', by the Actors of both Houses viz. First All for Love. The Second was Sir Solomon or the Cautious Coxcomb.[431] The next was The Merry Wives of Windsor, Acted the 23rd of April, the Queen's Coronation Day. The last was The Anatomist or Sham Doctor;[432] it was perform'd on Shrove Tuesday, the Queen's Birthday.'
But though she would not go to the theatres, she heartily took their reformation in hand, as the following proclamation shows:—
'Anne R.
'Whereas. We have already given Orders to the Master of Our Revels, and also to Both the Companies of Comedians, Acting in Drury Lane, and Lincolns Inn Fields, to take Special Care, that Nothing be Acted in either of the Theatres contrary to Religion or Good Manners, upon Pain of our High Displeasure, and of being Silenc'd from further Acting; And being further desirous to Reform all other Indecencies, and Abuses of the Stage, which have Occasion'd great Disorders, and Justly give Offence; Our Will and Pleasure therefore is, and We do hereby strictly Command, That no Person of what Quality soever, Presume to go Behind the Scenes, or come upon the Stage, either before, or during the Acting of any Play. That no Woman be Allow'd or Presume to wear a Vizard Mask in either of the Theatres. And that no Person come into either House without Paying the Prices Establish'd for their Respective Places.