|
Elinor Dixon
Elinor Leigh was a British stage actor of the seventeenth century. Born Elinor Dixon, she was billed as Mrs Leigh or Mrs Lee after she married the actor Anthony Leigh in 1671. This has led to some difficulty distinguishing on playbills between her and the actress Mary Slingsby who also acted under her married name of Lee at the time. In addition another actress with the name Elizabeth Leigh was also active during the period. She was a member of the Duke's Company in the 1670s which was then merged into the United Company from 1682, acting mainly at Drury Lane. Her husband died in 1692, and in 1695 she joined those who left to form a new company under Thomas Betterton at the Lincoln's Inn Fields TheatreThe Routledge Anthology of Restoration and Eighteenth-Century Drama p.lvi Selected roles * Melvissa in ''The Women's Conquest'' by Edward Howard (1670) * Petilla in ''The Six Days' Adventure'' by Edward Howard (1671) * Orinda in ''Cambyses, King Of Persia'' by Elkanah Settle (16 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Anthony Leigh
Anthony Leigh (died 1692) was a celebrated English comic actor. Life He was from a Northamptonshire family, and was not closely related to the actor John Leigh (c.1689–1726?). He joined the Duke of York's company about 1672, and appeared in that year at the recently opened theatre in Dorset Garden, as the original Pacheco in ''The Reformation'' (1673), a comedy ascribed by Gerard Langbaine to one Arrowsmith, a Cambridge M.A. graduate. At Dorset Garden, Leigh played many original parts. After the merger of the duke's company with the king's in 1682, Leigh did not immediately go to the Theatre Royal. He was in 1683, however, at that theatre the original Bartoline in John Crowne's ''City Politics'', and played Bessus in a revival of ''A King and No King''. Here he remained until his death, creating many characters.They included: Beaugard's Father in Otway's ''The Atheist'', Rogero in Thomas Southerne's ''The Disappointment'', Sir Paul Squelch in Richard Brome's ''Northern Lass'' ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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 Shakespeare's play ''Titus Andronicus'' was not originally written by him. In 1686 he revived the play at the Drury Lane Theatre, which he entitled ''Titus Andronicus, or the rape of Lavinia'', he wrote in the address "to the Reader", "I have been told by some anciently conversant with the Stage, that it was not Originally his (Shakespeare's), but brought by a private Author to be Acted and he only gave some Master-touches to one or two of the Principal Parts or Characters; this I am apt to believe, because 'tis the most incorrect and indigested piece in all his Works, It seems rather a heap of Rubbish then a Structure." This position is now known as the "Ravenscroft tradition" within literary circles. He wrote a total of twelve plays, in wh ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Dame Dobson
''Dame Dobson'' is a 1683 comedy play by the English writer Edward Ravenscroft. First staged by the United Company at the Dorset Garden Theatre, the original cast included Katherine Corey as Dame Dobson, Edward Kynaston as Collonel, Thomas Jevon as Gillet, John Wiltshire as Gerrard, William Mountfort as Hartwell, George Bright as Farmer, John Richards as Goslin, Anthony Leigh as Jenkin, Mary Lee as Lady Noble, Elizabeth Currer as Mrs Featly, Elinor Leigh as Mrs Prudence, Charlotte Butler as Mrs Cleremont and Margaret Osborne as Mrs Hellen.Van Lennep p.319-20 In 1726 Charles Johnson wrote a reworking of the plot as ''The Female Fortune Teller ''The Female Fortune Teller'' is a 1726 comedy play by the British writer Charles Johnson.Nicoll p.142 It is a reworking of Edward Ravenscroft's 1683 restoration comedy ''Dame Dobson''. The original cast featured James Quin as Spring, Lacy Ry ...''. References Bibliography * Canfield, J. Douglas. ''Tricksters and Estates: O ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The City Heiress
''The City-Heiress'', ''or, Sir Timothy Treat-all'' is a play by Aphra Behn first performed in 1682. The play, a Restoration comedy, reflects Behn's own highly Royalist political point of view. The character of Sir Timothy Treat-all is a caricature of the first Earl of Shaftesbury, a founder of the Whig party who had been arrested for high treason in 1681. It was staged at the Dorset Garden Theatre by the Duke's Company. The original cast included James Nokes as Sir Timothy Treatall, Thomas Betterton as Tom Wilding, Anthony Leigh as Sir Anthony Meriwill, Joseph Williams as Sir Charles Meriwill, John Bowman as Dreswell, Thomas Jevon as Fopington, Elizabeth Barry as Lady Galliard, Charlotte Butler as Charlotte, Elizabeth Currer as Diana and Elinor Leigh as Mrs Closet.Van Lennep, W. ''The London Stage, 1660-1800: Volume One, 1660-1700''. Southern Illinois University Press, 1960. p.308 Plot The play concerns the "seditious knight" Sir Timothy Treat-all and his rakish Tory ne ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The London Cuckolds
''The London Cuckolds'' is a 1681 comedy play by the English writer Edward Ravenscroft. It was performed at the Dorset Garden Theatre by the Duke's Company. The original cast included Cave Underhill as Wiseacre, James Nokes as Doodle, Joseph Williams as Townly, John Wiltshire as Loveday, William Smith as Ramble, Anthony Leigh as Dashwell, John Richards as Tom, Elizabeth Currer as Eugenia, Elizabeth Barry as Arabella, Elinor Leigh Elinor Leigh was a British stage actor of the seventeenth century. Born Elinor Dixon, she was billed as Mrs Leigh or Mrs Lee after she married the actor Anthony Leigh in 1671. This has led to some difficulty distinguishing on playbills between he ... as Engine and Margaret Osborne as Jane.Van Lennep p.303 References Bibliography * Van Lennep, W. ''The London Stage, 1660-1800: Volume One, 1660-1700''. Southern Illinois University Press, 1960. 1681 plays West End plays Restoration comedy Plays by Edward Ravenscroft {{17thC-play-st ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Nathaniel Lee
Nathaniel Lee (c. 1653 – 6 May 1692) was an England, English dramatist. He was the son of Dr Richard Lee, a Presbyterian clergyman who was rector of Hatfield and held many preferments under the Commonwealth of England, Commonwealth; Dr Lee was chaplain to George Monck, afterwards Duke of Albemarle, but after the English Restoration, Restoration he conformed to the Church of England, and withdrew his approval for Charles I of England, Charles I's execution. Lee was educated at Westminster School (though some sources say Charterhouse School), and at Trinity College, Cambridge, taking his Bachelor of Arts, B.A. degree in 1668. Coming to London, perhaps under the patronage of George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham, he tried to earn his living as an actor, but acute stage fright made this impossible. His earliest play, ''Nero, Emperor of Rome'', was acted in 1675 at Drury Lane. Two tragedies written in rhymed heroic couplets, in imitation of John Dryden, followed in 1676: ''Sophoni ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Princess Of Cleve
''The Princess of Cleve'' is a 1680 tragedy by the English writer Nathaniel Lee, inspired by the recent French novel ''La Princesse de Clèves'' by Madame de La Fayette set during the sixteenth century. It premiered at the Dorset Garden Theatre in London, staged by the Duke's Company. The original cast included Joseph Williams as Prince of Cleve, Thomas Betterton as Duke Nemours, Anthony Leigh as St. Andre, Thomas Gillow as Vidam of Chartres, James Nokes as Poltrot, Elizabeth Barry as Princess of Cleve, Mary Slingsby as Marguerite, Elinor Leigh as Tournon and Mary Betterton Mary Saunderson (1637–1712), later known as Mary Saunderson Betterton after her marriage to Thomas Betterton, was an actress and singer in England during the 1660s and 1690s. She is considered one of the first English actresses. Stage career ... as Elianor. Incidental music was composed by Thomas Farmer. The play was not published until 1689.Van Lennep p.290-291 References Bibliography * Van Lenne ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Aphra Behn
Aphra Behn (; bapt. 14 December 1640 – 16 April 1689) was an English playwright, poet, prose writer and translator from the Restoration era. As one of the first English women to earn her living by her writing, she broke cultural barriers and served as a literary role model for later generations of women authors. Rising from obscurity, she came to the notice of Charles II, who employed her as a spy in Antwerp. Upon her return to London and a probable brief stay in debtors' prison, she began writing for the stage. She belonged to a coterie of poets and famous libertines such as John Wilmot, Lord Rochester. Behn wrote under the pastoral pseudonym Astrea. During the turbulent political times of the Exclusion Crisis, she wrote an epilogue and prologue that brought her into legal trouble; she thereafter devoted most of her writing to prose genres and translations. A staunch supporter of the Stuart line, she declined an invitation from Bishop Burnet to write a welcoming p ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Revenge (1680 Play)
''The Revenge; Or, A Match In Newgate'' is a 1680 comedy play usually attributed to the English writer Aphra Behn. It was first performed by the Duke's Company at the Dorset Garden Theatre in London with a cast that included William Smith as Wellman, Joseph Williams as Friendly, John Bowman as Mr Shatter, Thomas Jevon as Trickwell, Anthony Leigh as Mr Dashit, George Bright as Glisten, Elizabeth Barry as Corina, Charlotte Butler as Marinda, Emily Price as Diana, and Elinor Leigh Elinor Leigh was a British stage actor of the seventeenth century. Born Elinor Dixon, she was billed as Mrs Leigh or Mrs Lee after she married the actor Anthony Leigh in 1671. This has led to some difficulty distinguishing on playbills between he ... as Mrs Dashit.Van Lennep p.287 References Bibliography * Cox, Michael. ''The Concise Oxford Chronology of English Literature''. Oxford University Press, 2005. * Van Lennep, W. ''The London Stage, 1660-1800: Volume One, 1660-1700''. Southern Illin ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lewis Maidwell
Lewis Maidwell (1650–1716) was an English writer and educator. Born in Northamptonshire he attended Westminster School and graduated from Cambridge University in 1672. He ran a school on King Street in London, and was also a tutor to the sons of the wealthy politician Stephen Fox. Maidwell is noted for his repeated advocacy for the founding of an English Academy similar to the Académie Française in Paris. He wrote the comedy play ''The Loving Enemies'' which was staged by the Duke's Company at the Dorset Garden Theatre in 1680. Maidwell was a long-standing friend of the playwright and poet laureate Nahum Tate Nahum Tate ( ; 1652 – 30 July 1715) was an Irish poet, hymnist and lyricist, who became Poet Laureate in 1692. Tate is best known for ''The History of King Lear'', his 1681 adaptation of Shakespeare's ''King Lear'', and for his libretto for ....Spencer p.29 References Bibliography * Canfield, J. Douglas. ''Tricksters and Estates: On the Ideology of Restorat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Loving Enemies
''The Loving Enemies'' is a 1680 comedy play by the English writer Lewis Maidwell. It was first staged by the Duke's Company at the Dorset Garden Theatre in London. The original cast included Thomas Betterton as Lorenzo, William Smith as Marcello, Joseph Williams as Antonio, Anthony Leigh as Paulo, Cave Underhill as Circumstantio, John Richards as Albricio, Mary Lee as Julia, Elizabeth Barry as Camilla, Anne Shadwell as Lucinda and Elinor Leigh Elinor Leigh was a British stage actor of the seventeenth century. Born Elinor Dixon, she was billed as Mrs Leigh or Mrs Lee after she married the actor Anthony Leigh in 1671. This has led to some difficulty distinguishing on playbills between he ... as Paulina.Van Lennep p.283 It was dedicated to Charles Fox, son of the politician Stephen Fox, who Maidwell had been a tutor to. References Bibliography * Van Lennep, W. ''The London Stage, 1660-1800: Volume One, 1660-1700''. Southern Illinois University Press, 1960. 1680 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Thomas Porter (dramatist)
Thomas Porter (1636 – 1680) was an English dramatist and duellist. Life He was the fourth son of Endymion Porter and his wife Olivia Boteler, and brother of George Porter. Porter abducted, on 24 February 1655, Anne Blount, daughter of Mountjoy Blount, 1st Earl of Newport. For this, he was for a short time imprisoned, and the contract of marriage was declared null and void by the quarter sessions of Middlesex on 17 July following. A valid marriage subsequently took place, and they had a son George. On 26 March of the same year, Porter killed a soldier named Thomas Salkeld in Covent Garden, probably in a duel, and was consequently tried for murder. He pleaded guilty to manslaughter, was allowed benefit of clergy, and was sentenced to be burned in the hand. On 28 July 1667, Porter had a duel with his friend, Sir Henry Belasyse, fully documented by Samuel Pepys, who remarked on the "silliness of the quarrel". Belasyse was mortally wounded, and Porter, who was also hurt, had to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
.jpg "Click for more on -> Edward Ravenscroft")
_The_Villain%2C_a_tragedy.jpg "Click for more on -> Thomas Porter (dramatist)")