6 January, 1596 - The First Part of Hercules

Here's what the Admiral's Men performed at the Rose playhouse on this day, 424 years ago...

Henslowe writes: y^e 6 of Jenewary 1595 ... R at hurculos the j pte ... iij^ll 

In modern English: 6^th January, [1596] ... Received at Hercules, the First Part ... £3

Hercules fighting the Nemean Lion by
Francisco de Zurbarán (1634)

Today is the Feast of Epiphany, one of the most important festivals in the Elizabethan church year, and the last of the twelve days of Christmas (hence today is also known as Twelfth Night).

At the Rose, the Admiral's Men have revived The First Part of Hercules, which retold some of the legends of the Greek mythological strongman, perhaps focusing on his Twelve Labours. You can read more about this play in the entry for 7 May.

And on this festive occasion, London's theatregoers have flooded to the Rose! The theatre is almost full, and the players must be savoring this last burst of Christmas cheer.

Henslowe links

• Transcript of this page of the Diary (from W.W. Greg's 1904 edition)
• Facsimile of this page of the Diary (from the Henslowe-Alleyn Digitisation Project)

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