1 April, 1597 - The Blind Beggar of Alexandria

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

Henslowe writes: Aprelle 1597| 1 | tt at blinde beger ... | 00 | 05

In modern English: 1^st April, 1597 ... Received at Blind Beggar ... 5 shillings

Beggars in Alexandria; an undated photograph
from Brooklyn Museum's Lantern Slide Collection

Today, for the last time on record, the Admiral's Men revived The Blind Beggar of Alexandria, George Chapman's comedy about a master of disguise. You can read more about this play in the entry for 12 February, 1596.

The Blind Beggar of Alexandria was once immensely popular, but today's takings are dismal, representing an almost empty theatre. The Admiral's Men seem to have decided that this play has run its course, because this is its last appearance in Henslowe's list of performances. 

That doesn't mean that all is over for the blind beggar, however. Next year, in 1598, the playtext will be published for readers to enjoy. And in 1601, the Admiral's Men will restage it in their new playhouse, the Fortune; Henslowe will record the purchasing of new costumes for it, made by "Radford, the little tailor". 

For now, though, we must say farewell to this manic comedy and wait to see what will replace it...

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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