31 December, 1595 - The Wise Man of West Chester

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

Henslowe writes: y^e 30 of desembȝ 1595 ... R at the wisman of weschester ... xxij^s 

In modern English: [31^st] December, 1595 ... Received at The Wise Man of West  Chester ... 22 shillings

A man, who might possibly be
wise, carved on the choir
stalls of Chester Cathedral

Today, the Admiral's Men staged The Wise Man of West Chester, a lost play that appears to have been about a wizard in the English city of Chester; you can read more about it in the entry for 3 December, 1594.

The Christmastide enthusiasm for theatre seems to be over now, as The Wise Man of West Chester receives an unimpressive audience today.

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)

Comments?

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30 December, 1595 - Longshanks

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

Henslowe writes: y^e 29 of desembȝ  1595 ... R at longshanckes ... xxxij^s 

In modern English: [30^th] December, 1595 ... Received at Longshanks ... 32 shillings

Portrait of Edward I in
Westminster Abbey

Today, the Admiral's Men returned to Longshanks, their lost play about King Edward I of England; you can read more about it in the entry for 29 August.

The large crowds associated with Christmastide festivity appears to be ebbing as the season rolls on: Longshanks has filled only half the theatre, something it has been capable of doing on many ordinary days. Londonders may be returning to work and having less time for fun.

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)

Comments?

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29 December, 1595 - Harry V

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

Henslowe writes: y^e 28 of desembȝ 1595 ... R at harye the v ... lvj^s 

In modern English: [29^th] December, 1595 ... Received at Harry V ... 56 shillings

King Henry V, posthumous portrait
(late 16th or early 17th century)

Today, the Admiral's Men returned to Harry V, their play about King Henry V of England, who, according to legend, gave up a dissolute lifestyle and led his country to victory against the French at the Battle of Agincourt before his untimely death. You can read more about this play in the entry for 28 November.

The season of Christmastide continues this week, and Londoners are still in festive mood and flocking to the playhouses. The Admiral's Men are performing Harry V to an almost full theatre and must be enjoying the boisterous atmosphere.

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)

Comments?

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27 December, 1595 - Barnardo and Philametta

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

Henslowe writes: y^e 26 of desembȝ  1595 ... R at barnardo ... lviij^s 

In modern English: [27^th] December, 1595  ... Received at Barnardo ... 58 shillings

Portrait of a couple by an unknown French artist, c.1610

Today, the Admiral's Men revived Barnardo and Philametta, a lost play on an unknown subject; you can read more about it in the entry for 30 October.

Wow! Barnardo and Philametta has until now received truly dreadful box office implying that it was unappealing to audiences on an epic scale. But today, the Christmas holiday season has given the play a huge audience, representing an almost full theatre. Clearly Christmastime was all about going to see plays, regardless of quality.

What's next?

There will be no blog entry tomorrow because 28 December was a Sunday in 1595 and the players did not perform. Henslowe's Diary ... as a Blog! will thus return on the 29th for more Christmas shows and a new play. See you then!

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)

Comments?

Did I make a mistake? Do you have a question? Have you anything to add? Please post a comment below!

26 December, 1595 - The Wonder of a Woman

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

Henslowe writes: y^e 25 of desembȝ 1595 ^{S steuens day} ... R at the wonder of a womon ... iij^ll ij^s 

In modern English: [26^th] December, 1595, St Stephen's Day ... Received at The Wonder of a Woman ... £3 and 2 shillings

Artemesia Gentileschi, Allegory of
Fame (early 1630s)

Merry Christmas! In Elizabethan England, today was St Stephen's Day, or the second day of Christmas (the equivalent of our Boxing Day). It was a time for feasting and the giving of presents, but it was also a time for theatre, as the Rose has opened its doors to Londoners on this festive day.

The Admiral's Men have chosen to perform The Wonder of a Woman, a lost play that you can read more about in the entry for 16 October. This play has been doing very poorly at the box office of late, but not today: on this festive occasion, the theatre is packed, regardless of the quality of the production.

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)

Comments?

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22 December, 1595 - The New World's Tragedy

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

Henslowe writes: y^e 22 of desembȝ 1595 ... R at the new worldes tragedie ... xx^s 

In modern English: 22^nd December, 1595 ... Received at The New World's Tragedy ... 20 shillings

Walter Raleigh attacking Trinidad, by
Theodore de Bry (1595)

Today, the Admiral's Men revived their lost play The New World's Tragedy, which may have been about a calamitous event in the Americas. You can read more about this play in the entry for 17 September.

The company has returned to work for just one day; they are about to take more time off before Christmastide begins. They have chosen The New World's Tragedy, last performed ten days ago. Its mediocre box office suggests that Londoners are still in Advent mode, but this is likely to change when they flock to the theatres during Christmas. The players must be looking forward to that.

What's next?

There will be no blog entries for the next few days, as Henslowe records no performances.  Henslowe's Diary ... as a Blog! will thus return on Boxing Day. See you then!

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)

Comments?

Did I make a mistake? Do you have a question? Have you anything to add? Please post a comment below!

18 December, 1595 - 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 18 of desembȝ 1595 ... m^r pd ... R at j pt of herculos ... xiij^s 

In modern English: 18^th December, 1595 ... Master paid ... Received at First Part of Hercules ... 13 shillings

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

Today, the Admiral's Men 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.

Today's entry includes a note that Henslowe paid the license for the Rose to the Master of the Revels; you can read more about this in the entry for 8 November.

The players have waited three and a half weeks to restage the once-popular Hercules. Today's box office is even lower than it was before. And the players will not bother with their usual practice of performing Part Two tomorrow.

What's next?

There will be no blog entries for a few days, as Henslowe's Diary suggests that the players took some time off, perhaps to relax before the busy Christmas season. Henslowe's Diary ... as a Blog! will thus return on the 22nd. See you then!

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)

Comments?

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16 December, 1595 - Harry V

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

Henslowe writes: y^e 16 of desembȝ 1595 ... R at hary the v ... xxix^s 

In modern English: 16^th December, 1595 ... Received at Harry V ... 29 shillings

King Henry V, posthumous portrait
(late 16th or early 17th century)

Today, the Admiral's Men returned to Harry V, their play about King Henry V of England, who, according to legend, gave up a dissolute lifestyle and led his country to victory against the French at the Battle of Agincourt before his untimely death. You can read more about this play in the entry for 28 November.

The company has waited a week to bring back King Henry. The play continues to hover around the average for the Rose.

What's next?

For some reason, Henslowe records no performance tomorrow. Henslowe's Diary ... as a Blog! will thus return on the 18th. See you then!

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)

Comments?

Did I make a mistake? Do you have a question? Have you anything to add? Please post a comment below!

15 December, 1595 - The Seven Days of the Week

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

Henslowe writes: y^e 14 of desembȝ  1595 ... R at the vij dayes ... xxiiij^s    

In modern English: [15^th] December, 1595 ... Received at The Seven Days ... 24 shillings

Today, the Admiral's Men revived their enigmatic lost play The Seven Days of the Week, about which we know nothing beyond its title. Perhaps it was an anthology of seven short plays, or perhaps it was about the creation of the world. You can read more about it in the entry for 3rd June.

19th-century Italian bracelet illustrating each of the seven days of
the week with a portrait of the deity associated with it.
From the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore. 

The Seven Days of the Week used to be one of the company's most frequently performed plays, but they have now waited a month to revive it. There has been a small improvement in the box office.

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)

Comments?

Did I make a mistake? Do you have a question? Have you anything to add? Please post a comment below!

12 December, 1595 - The New World's Tragedy

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

Henslowe writes: y^e 12 of desembȝ 1595 ... R at the new worldes tragedy ... xxxj^s vj^d

In modern English: 12^th December, 1595 ... Received at The New World's Tragedy ... 31 shillings and sixpence

Walter Raleigh attacking Trinidad, by
Theodore de Bry (1595)

Today, the Admiral's Men revived their lost play The New World's Tragedy, which may have been about a calamitous event in the Americas. You can read more about this play in the entry for 17 September.

The company continues to perform The New World's Tragedy every two weeks or so. Like Longshanks yesterday, it has experienced a sudden rise in box office, suggesting a boost in theatregoing at this time.

What's next?

There will be no blog entry tomorrow because Henslowe records no performance for 13th December; neither does he record one for the 14th because that was a Sunday in 1595. Henslowe's Diary ... as a Blog! will thus return on the 15th. See you then!

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)

Comments?

Did I make a mistake? Do you have a question? Have you anything to add? Please post a comment below!

10 December, 1595 - Longshanks

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

Henslowe writes: y^e 10 of desembȝ  1595 ... R at prynce longshanke ... xxx^s 

In modern English: 10^th December, 1595 ... Received at Prince Longshank ... 30 shillings

Portrait of Edward I in
Westminster Abbey

Today, the Admiral's Men returned to Longshanks, their lost play about King Edward I of England; you can read more about it in the entry for 29 August.

The company has broken with its habit of performing Longshank every three weeks and has returned to it after only two - and has received higher box office than usual.

This is an intriguing entry, because just for once, Henslowe calls the play Prince Longshank, instead of his usual Longshank. This entry has led some scholars to wonder whether the play might have been about the exploits of the young Edward, who fought in the Crusades before he was king.

What's next? 

There will be no blog entry tomorrow because for some reason Henslowe records no performance on 11th December. Henslowe's Diary ... as a Blog! will thus return on the 12th. See you then!

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)

Comments?

Did I make a mistake? Do you have a question? Have you anything to add? Please post a comment below!

8 December, 1595 - Harry V

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

Henslowe writes: y^e 8 of desembȝ 1595 ... R at hary the v ... xxix^s 

In modern English: 8^th December, 1595 ... Received at Harry V ... 29 shillings

King Henry V, posthumous portrait
(late 16th or early 17th century)

Today, the Admiral's Men returned to Harry V, their play about King Henry V of England, who, according to legend, gave up a dissolute lifestyle and led his country to victory against the French at the Battle of Agincourt before his untimely death. You can read more about this play in the entry for 28 November.

For its third performance, the players have quickly returned Harry V to the stage in under a week. Its box office is again merely average, but that is still good enough in this lean time of the year.

What's next?

For some reason, Henslowe records no performance tomorrow. Henslowe's Diary ... as a Blog! will thus return on the 10th. See you then!

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)

Comments?

Did I make a mistake? Do you have a question? Have you anything to add? Please post a comment below!

6 December, 1595 - Crack Me This Nut

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

Henslowe writes: y^e 6 of desembȝ 1595 ... R at Crack me this nvtt ... xv shillings


In modern English: 6^th December, 1595 ... Received at Crack Me This Nut ... 15 shillings

Dessert Still Life by Georg Flegel (1566-1638)

Today, the Admiral's Men returned to Crack Me This Nut. We know nothing about the content of this lost play, but you can read more about it in the entry for 5th September.

The company has waited a week and a half to revive Crack Me This Nut. It box office had plateaued at around 25 shillings for a while, but has now started to decline.

What's next?

There will be no blog entry tomorrow because 7 December was a Sunday in 1595 and the players did not perform. Henslowe's Diary ... as a Blog! will thus return on the 8th - see you then!

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)

Comments?

Did I make a mistake? Do you have a question? Have you anything to add? Please post a comment below!

4 December, 1595 - The Wonder of a Woman

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

Henslowe writes: y^e 4 of desembȝ 1595 ... R at wonder of a womon ... xiiij^s 

In modern English: 4^th December, 1595 ... Received at Wonder of a Woman ... 14 shillings

Artemesia Gentileschi, Allegory of
Fame (early 1630s)

Today, the Admiral's Men revived The Wonder of a Woman. You can read more about this lost play in the entry for 16 October.

The players have waited two weeks to revive The Wonder of a Woman, but its box office is now already in the doldrums.

What's next?

There will be no blog entry tomorrow, because, for unknown reasons, no performance is recorded at the Rose on 5th December. We're entering a stretch of the Diary in which numerous days do not have performances recorded, a situation that will continue throughout December. We do not know whether the Rose was literally empty that day, or whether Henslowe's records are in error.

 Henslowe's Diary ... as a Blog! will thus return on the 6th; see you then!

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)

Comments?

Did I make a mistake? Do you have a question? Have you anything to add? Please post a comment below!

3 December, 1595 - Barnardo and Philametta

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

Henslowe writes: y^e 3 of desembȝ  1595 ... R at barnardo ... vij^s 

In modern English: 3^rd December, 1595  ... Received at Barnardo ... 7 shillings

Portrait of a couple by an unknown French artist, c.1610

Today, the Admiral's Men revived Barnardo and Philametta, a lost play on an unknown subject; you can read more about it in the entry for 30 October.

Barnardo and Philametta continues to receive catastrophically awful box office. One cannot help suspect that it will not remain long in the repertory.

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)

Comments?

Did I make a mistake? Do you have a question? Have you anything to add? Please post a comment below!

2 December, 1595 - Harry V

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

Henslowe writes: y^e 2 of desembȝ 1595 ... R at harey the v ... xxxv^s 

In modern English: 2^nd December, 1595 ... Received at Harry V ... 35 shillings

King Henry V, posthumous portrait
(late 16th or early 17th century)

Today, the Admiral's Men returned to Harry V, their play about King Henry V of England, who, according to legend, gave up a dissolute lifestyle and led his country to victory against the French at the Battle of Agincourt before his untimely death. You can read more about this play in the entry for 28 November.

The players have rushed Harry V back to the stage, following its very successful premiere. Today the audience size is merely average, but that in itself is probably a relief, since the company's new plays have been quite disastrous of late.

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)

Comments?

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1 December,1595 - A Toy to Please Chaste Ladies

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

Henslowe writes: y^e 31 of novmbȝ 1595 ... R at the toye to please chaste ladeyes ... xij^s 

In modern English: [1^st December, 1595] ... Received at The Toy to Please Chaste Ladies ... 12 shillings

Two Women at a Window by Murillo (1655-60)

Today, the Admiral's Men returned to A Toy to Please Chaste Ladies, an enigmatic lost play; you can read more about it in the entry for 14 November.

It is the first day of December, and we are now entering the period known as Advent, a period traditionally associated with fasting before Christmas. Although theatre was obviously still permitted, it's likely that a lot of Londoners would have felt guilty about attending during this time.

Perhaps this explains the disastrous box office of this third performance of A Toy to Please Chaste Ladies, which appears not to have pleased many ladies at all, chaste or otherwise.

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)

Comments?

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