12 February, 1597 - Alexander and Lodowick and a Lenten closure

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

Henslowe writes: 12 | tt at elexsander & lodwicke ... | 01 | 14 

In modern English: 12^th [February, 1597] ... total at Alexander and Lodowick ... £1 and 14 shillings [i.e. 34 shillings]

A very generic illustration accompanying the
printed text of the ballad of The Two Faithful
Friends: The Pleasant History of Alexander
and Lodowick

Another surprising entry today: the Admiral's Men have revived Alexander and Lodowick again! The company almost never revives a play two days in a row, but they have made an exception today. The play told the tale of two friends who swap places; you can read more about it in the entry for January 14. 

After its mysterious but very successful second premiere yesterday, Alexander and Lodowick has achieved solid box office despite being rushed back so quickly. But the company will not be able to bask in their success, for the Rose is about to close for a while. 

 

From the timing, it would seem that the theatre is being shut down for the season of Lent, a time of religious fasting. But that cannot be the full story, because Rose will in fact re-open on 3 March, before the end of Lent. We'll explore the possible reasons when we return. See you in March!

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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