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)

Comments?

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14 March, 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: pd | 14 | tt at the beager ... | 0 | 18

In modern English: 14^th [March, 1597] ... Received at The Beggar ... 18 shillings

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

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

Once immensely popular, The Blind Beggar of Alexandria has not been seen at the Rose for over six weeks. And the audience does not seem to have been longing for it, as the box office is almost unchanged.

Today's entry also 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, 1595.

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!

25 January, 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: 25 | R at the blinde beager ... | 0 | 19

In modern English: 25^th [January, 1597] ... Received at The Blind Beggar ... 19 shillings

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

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

The company has returned The Blind Beggar after a week and a half, and has received a higher box office than recent outings, albeit still not very impressive.

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 January, 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: y^e 15 of Janewary 1597 ... R at the blinde beager ... ix^s

In modern English: 15^th January, 1597 ... Received at The Beggar ... 9 shillings

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

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

The last time the company staged The Blind Beggar, three weeks ago, it received a microscopically small audience. Today's is not much better; this play has most definitely passed its sell-by date.

What's next?

There will be no blog entry tomorrow, because 16 January was a Sunday in 1597 and the players did not perform. Henslowe's Diary ... as a Blog! will thus return on the 17th for a week of old favourites. 

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!

22 December, 1596 - 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: y^e 23 of desembȝ 1596 ... R at the beager ... iij^s

In modern English: [22^nd] December, 1596 ... Received at The Beggar ... 3 shillings

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

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

Oh dear me, how are the mighty fallen. Back in June, The Blind Beggar of Alexandria was a sure-fire hit that always pulled a huge crowd. Today, it has drawn one of the smallest audiences ever recorded at the Rose. 

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!

9 December, 1596 - 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: y^e 10 of desembȝ 1596 ... R at the beager ... x^s

In modern English: [9^th] December, 1596 ... Received at The Beggar ... 10 shillings

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

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

During the past entire week, the Admiral's Men have performed only two plays: the new Vortigern and the once-popular Blind Beggar. It is the beggar who is coming out worst, as today's audience is tiny compared to the more impressive ones for the new play. The company needs to move on from has-been plays like this one. 

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, 1596 - 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: y^e 2 of desembȝ 1596 ... R at the beager ... xx^s

In modern English: 2^nd December, 1596 ... Received at The Beggar ... 20 shillings

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

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

After a mysterious short hiatus, the company has returned with The Blind Beggar, which had once been a sure-fire hit, but which today receives only a smallish audience. 

What's next?

There will be no blog entry tomorrow, as for unknown reasons Henslowe records no performance. Henslowe's Diary ... as a Blog! will thus return on the 4th December, whereupon we will finally see a new play at the Rose!

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 November, 1596 - 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: y^e 12 of novmbȝ 1596 ... R at the beager ... xvj^s

In modern English: 12^th November, 1596 ... Received at The Beggar ... 16 shillings

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

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

The company has rushed The Blind Beggar back after just a few days. But although this play is often been a lot more successful than other plays in the repertory, today's performance is disappointing. This winter season at the Rose looks set to be a lean one.

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 November, 1596 - 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: y^e 6 of novmbȝ 1596 ... R at the beager ... xxx^s

In modern English: 6^th November, 1596 ... Received at The Beggar ... 30 shillings

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

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

This is the first outing for the immensely popular Blind Beggar since the re-opening of the Rose. Today's audience represents a half-full theatre, which is not bad in what is proving to be a rather lean period. 

What's next?

There will be no blog entry tomorrow, because 7 November was a Sunday in 1596 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!

10 July, 1596 - 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: y^e 5 of July 1596 ... R at the beager ... xvij^s

In modern English: [10^th] July, 1596 ... Received at The Beggar ... 17 shillings

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

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

For a long time The Blind Beggar has been a reliable provider of large audiences, but no more: like the previous outing, this performance is disappointing.

What's next?

There will be no blog entry tomorrow, because 11 July was a Sunday in 1596 and the players did not perform. 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!

28 June, 1596 - 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: y^e 25 of June 1596 ... R at the beager ... xix^s

In modern English: [28^th] June, 1596 ... Received at The Beggar ... 19 shillings

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

Today is St Peter's Eve, a time for evening bonfires echoing Midsummer's Eve. The Admiral's Men have revived The Blind Beggar of Alexandria, a comedy by George Chapman about a master of disguise. You can read more about this play in the entry for 12 February.

Despite its popularity, the company has opted to rest The Blind Beggar for three and a half weeks. But the result is not an even bigger audience than usual, but rather a slump. The company must be disappointed.

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 June, 1596 - 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: y^e 3 of June 1596 ... R at the blinde beager ... xxxxj^s

In modern English: [3^rd] June, 1596 ... Received at The Blind Beggar ... 41 shillings

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

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

The enormous audiences of the Whitsuntide holiday appear to be over, but this is still an impressive showing for The Blind Beggar, which remains remarkably popular.

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!

19 May, 1596 - The Bind Beggar of Alexandria

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

Henslowe writes: y^e 18 of maye 1596 ... R at beger ... xxxxix^s

In modern English: [19^th] May, 1596 ... Received at Beggar ... 49 shillings

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

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

The company has waited less than a week to return The Blind Beggar to the stage. Yet the already-impressive audience has actually increased. This play is a genuine crowd-pleaser.

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!

13 May, 1596 - 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: y^e 13 of maye 15956 ... R at blind beger ... xxxx^s

In modern English: 13^th May, 1596 ... Received at Blind Beggar ... 40 shillings

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

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

The company has waited a week and a half to return the popular Blind Beggar to the stage. The result has been an uptick in the size of the audience; this play remains the company's best bet.

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 May, 1596 - 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: y^e 3 of maye 1596 ... R at the blinde beger ... xxxv^s

In modern English: [4^th] May, 1596 ... Received at The Blind Beggar ... 35 shillings

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

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

Returned to the stage after only a week, The Blind Beggar continues to be the company's biggest hit. Its box office is down from last week but it's still doing better than any other play.

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 April, 1596 - 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: y^e 26 of ap^rell 1596 ...  mr pd ... R at the blind beger ... xxxx^s

In modern English: 26^th April, 1596 ... Master paid ... Received at The Blind Beggar ... 40 shillings

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

Today, the Admiral's Men revived The Blind Beggar of Alexandria, a comedy by George Chapman about a master of disguise. You can read more about it in the entry for 12 February.

The Blind Beggar continues to be a hit! Its box office remains the same as last week's and is still higher than the average for the Rose.

Today's entry also 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, 1596.

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 April, 1596 - 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: y^e 15 of ap^rell 1596 ... R at the blynd beger ... xxxx^s

In modern English: 15^th April, 1596 ... Received at The Blind Beggar ... 40 shillings

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

Today, the Admiral's Men revived The Blind Beggar of Alexandria, a comedy by George Chapman about a master of disguise. You can read more about it in the entry for 12 February.

The Blind Beggar had become a tremendous success in the days before the company took their break for Lent. They have finally returned it to the stage and it is continuing to take impressive box office, with a theatre more than half full.

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!

27 February, 1596 - 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: y^e 26 of febreary 1595 ... R at the blind beager ... iij^ll

In modern English: [27^th] February, [1596] ... Received at The Blind Beggar ... 
£3

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

Today, the Admiral's Men revived The Blind Beggar of Alexandria, a comedy by George Chapman about a master of disguise. You can read more about it in the entry for 12 February.

The company has rushed The Blind Beggar back to the stage after only a few days and it has exceeded expectations by filling the theatre! This play is proving to be a very big hit.

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!

23 February, 1596 - 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: y^e 22 of febreary 1595 ... Shroue monday ... R at the blind beager ... xxxvj^s

In modern English: [23^rd] February, [1596] ... Shrove Monday ... Received at The Blind Beggar ... 36 shillings

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

It's Shrove Monday, a day for eating eggs and bacon in advance of the fasting period of Lent! Today, the Admiral's Men revived The Blind Beggar of Alexandria, a comedy by George Chapman about a master of disguise. You can read more about it in the entry for 12 February.

The celebratory feasting of Shrove Monday tends not to increase the box office at the Rose; sure enough, The Blind Beggar's audience has dropped, although Rose is still half full.

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!

20 February, 1596 - 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: y^e 19 of febreary 1595 ... R at the blind beager ... liij^s


In modern English: [20^th] February, [1596] ... Received at The Blind Beggar ... 53 shillings

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

Today, the Admiral's Men revived The Blind Beggar of Alexandria, a comedy by George Chapman about a master of disguise. You can read more about it in the entry for 12 February.

This is the third performance of The Blind Beggar this new play, and it continues to pull in large audiences. We have a hit!


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!