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Charles VIII of France

Writer · Play · 1671

Charles VIII of France also known by the longer title The History Of Charles The Eighth Of France; Or, The Invasion Of Naples Of The French is a 1671 tragedy by the English writer John Crowne. It is based on the reign of Charles VIII of France and particularly his Italian War of the 1490s. It was first performed at the Dorset Garden Theatre by the Duke's Company with a cast that included Thomas Betterton as Charles the Eighth, Matthew Medbourne as Alphonso, Henry Harris as Ferdinand, William Smith as Prince of Salerne, John Young as Ascanio, Samuel Sandford as Trivultio, Philip Cademan as Ghost, John Crosby as Lewis, Henry Norris as Mompensier, Mary Betterton as Isabella, Margaret Osborne as Cornelia, Elinor Dixon as Julia and Anne Shadwell as Irene.

City Politiques

Writer · Play · 1683

City Politiques is a 1683 comedy play by the English writer John Crowne. It was first performed by the United Company at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane by the recently formed United Company. The original cast are not known. It came at the time of the Tory Reaction to the earlier Popish Plot and Exclusion Crisis, and was of numerous plays of the time that ridiculed the Whig party. It is set during the 1610s in the southern Italian city of Naples, then under Spanish rule.

Darius, King of Persia

Writer · Play · 1688

Darius, King of Persia is a 1688 tragedy by the English writer John Crowne. It portrays the reign of Darius III of Persian Empire, focusing on his defeat by Alexander the Great and subsequent death. It was performed by the United Company at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in late April before being succeeded by the hit The Squire of Alsatia. The roles played by the various actors are unknown, apart from Elizabeth Barry who appeared as Barzana and also spoke the epilogue. It was noted for the attendance on the play's third night by James II, who later the same year was overthrown in the Glorious Revolution.

Juliana

Writer · Play · 1671

Juliana; Or, The Princess Of Poland is a 1671 tragedy by the English writer John Crowne. It was originally staged by the Duke's Company at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre in London. The original cast included Mary Betterton as Juliana, Thomas Betterton as Ladislaus, Henry Harris as Cardinal, John Young as Demetrius, William Smith as Sharnofsky, Samuel Sandford as Cassonofsky, Henry Norris as Colimsky, Edward Angel as Landlord, Matthew Medbourne as Theodore, John Crosby as Alexey, Jane Long as Paulina and Anne Shadwell as Joanna.

Regulus

Playwright · Play · 1692

A tragedy portraying the career of Roman consul Marcus Atilius Regulus during the First Punic War.

Sir Courtly Nice

Writer · Play · 1685

Sir Courtly Nice: Or, It Cannot Be is a 1685 comedy play by the English writer John Crowne. Rehearsals by the United Company were underway when the death of Charles II in February led to the closure of all theatres as a mark of respect. The play was eventually staged on 9 May at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. It is the tradition of the Restoration Comedy. A popular hit, it became a stock part of the repertoire for more than a century, with Colley Cibber and Anne Oldfield appearing in a celebrated 1709 revival. The original cast included William Mountfort as Sir Courtly, Cave Underhill as Hothead, Thomas Gillow as Testimony, William Mountfort as Lord Beaugard, Philip Griffin as Surly, Anthony Leigh as Sir Nicholas Callico and Elizabeth Barry as Leonora. Crowne made an attempt to balance the politics of the time by creating a Hothead, a hardline Tory character to balance out the Puritan Whig zealot Testimony but the play still revealed the author's underlying support for the Tory position. The published version was dedicated to the Duke of Ormonde.

The Ambitious Statesman

Writer · Play · 1679

The Ambitious Statesman; Or, The Loyal Favourite is a 1679 tragedy by the English writer John Crowne. It was originally staged by the King's Company at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane in London. The original cast is unknown except for Joseph Haines who played La Marre, and also spoke the epilogue.

The Country Wit

Writer · Play · 1676

The Country Wit is a 1676 comedy play by the English writer John Crowne, part of the tradition of Restoration Comedy. It was first staged at the Dorset Garden Theatre in London by the Duke's Company. The cast included Samuel Sandford as Sir Thomas Rash, Thomas Betterton as Ramble, James Nokes as Sir Mannerly Shallow, Henry Harris as Merry, Cave Underhill as Booby, Matthew Medbourne as Lord Drybone, Anthony Leigh as Rash, Mary Betterton as Lady Faddle, Mary Lee as Christina, Elizabeth Currer as Betty Frisque and Elinor Leigh as Isabella.

The English Frier

Writer · Play · 1690

The English Frier; Or, The Town Sparks, sometimes spelt as The English Friar, is a 1690 comedy play by the English writer John Crowne. It was originally staged by the United Company most likely at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, although it may have appeared at the Dorset Garden Theatre, the other venue of the company. Written in context of the recent Glorious Revolution, it attacks Catholic priests who meddle in English politics, undermining the constitution. The original cast included Anthony Leigh as Lord Stately, Edward Kynaston as Lord Wiseman, George Powell as Bellamour, John Bowman as Father Finical, Joseph Williams as Young Ranter, Cave Underhill as Old Ranter, George Bright as Dullman, William Bowen as Coachman, Samuel Sandford as Sir Thomas Credulous, Anne Bracegirdle as Julia, Charlotte Butler as Airy, Elinor Leigh as Lady Pinchgut and Elizabeth Boutell as Lady Credulous.

The Married Beau

Writer · Play · 1694

The Married Beau or The Curious Impertinent is a 1694 comedy play by the English writer John Crowne. It is inspired by a passage from Miguel de Cervantes's Don Quixote. Incidental music was composed by Henry Purcell. It was first staged by the United Company in London. The original Drury Lane cast featured George Powell as Loveley, Thomas Betterton as Polidor, Thomas Doggett as Thorneback, William Bowen as Sir John, Elizabeth Barry as Mrs Loveley, Elizabeth Bowman as Cecilia, Anne Bracegirdle as Camilla and Susanna Verbruggen as Lionell. The published version was dedicated to the Tory politician the Marquess of Normanby.

The Misery of Civil War

Writer · Play · 1680

The Misery of Civil War is a 1680 tragedy by the English writer John Crowne. It was originally staged by the Duke's Company at the Dorset Garden Theatre in London. The play was staged at the height of the Popish Plot, something Crowne addressed in his prologue. Although he states that "by his feeble skill 'tis built alone, The Divine Shakespeare did not lay one Stone" the plot in fact drew heavily on Henry VI, Part 2 and Part 3 The original cast included Joseph Williams as Henry VI of England, William Smith as Edward, John Bowman as Duke of Clarence, Thomas Gillow as Richard, Thomas Betterton as Earl of Warwick, Thomas Percival as Old Lord Clifford, John Wiltshire as Young Clifford, Mary Lee as Queen Margaret, Mary Betterton as Lady Grey and Elizabeth Currer as Lady Eleanor Butler.

Thyestes

Writer · Play · 1680

Thyestes, A Tragedy is a 1680 tragedy by the English writer John Crowne. It was originally staged by the King's Company at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. The original cast is unknown. It is based on Thyestes by Seneca.

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