Pepys and Shakespeare

Pepys was a frequent playgoer, and saw a number of Shakespeare productions over the years, with mixed reactions. Orange Moll, who saves a gentleman in the second to last excerpt, was Mary Meggs, a former prostitute who sold oranges in the theater and hired Nell Gwynn, an actress and the mistress of King Charles II, to do the same.

To the Opera, and there saw “Hamlet, Prince of Denmark,” done with scenes very well, but above all, Betterton did the prince’s part beyond imagination. August 24, 1661

To the King’s Theatre, where we saw “Midsummer’s Night’s Dream,” which I had never seen before, nor shall ever again, for it is the most insipid ridiculous play that ever I saw in my life. I saw, I confess, some good dancing and some handsome women, which was all my pleasure. September 29, 1662

Up; and called up by the King’s trumpets, which cost me 10s. So to the office, where we sat all the morning. From hence to the Duke’s house, and there saw “Macbeth” most excellently acted, and a most excellent play for variety. December 27, 1666

Up, and to the office, where busy all the morning; at noon home; and after dinner my wife and Willett and I to the King’s playhouse, and there saw “Henry the Fourth:” and contrary to expectation, was pleased in nothing more than in Cartwright’s speaking of Falstaffe’s speech about “What is Honour?” The house full of Parliament-men, it being holyday with them: and it was observable how a gentleman of good habit, sitting just before us, eating of some fruit in the midst of the play, did drop down as dead, being choked; but with much ado Orange Moll did thrust her finger down his throat, and brought him to life again. After the play, we home, and I busy at the office late, and then home to supper and to bed. November 2, 1667

Thence straight to the office, and there sat all the morning, and then home to dinner, and after dinner I all alone to the Duke of York’s house, and saw “The Tempest,” which, as often as I have seen it, I do like very well, and the house very full. December 12, 1667