Viewing Event Record: A contract for the audience of Jonson's 'Bartholomew Fair' at the Hope

Abstract

Ben Jonson's 'Bartholomew Fair' -- performed by the Lady Elizabeth's Men at the opening of the new Hope -- derides the theatre as 'as dirty as Smithfield and as stinking every whit.' The induction claims to secure a contract between the audience and the author of the play. References to Richard Tarlton, 'The Spanish Tragedy', 'Titus Andronicus', and the 'Mirror for Magistrates' all occur in the induction.

Date Event Recorded

Date
From: 1631 (Source of claim: original)

Date Event Happened

Date
From: 31 October 1614 (Source of claim: original)

Venues

Name
Hope
Name
Bear Garden

Troupes

Name
Lady Elizabeth's Men

Event Type

  • anti-theatrical comment
  • audience context
  • performance
  • playhouse context
  • title-page claim