THE ACTORS REMONSTRANCE, OR COMPLAINT: FOR The filencing of their profeffion, and banifhment from their feverall Play-houfes.

In which is fully fet downe their grievancces, for their reftraint; efpecially fince Stageplayes, only of all publike recreations are prohabited; the exercife at the Beares Colledge, and the motions of Puppets being ftill in force and vigour. As it was prefented in the names and behlafes of all our London Comedians to the great God PHOEBUS1Apollo, and the nine Heliconian2 Sifters, on the top of PERNASSUS3, by one of the Mafters of Requefts to the Muses, for this prefent month. And published by their command in print by the Typograph Royallof the Caftalian Province. 1643. London, Printed for Edw. Nickson. Iannar. 24. 1643.

The Actors Remonftrance or Complaint, for the filencing of their Profefsion, and banishment from their severall P L A Y-H O U S E S.
Opreffed with many calamities and languifhing to death under the burthen of a long and (for ought wee know) an everlafting reftraint, we the Comedians, Tragedians and Actors of all forts and fizes belonging to the famous private and publike Houfes within the City of London and the Suburbs thereof, to you great Phoebus, and you facred Sifters4, the fole Patroneffes of our diftreffed Calling, doe we in all humility prefent this our humble and lamentable complaint, by whole interceffion to thole powers who confined us to filence, wee hope to be reftored to our priftine honour and imployment. Firft, it is not unknown to all the audience that have frequented the private Houfes of Black-Friers, the Cock-Pit and Salisbury-Court5, without aufterity, wee have purged our Stages from all obfcene and fcurrilous jefts; fuch as might either be guilty of corrupting the manners, or defaming the perfons of any men of note in the City or Kingdome; that wee have endeavored as much as in us lies, to inftruct one another in the true and genuine Art of acting, to repreffe bawling and railing, formerly in great requeft, and for to fuite our language and action to the more gentile and naturall garbe of the times; that we have left off for our owne parts, and fo have commanded our fervants, to forget that ancient cuftome, which formerly rendred men of our quality infamous, namely, the inveigling in young Gentlemen, Merchants Factors, and Prentizes6 to fpend their patrimonies7 and Mafters eftates upon us and our Harlots 8 in Tavernes; we have cleane and quite given over the borrowing money at firft fight of punie gallants, or praifing 9 their fwords, belts, and beavers , fo to invite them to beftow them upon us ; and to our praife be it fpoken, we were for the moft part very well reformed, few of us keeping or being rather kept by our Miftreffes, betooke our felves wholy to our wives; obferving the matrimoniall vow of chaftity, yet for all thefe conformities and reformations, wee were by authority (to which wee in all humility fubmit) reftrained from the practice of our Profeffion; that Profeffion which had before maintained us in comely and convenient Equipage10; fome of us by it merely being inabled to keepe Horfes (though not Whores) is now condemned to a perpetuall, at leaft a very long temporary filence, and wee left to live upon our fhifts or the expence of our former gettings to the great impoverifhment and utter undoing of our felves, wives, children, and dependants; befades which, is of all other our extremeft grievance, that Playes being put downe under the name of publike recreations; other publike recreations of farre more harmfull confequence permitted, ftill to 11 ftand in ftatm quo prius , namely, that Nurfe of barbarifme and beaftlineffe, the Beare-Garden12, whereupon their ufuall dayes, thofe Demy-Monfters, are baited by bandogs, the Gentlemen of Stave aud Taile13, namely, bofstrous Butchers, cutting Coblers, hard-handed Mafons, and the like, rioting companions, reforting thither with as much freedome as formerly, making with the fweat and crowding, a farre worfe ftinck than the ill formed Beafts they perfecute with their dogs and whips, Pick-pockets, which in an age are not heard of in any of our Houfes, repairing thither, and other difturbers of the publike peace, which dare not be feen in our civill and well-governed Theatres, where none ufe to come but the beft of the Nobility and Gentry; and though fome have taxed our Houfes unjuftly for being the receptacles of Harlots, the exchanges where they meet and make their bargaines with their franck chapmen of the Country and City, yet we may juftly excufe our felves of either knowledge or confent in thefe lewd practices, we having no propheticke foules to know womens honefty by inftinct, nor commiffion to examine them; and if we 15 had, worthy were thefe wretches of Bridewel14l, that out of their owne mouthes would convince themfelves of lafcivioufneffe: Puppit-plays, which are not fo much valuable as the very mufique betweene each Act at ours, are ftill 16 up with uncontrolled allowance, witneffe the famous motion of Bell and the Dragon17, fo frequently vifited at 18 Holbourne-bridge ; thefe paffed Chriftmas Holidayes, whither Citizens of all forts repaire with far more detriment to themfelves then ever did to Playes, Comedies and Tragedies being the lively reprefentations of mens actions, in which, vice is alwayes fharply glanced at, and punifhed, and vertue rewarded and encouraged ; the moft exact and naturall eloquence of our Englifh language expreffed and daily amplified ; and yet for all this, we differ, and are inforced, our felves and our dependants, to tender our complaint in dolefull manner to you great Phoebus, and you infpired Heliconian Virgins: Firft, our Houfe-keepers, that grew wealthy by our endevours, complaine that they are 19 enforced to pay the grand Land-lords rents, during this long Vacation, out of their former gettings; inftead of ten, twenty, nay, thirty fhillings fhares, which ufed nightly to adorne and comfort with their harmonious mufique, their large and well-ftuffed pockets, they have fhares in nothing with us now but our mif-fortunes; living merely out of the ftock, out of the intereft and principall of their former gotten moneyes, which daily is exhaufted by the maintenancy

of themfelves and families. For our felves, fuch as were fhareers, are fo impoverifhed, that were it not for fome flender helps afforded us in this time of calamitie, by our former providence, we might be enforced to act our Tragedies: our Hired-men are difperft, fome turned Souldiers and Trumpetters, others deftind to meaner courfes, or depending upon us, whom in 20 courtefie wee cannot fee want, for old acquaintance fakes . Their friends, young Gentlemen, that ufed to feaft and 21 frolick with them at Tavernes, having either quitted the kin in thefe times of diftraction, or their money having quitted them, they are afhamed to look upon their old expenfive friends. Nay, their verie Miftreffes, thofe Buxfome and Bountifull Laffes, that ufually were enamoured on the perfons of the younger fort of Actors, for the good cloaths they wore up on the ftage, believing them really to be the perfons they did only reprefent, and quitie out of forts themselves, and fo difabled for fupplying their poore friends neceffities. Our Fooles, who had wont to allure and excite laughter with their very contenances, at their firft appearance on the ftage (hard fhifts are better than none) are enforced, fome of them at leaft to maintaine themfelves, by vertue of their barbles. Our boyes, ere wee shall have 22 libertie to act againe, will be growne out of ufe like crackt organ-pipes, and have faces as old as our flags . Nay our very Doore-keepers, men and women, moft grievoufly complaine, that by this ceffation they are robbed 23 of the priviledge of ftealing from us with licence; they cannot now, as in King Agamemnons dayes, feeme to fcratch their heads where they itch not, and drop fhillings and half Crowne-pieces in at their collars. Our Mufike that was held fo delectable and precious, that they fcorned to come to a Taverne under twentie fhillings falary for two houres, now Wander with their Inftruments under their cloaks, I meand fuch as have any, into all houfes of good fellowfhip, 24 faluting every roome where there is company, with ill you have any mufike Gentlemen? For our Tire-men , and others that belonged formerly to our ward-robe, with the reft, they are out of fervice: our ftock of cloaths, fuch as are not in tribulation for the general ufe, being a facrifice to moths. The Tobacco-men, that ufed to walk up and downe, felling for a penny pipe, that which was not worth twelve-pence an horfe-load; Being now bound under Tapfters25 in Inns and Tippling houfes26. Nay fuch a terrible diftreffe and diffolution hath befallen us, and all thofe that had dependence on the ftage, that it hath quite unmade our hopes of future recovrie. For fome of our ableft ordinarie Poets, inftead of their annuall 27 ftipends and beneficiall fecund-dayes , being for mere neceffitie compelled to get a living by writing contemptible penny-pamphlets in which they have not fo much as poetical licence to ufe any attribute of their profeffion;but that of 28 Quid libet audendi ? And faining miraculous ftories, and relations of unheard of battels. Nay, it is to be feared, that fhortly fome of them; (if they have not been enforced to do it already) will be encited to enter themfelves into Martin Parkers29 focietie, and write ballads. And what a fhame this is, great Phoebus, and you facred Sifters; for your owne Priefts thus to be degraded of their ancient dignities. Be your felves righteous Judges, when thofe who formerly have fung with fuch elegance the acts of Kings and Potentates 30, charming like Orphens31 the dull and brutifh multitude, fcarce a degree above ftones and forrefts into admiration, though not into underftanding with their divine raptures, 32 fhall be by that tyrant Neceffitie reduced to fuch abject exigents,wandring like grand children of old Erra Paters 33 thofe learned Almanack-makers, without any Macenas to cherifh their loftie conceptions, proftituted by the miffortune of our filence, to inexplicable miferies,having no heavenly Caftalian 34 Sack35 to actuate and informe their fpirits almoft Confounded with ftupiditie and coldneffe, by their frequent drinking (and glad too they gan get it) of fulfome Ale, and hereticall Beere, as their ufuall beverage. To conclude, this our humble complaint great Phoebus, and you nine facred Sifters, the Patroneffes of Wit, and Protectreffes of us poore difrepected Comedians, if for the prefent, by your powerfull interceffions we may be reinvefted in our former Houfes, and fetled in our former Calling, we fhall for the future promife, never to admit into our fix penny-roomes36 thofe unwholefome inticing Harlots, that fit there merely to be taken up by Prentizes or Lawyers Clerks ; nor any female of what degree foever, except they come lawfully with their husbands, or neere allies : the abufes in Tobacco fhall be reformed, none vended, not fo much as in there-penny galleries, unleffe of the pure Spanifh leafe37. For ribaldry38, or any fuch paltry sguffe[?], as may fcandall the pious, and provoke the wicked to loofeneffe, we will utterly expel it with the bawdy and ungracious Poets, the authors to the Antiodes. Finally, we fhall hereafter fo demeane our felves as none fhall efteeme us of the ungodly, or have caufe to repine at our action or interludes : we will not entertaine any Comedian that fhall fpeake his part in a tone, as if hee did it in derifion[?] of fome of the pious, but reforme all our diforders, and amend all our amiffes, fo profper us Phoebus and the nine Mufes, and be propitious39 to this our complaint.

FINIS40

Endnotes
1

Phoebus: Another name for the Greek god Apollo (Phoebus). Apollo was the great Olympian god of prophecy and oracles, healing, plague and disease, music, song and poetry, archery, and the protection of the young. He was depicted as a handsome, beardless youth with long hair and various attributes including:--a wreath and branch of laurel; bow and quiver; raven; and lyre (Apollon). 2 Heliconian: Of or relating to the Boeotian mountain Helicon supposed by the ancient Greeks to be the residence of Apollo and the Muses (Heliconian). 3 Parnassus: Parnassus, or Mount Parnassus, is a mountain barren limestone spur of the Pindus Mountians [in] Central Greece. . . . In ancient times Parnassus was sacred to the Dorians and in mythology to Apollo and the Corycian nymphs. . . . For the Roman poets, Parnassuss Castalian spring was a source of inspiration; they favoured Parnassus over Mount Helicon as the home of the Muses (Mount Parnassus). 4 Sacred Sisters: Sacred Sisters, also known as the Nine Muses of Greek Mythology. They were deities that gave artists, philosophers and individuals the necessary inspiration for creation (The Nine Muses of the Greek Mythology) 5 Black-friers, the Cock-Pitt and Salisbury-Court: Of the distinguishing marks of private playhouses we only know that they were smaller than others; and that the representations, were usually by candlelight, wheras in the public they were by day. . . . The Blackfriars Theatre was built in 1576, by James Burbage and his fellow servants of Dudley Earl of Leicester, in consequence of an act of Common Council passed the preceding year, prohibiting the erection of a play-house within the limits of the City jurisdiction. . . . The cockpit or Phoenix Theatre in Drury Lane stood in the parish of St. Giles-in-the-Fields. . . . Salisbury Court Theatre, Feelt Street, was built in 1629, by Richard Gunnell and William Blagrove, players, and was originally a barn or granary at the lower end of the great back yard or court of Salisbury House. In March, 1649, it was destroyed by the Puritan authorities, but subswequently re-built and reopened by William Beeston, an actor, in 1660 (Hindley) 6 Prentices: Apprentices (Prentice) 7 Patrimony: An estate inherited from one's father or ancestor (Patrimony) 8 Fight: In actuality, this word should be sight, but due to the use of the long s, the word appears as fight. This could very well be in line with Charles Hindleys claim that this text is satirical. It could also be the actors way of leaving a hidden message that says actors will continue to fight for their profession. 9 Beaver: A helmet visor(Beaver) 10 Equipage: A horse-drawn carriage with its servants (Equipage) 11 Latin for: in the state as before. 12 The Bear Garden: The Bear Garden, or Bear Garden Ampi-theatre served as both a theatre and an arena for bear baiting and bull-baiting. It was located on the Bankside in Southwark in what had been the Bear Garden (The Bear Garden Theatre). 13 Stave: To render impervious or solid by driving with a calking iron; as, to stave lead, or the joints of pipes into which lead has been run. To stave and tail, in bear baiting, (to stave) to interpose with the staff, doubtless to stop the bear; (to tail) to hold back the dog by the tail. Nares (Websters Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913 + 1828)) 14 Bridewell: Bridewell or Bridewell Prision and Hospital was established in a former royal palace in 1553 with two purposes: the punishment of the disorderly poor and housing of homeless children in the City of London. Located on the banks of the Fleet River in the City, it was both the first house of correction in the country and a major charitable institution (reflecting the early modern definition of a hospital). Its records provide valuable evidence of both petty crime and pauper apprenticeships in the eighteenth century(Bridewell Prision and Hospital). 15 Convince: i.e., convict (Hindley). 16 Motion: A puppet. Also a puppet-show. It was of very common occurrence, especially in old plays (Hindley). 17 Bell and the Dragon: The tale of Bel and the Dragon forms chapter 14 of the Book of Daniel. It is believed by some scholars to have been written in the late 2nd century BC and accounted apocryphal in Protestant Bibles. The chapter is formed of three independent narratives, which place the culture-hero Daniel at the court of Cyrus, king of the Persians (The Bible: Bel and the Dragon). 18 Holbourne-bridge: Holborn Bridge or "Oldboorne bridge" ([qtd. in] Stow; BHO) spanned the Fleet Ditch at Holborn Street. Located in the ward of Farringdon Without, the bridge was part of a major westward thoroughfare (Jenstad) 19 Grand: i.e., superior or ground landlords (Hindley). 20 Fakes: In actuality, this word should be sakes, but due to the use of the long s, the word appears as fakes. Once again, this could very well be in line with Charles Hindleys claim that this text is satirical.

21 22

Kin: Kindred (Hindley) Flag: Old play houses exhibited flags on their roofs when there were performances at them. This originated, probably, from the situation of several of them on the Surrey side of the Thames; since, by this devise, they could telegraphically inform those on the opposite shore, when there was to be a play (Hindley). 23 King Agamemnon: In Greek legend, [Agamemnon was] king of Mycenae or Argos (Agamemnon). 24 Tire-man: A dealer in dresses, and all kinds of ornamental clothing (Hindley). 25 Tapster: Bartender (Tapster) 26 Tippling house: Barroom (Tippling house) 27 beneficiall fecund-dayes: When the authors had the whole or part, as by arrangement, of the proceeds of the House in payment for their plays (Hindley). 28 Latin for: What I want to be bold. 29 Martin Parker: most distinguished of professional ballad -writer and leader of a group of lesser Caroline singers, was probably born about 1600 (Rollins). 30 Poetentate: a powerful ruler (Poetentate). 31 Charming like orphans: Whenever in Europe, following the religious changes of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, the care of orphans was not committed to ecclesiastical oversight, it was considered to be a public duty. Under the English poor law it was the duty of the parish to support the indigent so that none should die(Orphans and Orphanages). With this historical context then, the charming like orphans statement may be a tongue -incheek jab at societys choice to care for orphans and shun actors. 32 Erra Pater: The real or fictitious name of an eminent Jewish astologer [sic], but of whom nothing more than the name appears recorded (Hindley). 33 Maecenas: Gaius Maecenas was a Roman diplomat, counselor to the Roman emperor Augustus, and wealthy patron of such poets as Virgil and Horace. He was criticized by Seneca for his luxurious way of life (Gaius Maecenas) 34 Castalian: Reference to Castalia, a source of poetic inspiration. Castalia was the name of a nymph who threw herself into or was transformed into a spring to evade the pursuit of Apollo. The spring was then named after her, and it was a source of inspiration for Apollo and the Muses. The Muses were sometimes called Castalides because of their association with the spring (Castalia). 35 Sack: a sweet wine fortified with brandy (known today as sherry), [and] was most popular with the Elizabethans (What Did Shakespeare Drink?) 36 Penny-roomes: Could be a reference to seating in play-houses as admission prices ranged from a penny to stand in the yard by the stage to up to sixpence for the most expensive seats (A History of the Night at the Theatre). 37 Spanish leaf: In the 1600s, Spain was the mecca of tobacco production . In 1614, King Philip III establishes Seville as tobacco center of the world. . . . European cigarette use begins . . . [in Seville], as beggars patch together tobacco from used cigars, and roll them in paper (Borio). 38 Ribaldry: bawdiness, crudeness, obscenity, etc. (Ribaldry). 39 Propitious: favorably disposed (Propitious). 40 Latin for: End.

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