← Table of contents
A Select Collection of Old English Plays, Volume 15

Note 80 — HISTORIA HISTRIONICA.

Reading edition

This is afterwards said to be a large round brick building. Mr Steevens supposes, from the extent of it, that all the actors resided within its precincts. It was pulled down about the time of the Restoration, soon after the appearance of the following advertisement in the Mercurius Politicus, Tuesday, Feb. 14, to Tuesday, Feb. 21, 1661. "The Fortune Playhouse, situate between Whitecross Street and Golding Square, in the parish of St Giles, Cripplegate, with the ground thereunto belonging, is to be let to be built upon; where twenty-three tenements may be erected, with gardens; and a street may be cut through for the better accommodation of the buildings." (See edition of Shakespeare, 1778, i. 267.) From the following passage of "The English Traveller," by Heywood, 1633, sig. I 3, we find there was a picture or statue of Fortune before the building.

"I'le rather stand here Like a statue in the forefront of your house For ever; like the picture of Dame Fortune Before the Fortune Play-house."

Explore with AITake your curiosity a little further.

Reading settings