Note 306 — No. 99. [Steele.

The thirteen years' monopoly at Drury Lane came to an end in 1695, when Betterton opened a new theatre at Lincoln's Inn Fields. In 1705, Betterton's company moved to the new theatre in the Haymarket; but the drama did not succeed at Vanbrugh's house, and in 1706 the Haymarket was let to M'Swiney. In 1708, through the instrumentality of Colonel Brett, the actors were again reunited at Drury Lane, and the Haymarket Theatre was devoted to Italian operas. But Rich soon quarrelled with his company, some of whom entered into negotiations with M'Swiney. In June 1709, Drury Lane Theatre was closed by an order from the Lord Chamberlain, and after certain structural alterations at the Haymarket, plays were acted successfully at that house. For a time there was thus again only one theatre open, until William Collier, M. P., a lawyer, got for himself the licence refused to Rich, and entered into forcible possession.