Strange News Out of Poland

William Haughton, 'M^r Pett' (1600)

Historical Records

Payments to Playwrights (Henslowe's Diary)

F. 69 (Greg I.121)

Receaued of M^r Henshlowe the 17^th of may 1600

[to] in behalfe of the Company to pay Will: Haulton

& m^r Pett [fo] in full payment of a play

Called straunge newes out of poland ... vj^li

Payments for Properties (Henslowe's Diary)

F. 69^v (Greg I.122)

dd vnto the littell tayller at the

apoyntment of Robart shaw the 25 of

maye 1600 for to macke sewtes for the

playe called strange newes owt of powland ... iij^li

Theatrical Provenance

The Fortune playhouse was under construction in May 1600 when the Admiral's Men paid William Haughton and Mr. Pett £6 in full for Strange News out of Poland. The expenditure of £3 in the same month for suits suggests that the play went immediately into production.

Probable Genre(s)

Foreign History (Harbage); Strange Wonders play (?)

Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues

No specific tract or news broadside has been connected to this play, but often printed items with the wording "strange news" tell of wondrous, incredible, or monstrous events.

References to the Play

None known.

Critical Commentary

Greg notes F. G. Fleay's suggestion that "Mr Pett" might be a designation of Chettle, a suggestion prompted by the absence of Mr Pett elsewhere in the diary; but Greg appears to consider that reading unlikely because, while Henslowe does use "Cett" for "Chettle," he does not use "Mr" (II. 213, Item #205). Greg does not conjecture on the subject matter of the play.

Works Cited

Site created and maintained by Roslyn L. Knutson, Professor Emerita, University of Arkansas at Little Rock; updated 14 November 2009.