Collier, The
Historical Records
Government Documents
Accounts of the Office of the Revels
The Paynters daughter showen at Hampton Court on St Stevens daie at night, enacted by th'erle of warwickes seruntes Toolie showen at Hampton Court on St Iohns daie at night enacted by the Histories & } Lord Howardes seruauntes. Invencions } vj The historie of the Collyer showen at Hampton Court on the Sundaie showen within } folowing enacted by th'erle of Leicesters men the tyme } viz The historie of Error showen at Hampton Court on Newyeres daie at aforesaid } night, enacted by the Children of Powles. The historye of Mutius Sceuola showen at Hampton Court on Twelf daie at night, enacted by the Children of windsore and the Chappell The hystorye of the Cenofalles showen at Hampton Court on Candlemas day at night, enacted by the lord Chamberleyn his men.
Theatrical Provenance
The performance at court is the only offering documented in records known to have survived. It stands to reason, though, that Leicester's men would include "The Collier" in its public repertory, both in London and the provinces.
Probable Genre(s)
Comedy? Harbage
History Wiggins, Catalogue #602
Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues
Scholars have not proposed a storyline for "The Collier." Wiggins, Catalogue #602 assigns several entries in Feuillerat's transcriptions from the office of the Revels that imply features of the staging, for example, "ffor Cariadge by water of a paynted cloth and two frames for the Earle of Leicesters to the Court 28: Decembris@ vs (p. 266). The hire of three horses "at xxd the daie apece" and payment for their feed ("for their meate at xijd daie and night a pece for those two daies" (p. 267).
References to the Play
None known.
Critical Commentary
Fleay, BCED makes no comment on the narrative or stage history of "The Collier" (2.#34, p. 289).
For What It's Worth
Works Cited