Strange News Out of Poland

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William Haughton, "Mr Pett" (1600)


Historical Records

Henslowe's Diary


  F. 69 (Greg I.121)

Receaued of Mr Henshlowe the 17th of may 1600
[to] in behalfe of the Company to pay Will: Haulton
& mr Pett [fo] in full payment of a play
Called straunge newes out of poland ... vjli


F. 69v (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 ... iijli



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 for suits in the same month 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 suggested 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.


For What It's Worth


Keywords

William Haughton, Mr. Pett, Wonders


Works Cited


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