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London Theatre, 1660-1800
The following sources are recommended by a professor whose research specialty is the history of theatre in London.

Six Superlative Sources

· The London Stage, 1660-1800 (Southern Illinois University Press, 1960-68). 5 parts in 11 volumes. Ed. William Van Lennep, Emmett L. Avery, Arthur H. Scouten, George Winchester Stone, and Charles Beecher Hogan. This essential reference work documents every known performance in London during the period, including venues, castings, finances, and extensive contemporary accounts. The first two volumes, covering 1660-1717, are under revision by Robert D. Hume and Judith Milhous, and are scheduled for publication early in 2002.

· A Biographical Dictionary of Actors, Actresses, Musicians, Dancers, Managers, and other Stage Personnel in London, 1660-1800 (Southern Illinois University Press, 1973-1993). 16 volumes. By Philip H. Highfill, Kalman A. Burnim, and Edward A. Langhans. This key work provides extensive biographies and related historical information concerning all known personnel on the London stage during the period.

· The Development of English Drama in the late Seventeenth Century (Clarendon Press, 1976). By Robert D. Hume. The only detailed overview of the drama during 1660-1710, this superb commentary covers the more than 500 known new plays of the period.

· A History of English Drama, 1660-1900 (Cambridge University Press, 1923-1952). 6 volumes. By Allardyce Nicoll. Though unreliable in its critical evaluations, this set contains extensive information relating to the theatre and drama of the period. The handlists of plays are especially valuable.

· English Theatrical Literature, 1559-1900 (Society for Theatre Research, 1970). This massive bibliography, which updates Robert Lowe's work of 1888, includes extensive listings of printed material related to drama and theatre of the period (i.e., no manuscript listings). Many unusual items are identified in numerous categories.

· English Drama: Restoration and Eighteenth Century, 1660-1789 (New York: Longman, 1988). By Richard W. Bevis. Useful introduction to the varieties of drama and related topics.

Other Excellent Sources

· A Register of English Theatrical Documents, 1660-1737 (Southern Illinois University Press, 1991). Ed. Judith Milhous and Robert D. Hume. Annotated listings of every known manuscript and printed document related to English theatrical activities of the period.

· A Checklist of New Plays and Entertainments on the London Stage, 1700-1737 (Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 1993). By William J. Burling. A chronological listing of all new plays of the period, with extensive attribution, genre, publication and related data. A second volume covering 1738-1800 is in preparation.

· Annals of English Drama, 975-1700 (Routledge, 1989). 3rd ed. rev. by Sylvia Stoler Waggonheim. A chronological listing of all new plays of the period, with extensive publication and related data.

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