Dorset Garden Theatre

Dorset Garden Theatre, London. This theatre, known also as the Duke's, or Duke of York's, House, fronted the Thames, to the south of Salisbury Court. It was planned in c.1669 by Davenant for his company the Duke's Men, but he died before it was completed and his widow, with the actors Henry Harris and Betterton, took control. The building, by tradition attributed to Wren, was 57 ft. wide by 140 ft. long; it was uncomfortable and inconvenient, its long narrow auditorium giving a tunnel-like view of the stage. It opened in 1671 with Dryden's Sir Martin Mar-All, a tried favourite. The first new play was Crowne's King Charles VIII of France; opera, for which Dorset Garden later became famous, began with Davenant's adaptation of Macbeth (1673). An operatic version of The Tempest by Shadwell was given a spectacular production, as was his own play Psyche (both in 1674). Betterton's performances in The Libertine (1675) and The Virtuoso (1676), both by Shadwell, enhanced his already considerable reputation, while Mrs Barry made her reputation in Otway's The Orphan (1680) and Venice Preserv'd (1682).

Under Betterton's capable management the theatre flourished and from 1672 until 1674, while Drury Lane was out of action, it was London's only first-class playhouse. By 1682, however, both houses were in financial difficulties, and their companies amalgamated, choosing Drury Lane as their headquarters. Dorset Garden was deserted, except for occasional performances of opera and, towards the end, of acrobatic and wild animal shows. It was demolished in 1709.