Page "Titus Andronicus" Paragraph 52

The first definite reference to the ballad, Titus Andronicus ' Complaint, is an entry in the Stationers ' Register by the printer John Danter on 6 February 1594, where the entry " A booke intitled a Noble Roman Historye of Tytus Andronicus " is immediately followed by " Entred also vnto finde that none in all that Authors Works ever receiv'd greater Alterations or Additions, the language not only Refin'd, but many Scenes entirely New: Besides most of the principal Characters heighten'd and the Plot much incresas'd.

" The play was a huge success and was revived in 1686, and published the following year.

It was revived again in 1704 and 1717.

The 1717 revival was especially successful, starring John Mills as Titus, Mrs. Giffard as Tamora, James Quin as Aaron and John Thurmond as Saturninus.

The play was revived again in 1718 and 1719 ( with John Bickerstaff as Aaron ) and 1721 ( with Thomas Walker in the role ).

Quin had left Drury Lane in 1718 and gone to Lincoln's Inn Fields, which was owned by John Rich.

Rich's actors had little Shakespearean experience, and Quin was soon advertised as the main attraction.

In 1718, the adaptation was presented twice at Lincoln, both times with Quin as Aaron.

In the 1720 – 1721 season, the play earned £ 81 with three performances.

Quin became synonymous with the role of Aaron, and in 1724 he chose the adaptation as the play to be performed at his benefit.