Biography of John Lacy Actor 1615-1681

Pepy's Diary. 19 Mar 1666. Thence to Sir Robert Long's (age 66), absent. About much the same business, but have not the satisfaction we would have there neither. So Sir W. Coventry (age 38) parted, and my Lord and I to Mrs. Williams's, and there I saw her closett, where indeed a great many fine things there are, but the woman I hate. Here we dined, and Sir J. Minnes (age 67) come to us, and after dinner we walked to the King's play-house, all in dirt, they being altering of the stage to make it wider. But God knows when they will begin to act again; but my business here was to see the inside of the stage and all the tiring-rooms and machines; and, indeed, it was a sight worthy seeing. But to see their clothes, and the various sorts, and what a mixture of things there was; here a wooden-leg, there a ruff, here a hobbyhorse, there a crown, would make a man split himself to see with laughing; and particularly Lacy's (age 51) wardrobe, and Shotrell's. But then again, to think how fine they show on the stage by candle-light, and how poor things they are to look now too near hand, is not pleasant at all. The machines are fine, and the paintings very pretty.

Pepy's Diary. 09 Apr 1667. So home to dinner, and after dinner I took coach and to the King's house, and by and by comes after me my wife with W. Hewer (age 25) and his mother and Barker, and there we saw "The Tameing of a Shrew", which hath some very good pieces in it, but generally is but a mean play; and the best part, "Sawny"¹, done by Lacy (age 52), hath not half its life, by reason of the words, I suppose, not being understood, at least by me.

Note 1. This play was entitled "Sawney the Scot, or the Taming of a Shrew", and consisted of an alteration of Shakespeare's play by John Lacy (age 52). Although it had long been popular it was not printed until 1698. In the old "Taming of a Shrew" (1594), reprinted by Thomas Amyot for the Shakespeare Society in 1844, the hero's servant is named Sander, and this seems to have given the hint to Lacy (age 52), when altering Shakespeare's "Taming of the Shrew", to foist a 'Scotsman into the action. Sawney was one of Lacy's (age 52) favourite characters, and occupies a prominent position in Michael Wright's (age 49) picture at Hampton Court [Map]. Evelyn, on October 3rd, 1662, "visited Mr. Wright, a Scotsman, who had liv'd long at Rome, and was esteem'd a good painter", and he singles out as his best picture, "Lacy (age 52), the famous Roscius, or comedian, whom he has painted in three dresses, as a gallant, a Presbyterian minister, and a Scotch Highlander in his plaid". Langbaine and Aubrey both make the mistake of ascribing the third figure to Teague in "The Committee"; and in spite of Evelyn's clear statement, his editor in a note follows them in their blunder. Planche has reproduced the picture in his "History of Costume" (Vol. ii., p. 243).

Pepy's Diary. 15 Apr 1667. Lay long in bed, and by and by called up by Sir H. Cholmly (age 34), who tells me that my Lord Middleton (age 59) is for certain chosen Governor of Tangier; a man of moderate understanding, not covetous, but a soldier of fortune, and poor. Here comes Mr. Sanchy with an impertinent business to me of a ticket, which I put off. But by and by comes Dr. Childe (age 61) by appointment, and sat with me all the morning making me bases and inward parts to several songs that I desired of him, to my great content. Then dined, and then abroad by coach, and I set him down at Hatton Garden, and I to the King's house by chance, where a new play: so full as I never saw it; I forced to stand all the while close to the very door till I took cold, and many people went away for want of room. The King (age 36), and Queene (age 57), and Duke of York (age 33) and Duchess (age 30) there, and all the Court, and Sir W. Coventry (age 39). The play called "The Change of Crownes"; a play of Ned Howard's (age 42), the best that ever I saw at that house, being a great play and serious; only Lacy (age 52) did act the country-gentleman come up to Court, who do abuse the Court with all the imaginable wit and plainness about selling of places, and doing every thing for money. The play took very much.

Pepy's Diary. 16 Apr 1667. Up, and to the office, where sat all the morning, at noon home to dinner, and thence in haste to carry my wife to see the new play I saw yesterday, she not knowing it. But there, contrary to expectation, find "The Silent Woman". However, in; and there Knipp come into the pit. I took her by me, and here we met with Mrs. Horsley, the pretty woman-an acquaintance of Mercer's, whose house is burnt. Knipp tells me the King (age 36) was so angry at the liberty taken by Lacy's (age 52), part to abuse him to his face, that he commanded they should act no more, till Moone went and got leave for them to act again, but not this play. The King (age 36) mighty angry; and it was bitter indeed, but very true and witty. I never was more taken with a play than I am with this "Silent Woman", as old as it is, and as often as I have seen it. There is more wit in it than goes to ten new plays.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Apr 1667. At noon dined, and with my wife to the King's house, but there found the bill torn down and no play acted, and so being in the humour to see one, went to the Duke of York's house, and there saw "The Witts" again, which likes me better than it did the other day, having much wit in it. Here met with Mr. Rolt, who tells me the reason of no play to-day at the King's house. That Lacy (age 52) had been committed to the porter's lodge for his acting his part in the late new play, and that being thence released he come to the King's house, there met with Ned Howard (age 42), the poet of the play, who congratulated his release; upon which Lacy (age 52) cursed him as that it was the fault of his nonsensical play that was the cause of his ill usage. Mr. Howard (age 42) did give him some reply; to which Lacy (age 52) [answered] him, that he was more a fool than a poet; upon which Howard (age 42) did give him a blow on the face with his glove; on which Lacy (age 52), having a cane in his hand, did give him a blow over the pate. Here Rolt and others that discoursed of it in the pit this afternoon did wonder that Howard (age 42) did not run him through, he being too mean a fellow to fight with. But Howard did not do any thing but complain to the King (age 36) of it; so the whole house is silenced, and the gentry seem to rejoice much at it, the house being become too insolent. Here were many fine ladies this afternoon at this house as I have at any time seen, and so after the play home and there wrote to my father, and then to walk in the garden with my wife, resolving by the grace of God to see no more plays till Whitsuntide, I having now seen a play every day this week till I have neglected my business, and that I am ashamed of, being found so much absent; the Duke of York (age 33) and Sir W. Coventry (age 39) having been out of town at Portsmouth, Hampshire [Map] did the more embolden me thereto.

Pepy's Diary. 01 May 1667. Thence away to the King's playhouse, by agreement met Sir W. Pen (age 46), and saw "Love in a Maze" but a sorry play: only Lacy's (age 52) clowne's part, which he did most admirably indeed; and I am glad to find the rogue at liberty again. Here was but little, and that ordinary, company. We sat at the upper bench next the boxes; and I find it do pretty well, and have the advantage of seeing and hearing the great people, which may be pleasant when there is good store. Now was only Prince Rupert (age 47) and my Lord Lauderdale (age 50), and my Lord, the naming of whom puts me in mind of my seeing, at Sir Robert Viner's (age 36), two or three great silver flagons, made with inscriptions as gifts of the King (age 36) to such and such persons of quality as did stay in town the late great plague, for the keeping things in order in the town, which is a handsome thing. But here was neither Hart (age 41), Nell (age 17), nor Knipp; therefore, the play was not likely to please me.

Pepy's Diary. 13 Jul 1667. And yesterday Sir Thomas Crew (age 43) told me that Lacy (age 52) lies a-dying of the pox, and yet hath his whore by him, whom he will have to look on, he says, though he can do no more; nor would receive any ghostly advice from a Bishop, an old acquaintance of his, that went to see him. He says there is a strangeness between the King (age 37) and my Baroness Castlemayne (age 26), as I was told yesterday.

Pepy's Diary. 13 Aug 1667. Thence Sir W. Pen (age 46) and I to the King's house, and there saw "The Committee", which I went to with some prejudice, not liking it before, but I do now find it a very good play, and a great deal of good invention in it; but Lacy's (age 52) part is so well performed that it would set off anything. The play being done, we with great pleasure home, and there I to the office to finish my letters, and then home to my chamber to sing and pipe till my wife comes home from her washing, which was nine at night, and a dark and rainy night, that I was troubled at her staying out so long. But she come well home, and so to supper and to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 28 Apr 1668. Thence with Creed to Hercules Pillars by the Temple [Map] again, and there dined he and I all alone, and thence to the King's house, and there did see "Love in a Maze", wherein very good mirth of Lacy (age 53), the clown, and Wintersell, the country-knight, his master.

Pepy's Diary. 31 Jul 1668. Home and to dinner, and then my wife and Deb. and I, with Sir J. Minnes (age 69), to White Hall, she going hence to the New Exchange, and the Duke of York (age 34) not being in the way, Sir J. Minnes (age 69) and I to her and took them two to the King's house, to see the first day of Lacy's (age 53) "Monsieur Ragou", now new acted. The King (age 38) and Court all there, and mighty merry-a farce.

Pepy's Diary. 11 Jan 1669. Up, and with W. Hewer (age 27), my guard, to White Hall, where no Committee of Tangier met, so up and down the House talking with this and that man, and so home, calling at the New Exchange for a book or two to send to Mr. Shepley and thence home, and thence to the 'Change [Map], and there did a little business, and so walked home to dinner, and then abroad with my wife to the King's playhouse, and there saw "The Joviall Crew", but ill acted to what it was heretofore, in Clun's time, and when Lacy (age 54) could dance.

Pepy's Diary. 19 Jan 1669. Up, and at the office all the morning. At noon eat a mouthful, and so with my wife to Madam Turner's (age 46), and find her gone, but The. (age 17) staid for us; and so to the King's house, to see "Horace"; this the third day of its acting-a silly tragedy; but Lacy (age 54) hath made a farce of several dances-between each act, one: but his words are but silly, and invention not extraordinary, as to the dances; only some Dutchmen come out of the mouth and tail of a Hamburgh sow.