A set of accounts from James I’s Master of the Revels which record one of the first performances of Shakespeare’s Othello in the run-up to Christmas 1604 will be on show at The National Archives from 12 January-5 February.
Edward Tilney’s accounts book shows “The Moor of Venice” being performed in Banqueting House, Whitehall, on Hallamas (1 November) 1604, not long after the tragedy is thought to have been written.
The following Sunday the King’s Players performed one of Shakespeare’s comedies, the Merry Wives of Windsor and in the days immediately after Christmas they put on Measure for Measure, A Comedy of Errors, Love’s Labours Lost and Henry V.
Dr Neil Johnston, Head of Early Modern Records at the National Archives, said: “Though only two sets of Revels accounts survive at The National Archives for James I’s reign, they offer a rare glimpse into royal taste and extravagance.
“From Love’s Labour’s Lost to Measure for Measure, James I’s enthusiasm for theatre shines through. Most notably, the King enjoyed The Merchant of Venice so much he requested an encore performance before Lent.“
The Revels Office was part of the royal household and organised entertainment for festive occasions.
From 1560 the Master of the Revels received funds in advance and the following year had to account for his spending at the Exchequer, which is how Tilney’s “Revells Booke” for the period Nov 1604- Oct 1605 came to be among state papers held at The National Archives.
It shows he received £100 in 1604-1605 to pay actors, set and costume makers and others putting on masques and musical performances for the court. Tilney himself received a salary of £66 9s 10d.
Shakespeare, who was part of the theatre company, appears as “Shaxberd” in a column in the ledger headed “the Poets who mayd the plaies”.
