This was the first modern theatre in England with both a proscenium arch and moveable scenery. Samuel Pepys recounted a visit on 20 November 1660: Mr Shepley and I to the new play-house near Lincoln’s Inn Fields, which was formerly Gibbon’s Tennis Court. ... Here I saw for the first time one Moone [Michael Mohun, 1616?–84], who is said to be the best actor in the world, lately come over with the king; and, indeed, it is the finest play-house, I believe, that ever was in England. Thomas Betterton, one of the great actors of the age, made his debut here in Hamlet. Pepys was present again, noting: ‘Betterton did the Prince’s part beyond all imagining.’ Having sworn off plays in favour of hard work and advancement, Pepys was in the locale again in May 1667 and, seeing Charles II’s mistress there, was sorely tempted to break his vows: ‘... but Lord! how it went against my heart to go away from the very door of the Duke’s play-house, and my Lady Castlemayne’s coach, and many great coaches there, to see “The Siege of Rhodes”.’ By then under the management of Betterton, the Duke’s Company moved out of the theatre in 1674 and the building was once again used as tennis courts until Betterton led a return in 1695.
