Richard Brome is charged by the owners and players of Salisbury Court with having failed to meet his obligations as a playwright. On 20 July 1635, Brome signed a three-year contract with the company, under the terms of which he was obligated to supply them with three plays a year, at a wage of 15s. a week, as well as the benefit of one day's profit, less the ordinary charges of the house. Brome was not to sell plays to any other house during this period. The contract was interrupted when the plague closed the playhouse, during which time Brome accepted a sum of £10 in lieu of his weekly salary; this agreement was signed 26 October 1636. At the end of the three-year term, the owners paid Brome his full salary for the whole period, less only £5. The complainants charge that at this point Brome was in arrears four plays; moreover, he had sold one of his plays to Christopher Beeston. This aside, Brome's contract was renewed for a term of seven years in August 1638, under which he agreed to supply the plays in arrears, and to produce three new plays a year for the company, this time at a weekly salary of 20s., nor was he to write for any other company. The contract further stipulated that half Brome's salary be held back should he fail to deliver. The contract also made provisions for the four plays owing. Brome accepted the terms of the contract and, having been paid his new salary, the complainants expected that he would fulfill the terms of his agreement. Instead, they charge, he has failed to deliver the plays in arrears and has since wholly given himself over to Beeston and the Phœnix. Notwithstanding the payment he has received from them, furthermore, he refuses to deliver the plays in arrears, or to make satisfaction for the salary tendered, at a loss to the complainants of at least £500.
| Name | Event Role(s) | Document Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Beeston, Christopher | company manager | |
| Beeston, William | company manager | |
| Brome, Richard | defendant | playwright |
| Heton, Richard | plaintiff | playhouse owner |
| Robinson, John | plaintiff | playhouse owner |
| Speed, Nathaniel | plaintiff | playhouse owner |
| Perkins, Richard | plaintiff | player |
| Turner, Anthony | plaintiff | player |
| Sherlocke, William | plaintiff | player |
| Young, John | plaintiff | player |
| Sumpner, John | plaintiff | player |
| May, Edward | plaintiff | player |
| Greville, Curtis | plaintiff | player |
| Wilbraham, William | plaintiff | player |
| Reade, Timothy | plaintiff | player |
| Cartwright, William, the younger | plaintiff | player |
| Cartwright, William, the elder | player | playhouse owner |
| Goade, Christopher | player | playhouse owner |
| Stutville, George | player | playhouse owner |
| Berry, Anthony | player | playhouse owner |