Henry Evans responds to the defendant's statement in his Chancery suit against Edward Kirkham. Evans contends that the few occasions on which the doors to the chambers were locked do not constitute a breach of contract. He notes that Kirkham's case against him at the court of King's Bench has been dismissed. Evans further complains that Kirkham and his associates prejudiced the late Lord Chamberlain against him, so that Evans had to leave the country, and therefore lost almost 300l in profit because he was not on hand to oversee his interests in London. Evans admits that the playhouse was closed down at the King's behest 'vpon some misdemeanors committed in or about the plaies there.' At this – the playhouse closed and no profits to be had – 'the def[endan]t and his Associates seemed to goe back.' Evans maintains that the plaintiff seemed to be willing to 'quit' the playhouse, that he assumed they all agreed that the original contract was void. Sometime around 26 July 1608, Kirkham had the costumes and properties of the Children of the Revels company appraised, and divided the profits accordingly: half to Evans, and the rest shared between Kirkham, Rastell, and Kendall. Evans then assumed the deal with Kirkham and his associates was done: the company had been disbanded, and some of the boys were in prison 'by his Ma[jes]ties commaund for the consideracions as aforesaid.' Evans thereupon entered into a new contract with the King's Men.
| Name | Event Role(s) | Document Role(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Stuart, James I | King | |
| Napper, ––– | court recorder | |
| Carey, George | lord chamberlain, late | |
| Fleming, Thomas | lord chief justice | |
| Evans, Henry | plaintiff |