Introduction
Frances Boothby is a shadowy figure whose sole claim to fame is that she was apparently the first woman to write a play and have it performed on the professional London stage. Her tragicomedy Marcelia, or The Treacherous Friend was performed by the King's company in 1669 and, though unsuccessful, was published a year later. No manuscripts of this play are known, but a manuscript item by her relating to it was apparently once among the Tixall papers.
Peter Beal