In the preface to the published version Bullock suggested that he had begun writing the play just four days before its premiere.

It first appeared at the Lincoln's Inn Fields Theatre as the afterpiece to a revival of The Confederacy by John Vanbrugh.

[3] On 3 February 1716 a separate version premiered at the rival Drury Lane Theatre, managed by Robert Wilks.

A two act farcical afterpiece written by Charles Johnson it was more overtly political than Bullock's play and ultimately less successful.

Johnson's piece is likely to have been written first, with Bullock hearing of its production and deciding to steal a march to get his own version performed first.