All's Well that Ends Well
Shakespeare's comedy was first printed in the
First Folio
(1623). Though it was not directly mentioned by Francis
Meres
in 1598, it has sometimes been identified with his
Love's Labour's Won
, but resemblances to
Measure for Measure
cause it most often to be dated 1602–3. It is based on a story from
Boccaccio's
Decameron
, probably in
Painter's
translation.
It has never been a favourite with audiences. Its first recorded performance is in 1741. Subsequent performances tended to emphasize the role of Parolles (or Paroles). J. P.
Kemble
tried, with little success, to restore the balance of the play at
Drury Lane
in 1794. A musical version was ...