 Called "The Cobler of Preston's Opera", the piece was anonymously written, although William Dunkin is thought by some scholars as a likely candidate.Rehearsals for the premier began in Smock Alley in October 1731, but sometime in November or December, the show was cancelled.It was instead performed by a group of children (including an eleven-year-old Peg Woffington) in January 1732 at Signora Violante's New Booth in Dame Street.