During its first century, the theatre was operated primarily as a playhouse, with the Letters Patent granted by Charles II giving Covent Garden and Theatre Royal, Drury Lane exclusive rights to present spoken drama in London. Despite the frequent interchangeability between the two companies, competition was intense, and the companies often presented the same plays at the same time. Rich introduced pantomime to the repertoire, performing himself, under the stage name "John Lun", as Harlequin. A tradition of seasonal pantomime continued at the modern theatre until 1939.