Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time in London; T 3, by William Hayley, 1st acted at Chichester, late in May 1784. Text in his Plays . . . for a Private Theatre (T. Cadell, 1784). Prologue by George Colman, the elder (European Magazine, Aug. 1784, p. 165). Contrary to the usual custom on the 1st night of a new play, the parts on this occasion are assigned]. "Palmer had done with Lord Russel as he did with many other characters, that is, totally neglected to study the words of the part . . . Whenever he felt himself at a loss he dexterously introduced some passages from The Earl of Essex, which he contrived to fit into the cues received by Lord Russel." His brother, R. Palmer, who told this anecdote to Boaden, said that the audience suspected nothing amiss (Boaden, Kemble, I, 193)
Performances
Mainpiece Title: Lord Russel
Performance Comment: Russel-Palmer; Cavendish-Bannister Jun.; Charles the Second-Aickin; Duke of York-Williamson; Spencer-Davies; Lieutenant-Usher; Bedford-Bensley; Lady Margaret Russel-Miss Kemble; Lady Russel-Miss Woollery. New Prologue spoken by Palmer. [This was spoken, as here assigned, at all subsequent performances.] hathi.This was spoken, as here assigned, at all subsequent performances.] hathi.Afterpiece Title: The Agreeable Surprise