The London Stage Database team will be retiring the Legacy Search on May 1, 2025. Please take a moment before that date to reproduce any pre-2021 searches and export any resulting datasets you may wish to preserve for future use. We are making this change in order to free up computational resources for new features and data, currently in development with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Watch this space for more updates and, coming soon, new ways to keep up with the latest project developments!
SELECT * FROM london_stages WHERE MATCH('(@(authnameclean,perftitleclean,commentcclean,commentpclean) "Mr Mrs and Master Simson"/1) | (@(roleclean,performerclean) "Mr Mrs and Master Simson")') GROUP BY eventid ORDER BY weight() desc, eventdate asc OPTION field_weights=(perftitleclean=100, commentpclean=75, commentcclean=75, roleclean=100, performerclean=100, authnameclean=100), ranker=sph04

Result Options

Download:
JSON XML CSV

Search Filters

Event

Date Range
Start
End

Performance

?
Filter by Performance Type










Cast

?

Keyword

?
We found 23983 matches on Performance Comments, 7842 matches on Event Comments, 5447 matches on Performance Title, 27 matches on Author, and 0 matches on Roles/Actors.
Event Comment: Benefit Thurmond, the Dancing-Master. Written by Mr Dryden

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Comical Lovers; Or, Marriage A La Mode

Performance Comment: Palamede-Wilks; Rhodophil-Booth; Celadon-Cibber; Melantha-Mrs Bicknell; Doralice-Mrs Thurmond; Florimel-Mrs Booth.
Cast
Role: Melantha Actor: Mrs Bicknell
Role: Doralice Actor: Mrs Thurmond
Role: Florimel Actor: Mrs Booth.

Dance: Shaw, Thurmond Jr, Denoye, Mrs Younger, Mrs Bullock, Miss Tenoe

Event Comment: GGeneral Advertiser, 28 Sept.: We hear that Mr Lacy, Master of his Majesty's company of Comedians at D.L. has applied for leave to raise 200 men in defence of his Majesty's person and government, in which the whole company of players are willing to engage. [See 7 Oct.] On Saturday Night the Audience at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane were agreeably surpris'd by the Gentlemen belonging to that House performing the Anthem of God Save our Noble King. The Universal Applause it met with being encored with repeated Huzzas suffciently denoted in how just an abhorrence they hold the arbitrary schemes of our invidious enemies and detest the despotic attempts of Papal Power. [See also Daily Advertiser, 30 Sept. The newspapers at this time run a three phrase slogan in bold face type vertically in the margins: No Pretender. No Popery. No Slavery, accompanied by two more phrases staring boldly from the bottom margin: No Wooden Shoes! No Arbitrary Power!]

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Alchemist

Performance Comment: Abel Drugger-Collins; Subtle-Mills; Face-Macklin; Sir Epicure-Berry; Lovewit-Turbutt; Doll Common-Mrs Macklin; Ananias-Neale; Tribulation-Taswell; Surly-Havard; Dapper-Leigh; Kastril-Yates; Dame Pliant-Mrs Horsington.
Cast
Role: Doll Common Actor: Mrs Macklin
Role: Dame Pliant Actor: Mrs Horsington.

Song: I: Lowe; IV: Colin and Phebe-Lowe, Mrs Arne; God Save our Noble King by Arne-Mrs Cibber, Beard, Reinhold (Deutsch, Handel, p. 623)

Related Works
Related Work: The Genoese Pirate; or, Black-Beard Author(s): James Sanderson

Dance: II: Grand Serious Dance-; V: Grand Comic Dance, as17450926

Event Comment: Benefit for Booth. Mr Booth respectfully hopes his close Attention to the several Departments he occupies in the Theatre will be a sufficient Excuse for his not personally waiting on his Friends. [Public Advertiser, 22 Mar., notes that since Wild's accident [see 11 May] Booth had been acting as prompter.] Public Advertiser, 14 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Booth at his house in Great Queen-street, Lincoln's-inn-fields. 2nd piece [1st time; M. INT I, compiler unknown]: The Music compiled from the most eminent Masters

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Romeo And Juliet

Afterpiece Title: The Land of Enchantment

Performance Comment: A Select Scene, consisting of Music and Dancing, in which: a Hunting Song [Tantivy, the welkin resounds] by Mrs Martyr; the celebrated Vauxhall Echo Catch [They say there is an echo here (performers not listed)]; a Pastoral Dialogue [Alas! Poor Sue] by Johnstone and Mrs Martyr; Auld Robin Gray by Mrs Kennedy; Poor ThomasDay by Edwin, Brett, Davies. Abdiel, the Genius-Master Farley .
Cast
Role: , the Genius Actor: Master Farley

Afterpiece Title: Barataria

Dance: In 2nd piece, by Harris, Miss Besford, Mrs Goodwin, Mrs Ratchford, Miss Matthews

Song: As17841025, but omitted: names of singers

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Squire Of Alsatia

Song:

Dance:

Music: A new Entertainment for Flutes-the best Masters

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Busie Body

Performance Comment: Sir George-Elrington; Sir Jealous-Leigh; Sir Francis-Norris; Busie Body-Spillar; Charles-Cory; Miranda-Mrs Sapsford; Isabella-Mrs Kent; Patch-Mrs Spillar.
Cast
Role: Miranda Actor: Mrs Sapsford
Role: Isabella Actor: Mrs Kent
Role: Patch Actor: Mrs Spillar.

Afterpiece Title: The Walking Statue; or, The Devil in the Wine Cellar

Dance: Irish Trot-; Harlequin Dance-; French Peasant-; Dutch Skipper-; Flemming in Wooden Shoes-; Dance between a Miller his Wife and a Town Miss-; Ladder Dance-a famous Master; Night Scene between a Harlequin, a Cooper, his Wife, and others-

Event Comment: Benefit Penkethman. The Boxes and Pit 2s. 6d., the Boxes being laid open to the Pit. Note, No Subscribers' Tickets to pass this Day. To begin exactly at 5 of the Clock, by reason that the Gentlemen and Ladies that come from London may have time to return home before Night. Note, The Tide happens very luckily for Mr Penkethman's Friends in London: It Ebbs to Greenwich from 10 in the Morning till 6 at Night, flows from 6 in the Evening till 11, it being Moon-light

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Rover

Performance Comment: Ned Blunt-the famous true Comedian Mr Cave Underhill, to oblige Mr Penkethman's Friends; Rover-Powell; Belville-Husband; Frederick-Cory; Angelica-Mrs Kent; Helena-Mrs Baker; Florinda-Mrs Shepard; Moretta-Mrs Powell; With an Epilogue-Mr Penkethman on an Ass.
Cast
Role: Belville Actor: Husband
Role: Angelica Actor: Mrs Kent
Role: Helena Actor: Mrs Baker
Role: Florinda Actor: Mrs Shepard
Role: Moretta Actor: Mrs Powell

Entertainment: Young Gentlewoman, as17100817; Likewise a Vaulting the Managed Horse-famous Master who never appear'd on the Publick Stage

Dance: Ladder Dance-; French Peasant-; Wooden Shoe-; Harlequin Scaramouch Cooper and Wife-

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Old Batchelor

Performance Comment: Fondlewife-Cibber; Laetitia-Mrs Oldfield; Bellmour-Wilks; Sharper-Mills; Heartwell-Harper; Vainlove-Watson; Sir Joseph-Miller; Bluff-Johnson; Setter-Oates; Belinda-Mrs Horton; Araminta-Mrs Butler; Sylvia-Mrs Cibber; Lucy-Mrs Mills.
Cast
Role: Laetitia Actor: Mrs Oldfield
Role: Belinda Actor: Mrs Horton
Role: Araminta Actor: Mrs Butler
Role: Sylvia Actor: Mrs Cibber
Role: Lucy Actor: Mrs Mills.

Afterpiece Title: The Contrivances

Dance: SSpanish Dance-Lally, Essex, others; Muzette-Master Lally, Miss Robinson

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Old Batchelor

Cast
Role: Laetitia Actor: Mrs Oldfield
Role: Belinda Actor: Mrs Horton
Role: Araminta Actor: Mrs Butler
Role: Sylvia Actor: Mrs Cibber
Role: Lucy Actor: Mrs Mills.

Music: Between the Acts: Select Pieces-

Dance: Roger, Essex, Lally, Rainton, Houghton, Master Lally, Miss Robinson, Miss Brett

Event Comment: Benefit Aston and a Gentleman under Misfortune. Afterpiece: A new Pastoral. Written by Mr Aston

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Hamlet, Prince Of Denmark

Performance Comment: Hamlet-Aston; King-Paget; Polonius-Hippisley; Laertes-Ridout; Ostrick-Clarke; Horatio-Boaman; Rosencraus-Houghton; Guildenstern-W. Hallam; Prologue-James; Francisco-Bencraft; Queen-Mrs Forrester; Ophelia-Miss Male; Ghost-Stephens; Gravediggers-Bullock Sr, Mullart .
Cast
Role: Queen Actor: Mrs Forrester

Afterpiece Title: Cleora; or, The Amorous Old Shepherdess

Dance: Hornpipe by Ferguson. Tambourine by Miss Rogers

Song: Cuckoo Solo by Master Oates. Mock Italian Song by E. Roberts

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Love For Love

Performance Comment: As17380413 but Angelica-Mrs Pritchard; Tattle-Macklin; Sir Sampson-Marten, the first time of his appearance on that stage; Jeremy-Woodward; Buckram-Cole.
Cast
Role: Angelica Actor: Mrs Pritchard
Role: Nurse Actor: Mrs Marshall.
Role: Scandal Actor: Mills
Role: Trapland Actor: Griffin
Role: Mrs Foresight Actor: Mrs Pritchard
Role: Mrs Frail Actor: Mrs Butler
Role: Prue Actor: Mrs Clive.

Afterpiece Title: The King and the Miller of Mansfield

Cast
Role: Peggy Actor: Mrs Pritchard.

Dance: I: A new dance-Miss Wright, Miss Morrison; II: Punch-Master Ferg; III: Drunken Peasant-Phillips; V: A new Sailor's Dance-Phillips

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Alter'd from Beaumont and Fletcher by Sir John Vanbrugh and Mr Dryden

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Pilgrim

Performance Comment: Pedro-Milward; Alphonso-Johnson; Roderigo-Quin; Curio-Cross; Seberto-Ridout; Pilgrim-Woodburn; Jacques-Turbutt; Lopez-Shepard; Mad Englishman-Winstone; Mad Scholar-Havard; Mad Priest-Raftor; Mad Taylor-Woodward; Mad Welchman-Macklin; Master of sadhouse-Furnival; Keeper-Marshall; Alinda-Mrs Mills; Juletta-Mrs Pritchard; In which will be introduced the Original Mad Dialogue set to Musick by Mr H. Purcell-Beard, Mrs Clive.
Cast
Role: Master of sadhouse Actor: Furnival
Role: Alinda Actor: Mrs Mills
Role: Juletta Actor: Mrs Pritchard
Role: Purcell Actor: Beard, Mrs Clive.

Afterpiece Title: Colombine Courtezan

Cast
Role: Colombine Actor: Mrs Clive.

Dance: II: Flanderkins-Master Ferg, Miss Wright; III: Drunken Peasant-Philips; IV: Grand Dance-Mlle Roland

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Alter'd from Beaumont and Fletcher by Sir John Vanbrugh and Mr Dryden

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Pilgrim

Performance Comment: Pedro-Milward; Roderigo-Quin; Alphonso-Johnson; Alinda-Mrs Mills; Juletta-Mrs Pritchard; Mad Scholar-Havard; Mad Englishman-Winstone; Mad Welshman-Reed; Mad Taylor-Woodward; Mad Priest-Raftor; Old Pilgrim-Woodburn; Drunken Servant-Ray; Stuttering Servant-Yates; Lopez-Shepard; Jacques-Turbutt; Curio-Cashell; Seberto-Ridout; Master of Madhouse-Taswell; Keeper-Marshall.
Cast
Role: Alinda Actor: Mrs Mills
Role: Juletta Actor: Mrs Pritchard
Role: Master of Madhouse Actor: Taswell

Afterpiece Title: Robin Goodfellow

Dance: I: Drunken Peasant-Master Ferg; II: L'Allamande-Mlle Chateauneuf

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Orphan

Performance Comment: Acasto-Paget; Castalio-Giffard; Polydore-Walker; Chamont-Marshall; Serina-Mrs Dunstall; Monimia-Mrs Giffard.
Cast
Role: Serina Actor: Mrs Dunstall
Role: Monimia Actor: Mrs Giffard.

Afterpiece Title: The Chymical Counterfeits

Cast
Role: Colombine Actor: Mrs Woodward

Dance: III: New dance-Master Matthews; IV: Comic Dance-Davenport

Event Comment: The Late Wells, the bottom of Lemon St., Goodman's Fields. A Concert of Vocal and Instrumental Musick. Divided into two Parts. The Concert to conclude with the Chorus of Long Live the King. Boxes 2s. 6d. Pit or First Gallery 1s. 6d. Upper Gallery 1s. Between the two Parts of the Concert will be exhibited Gratis, and not acted these 50 years, an Historical Play...written by the celebrated Mr Lee. And founded on Facts which happened in France, in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. Shewing the unparalleled Dissimulations, Imprecations, and Perjuries of Charles the 9th of France, the Queen Mother, and Cardinal Lorrain, to draw the Hugonot Party into their snares, by which means the Death of the Queen Navarre was effected by Poison, and most of the Protestant Princes of the Blood destroyed. Chastillon, the famous Admiral of France, with his Wife, Children, Commanders, and Followers, all put to Death, with the King's Consent, bx the cruel and Revengeful Duke of Guise, and his Adherents. After which the Massacre becoming general over the Kingdom, near near 100,000 Protestants were destroyed in the most barbarous and inhuman manner. The Concert will begin every Evening Positively at Six of the Clock, and the Whole be concluded by Half an Hour after Nine, the Wdlls being appointed (after the Entertainment is over) for the Main Guard of the Militia of the Tower Hamlets

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Massacre At Paris

Performance Comment: Charles IX-Cushing; Chastellion-Furnival; Cardinal-L. Hallam; Duke of Guise-Paget; Navarre-Shepherd; Conde-Lee; Anjou-Blakey; Alberto-Julian; Rochfacault-Burt; Langoiran-Blogg; Columbiere-Barlow; Chavagnes-Dove; Queen Mother-Mrs Bambridge; Antramont-Mrs Hallam; Queen of Navarre-Mrs Williamson; Margaret-Gentlewoman; the two last never appear'd on the stage before. With the Prologue-; Epilogue- written at the late happy Revolution.

Afterpiece Title: The Devil to Pay

Performance Comment: Nell-Mrs Phillips never here before; Jobson-Dove; Lady Loverule-Mrs Bambridge; Sir John-Blogg.

Song: Blogg, Barlow, Waters, Mrs Phillips, Mrs Williamson, Mrs Cushing

Related Works
Related Work: Fire and Water! Author(s): Miles Peter Andrews

Dance: the two Mhe two Masters, Miss Granier

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Hamlet, Prince Of Denmark

Performance Comment: See17451228, but Hamlet-Banberry first time in that character; Horatio-Cushing; Gravediggers-Morgan, Dove; Ophelia-Mrs Phillips.
Cast
Role: Ophelia Actor: Mrs Phillips.

Afterpiece Title: Captain O'Blunder; or, the Brave Irishman

Dance: The two Masters Granier, Miss Granier; Wooden Shoe Dance, Hornpipe-Banberry

Event Comment: Benefit for Delane. To Mr H-. Sir: A Number of your Friends have wished to see performed the Oratorio of Joshua, which, if you would direct to be performed this season, would be much gratified, and in particular, Your Humble Servant, A Virtuoso (General Advertiser)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Jane Shore

Performance Comment: As17490207, but Belmour-Gibson; Ratcliff-Bencraft; Catesby-Anderson.
Cast
Role: Catesby Actor: Anderson.
Role: Alicia Actor: Mrs Ward.
Role: Jane Shore Actor: Mrs Woffington.

Afterpiece Title: The Devil to Pay

Dance: Comic Dancing-Master J. and Miss Granier

Performance Comment: and Miss Granier.
Event Comment: Last Thursday morning, Mr Harrington, Prompter to the Theatre Royal, being delerious and in a high fever, in the absence of his Nurse-keeper, threw himself out of his lodging window, and was killed by the fall. [See A Full and true Account of the woeful and wonderftl apparition of Hurloe Harrington, late prompter to the Theatre Royal in Dublin (London, 1750).] Receipts: #140 (Cross)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The London Merchant

Cast
Role: Lucy Actor: Mrs Green
Role: Millwood Actor: Mrs Pritchard
Role: In Act I singing Actor: Master Mattocks.

Afterpiece Title: The Anatomist

Cast
Role: Beatrice Actor: Mrs Bennet

Song: IV: Master Mattocks

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Falkner. Charges #60. Deficit to Miss Falkner #15 3s., covered by #62 10s. from tickets. Afterpiece: A musical Entertainment (Not acted these 10 years) set to music by Mr Arne. [See 5 and 25 April.] Receipts: #44 17s

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Double Dealer

Afterpiece Title: Judgment of Paris

Performance Comment: As17500405 but Paris-Lowe; Mercury-Wilder; Pallas-Miss Young; Juno-Mrs Dunstall; Venus-Miss Falkner.

Song: I: A New Scots Song-Miss Falkner; set-Master Arne; II: O Sleep, Lucinge-; III: Go Rose-

Dance: IV: Tambourine-Jardin

Event Comment: At Mr Phillips's Booth, Bowling Green, Southwark. A concert, etc. An Extraordinary Band of Musick. Pit 1s, 6d., Gallery 1s., Upper Gallery 6d. To begin each day at 12 o'clock noon. Mainpiece: An excellent Droll. [Possibly made from Dryden's Spanish Fryar.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: No Fool Like The Old One; Or, The Lucky Discovery

Performance Comment: Col. Sorenzo-Brown; Alphonso-Child; Pedro-Lovemore; Dominick-Platt; Gomez-Palmer; Elvira-Mrs Williamson.
Cast
Role: Elvira Actor: Mrs Williamson.

Afterpiece Title: Harlequin Statue, with Escape into Quart Bottle

Performance Comment: Harlequin-Phillips; Colombine-Mrs Brown.
Cast
Role: Colombine Actor: Mrs Brown.

Song: Phillips, Master Phillips, Miss Featherstone

Dance: Phillips, Master Phillips, Miss Featherstone

Event Comment: A Concert, etc. At the Desire of several Gentlemen and Ladies. For One Night Only. For the Benefit of Mr Phillips. At the New Playhouse, Bowling Green, Southwark. Boxes 2s. 6d. Pit 1s. 6d. Gallery 1s. Upper Gallery 6d. Sylvius went to see Hamlet but was distracted by a beautiful woman nearby (Daily Advertiser and Literary Gazette, 20 Sept.)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Hamlet, Prince Of Denmark

Afterpiece Title: The Lying Valet

Dance: Phillips

Song: Platt, Master Phillips

Event Comment: A little hissing during the farce, & at the End ye Audience call'd, no more &c.--& insisted upon another farce being given out wch Mr Blakes did--farewell Taste (Cross). The Book of the Entertainment will be sold in the theatre, and at R. Francklin's in Russel Street, Covent Garden (playbill). [The publication of Taste was dedicated to Francis Delaval, and includes in prefatory remarks Foote's distinction between Comedy and Farce: As the follies and absurdities of men are the sole objects of Comedy, so the powers of Imagination (Plot and Incident expected) are in this kind of writing greatly restrainded. No unnatural assemblages, no creatures of the fancy can procure the protection of the Comic Muse; men and things must appear as they are. To Farce greater liberties are permitted. I look upon Farce to hold the same rank in drama that Burlesque does in other poetry. It is employed either in debasing lofty subjects, or in raising humble ones.'] Receipts: #180 (Cross)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Suspicious Husband

Cast
Role: Strictland Actor: Berry
Role: Jacintha Actor: Mrs Willoughby
Role: Mrs Strictland Actor: Mrs Ward
Role: Clarinda Actor: Mrs Pritchard
Role: Milliner Actor: Mrs Toogood
Role: Landlady Actor: Mrs Yates

Afterpiece Title: Taste

Cast
Role: Boy Actor: Master Cross

Song: III: Haughty Strephon by Dr Arne-Master Vernon

Event Comment: Benefit for Mr Leviez. No Building on stage. Tickets at his, the lowest House on the Right-Hand in Beaufort Buildings in the Strand; and at Stage Door of Theatre. Receipts: #125 (Cross)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Comical Lovers

Afterpiece Title: A Duke and no Duke

Cast
Role: Isabella Actor: Mrs Bennet.

Dance: II: A Peasant Dance-Master Piettro; III: A Comic Dance-Sg Piettro, Janeton Auretti; IV: a Hornpipe-the Little Swiss; V: L'Entree de Flore, as17511015; a Peasant Dance, as17511015

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Stratagem

Performance Comment: As17520109, but Mrs Sullen-Mrs Pritchard; Sullen-Burton; Gipsie-Mrs Simson.
Cast
Role: Mrs Sullen Actor: Mrs Pritchard
Role: Gipsie Actor: Mrs Simson.
Role: Arpasia Actor: Mrs Pritchard
Role: Hal Actor: Simson

Afterpiece Title: Lethe

Dance: IV: A Hornpipe-the Little Swiss

Song: I: Master Vernon

Event Comment: Benefit for Capitani, now in the King's Bench, singer in the Opera for 20 years past. Boxes 10s. 6d. Pit 5s. Gallery 2s. 6d. To begin at 7 p.m. [A long note hn the Public Advertiser about the nature of Capitani's distresses--death of wife after an expensive illness loss of considerable sums in trade, now in debtor's prison. The Public Advertiser this day Published the following Sonnet V, seemingly a new sort of puff' for Foote]: @To Mr F-@While party rage, my F., distracts the state@And mutual lies contending parties raise,@As int'rest leads, or Pitt or Bute to praise,@Let vet'ran Tories with staunch Whigs debate.@With gen'rous Punch our spirits we'll dilate,@Laugh at those loud-tongued politicians' frays,@And to good Brookman's fame attune our lays,@Whose genial bowl all cares can dissipate.@Safely to Harrogate let Bute retire,@His gout at Hayes lett Pitt in quiet nurse,@And Wilkes at either Secretary rail:@These party feuds unsocial rage inspire,@Destroy all mirth, and all good humour curse,@But shall not o'er our joyous souls prevail.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Concert

Dance: Miss Capitani, Master Rogers

Event Comment: Benefit for Wrighten, prompter. [In mainpiece the playbill retains Kemble as Orlando, but "I had fallen from the Ladder in my Book-room, and bruised my Leg. Mr Barrymore acted Orlando for me" (Kemble Mem.).] Oracle, 29 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Wrighten, next the Stage-Door. Receipts: #328 18s. (63.0.0; 17.3.6; 2.9.6; tickets: 246.5.0) (charge: #116 16s. 10d.)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: As You Like It

Performance Comment: As17901027, but Orlando-Barrymore; Touchstone-Bannister Jun.; Corin-Waldron; Sylvius-Bland; William-Burton; Charles-Phillimore.
Cast
Role: Orlando Actor: Barrymore
Role: Sylvius Actor: Bland
Role: Rosalind Actor: Mrs Jordan
Role: Celia Actor: Mrs Kemble
Role: Audrey Actor: Mrs Williames.

Afterpiece Title: The Citizen

Dance: End I: The Russian Minuet-Master D'Egville, Miss DeCamp

Song: As17901027