SELECT * FROM london_stages WHERE MATCH('(@(authnameclean,authname,perftitleclean,commentcclean,commentpclean) "Mr Ben Johnson"/1) | (@(roleclean,performerclean) "Mr Ben Johnson")') 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

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We found 4593 matches on Event Comments, 2635 matches on Performance Comments, 975 matches on Author, 542 matches on Performance Title, and 0 matches on Roles/Actors.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Hamlet

Performance Comment: Hamlet-Smith; King-Jefferson; Ghost-Bransby; Horatio-Packer; Polonius-Baddeley; Laertes-Aickin; Rosencranz-Davies; Guildenstern-Fawcett; Marcellus-Wrighten; Player King-Usher; Lucianus-Parsons; Messenger-Wright; Bernardo-Griffiths; Francisco-Norris; Queen-Mrs Hopkins; Player Queen-Mrs Johnson; Ophelia-Mrs Smith.
Cast
Role: Player Queen Actor: Mrs Johnson

Afterpiece Title: The Theatrical Candidates

Afterpiece Title: Bon Ton

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs West. Tickets to be had of West, at the Ship, near the Seven Houses, Rotherhithe. Mainpiece: In Act II the triumphal entry of Alexander into Babylonv; In Act IV the grand Banquet where Alexander kills his faithful soldier, old Clytus. [The playbill contains a lengthy synopsis of the plot of the mainpiece; it concludes by noting that "the many flowery passages with which this tragedy abounds does honour to the pen of its author, N. Lee, Esqr., and we may justly say with Mr Pope, 'Such plays alone shou'd please a British ear, as Cato's self had not disdain'd to hear.'"]

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Alexander The Great Or The Rival Queens

Performance Comment: Alexander-West; Hephestion-Russell; Lysimachus-Smith; Cassander-Comerford; Polyperchon-Jones; Perdiccas-Johnson; Thessalus-Dancer; Aristander-Thomas; Eumenes-Brown; Clytus-Lewis; Roxana-Mrs Wilks; Sysigambis-Mrs Ross; Parisatis-Miss Taylor; Satira-A Gentlewoman [unidentified].unidentified].
Cast
Role: Perdiccas Actor: Johnson

Afterpiece Title: Marriage a la Mode i

Performance Comment: e. Three Weeks after Marriage]; or, What we must all come to. Sir Charles Racket-West; Drugget-Lewis; Lovelace-Smith; Woodley-Johnson; Mrs Drugget-Mrs Ross; Nancy-Miss Taylor; Dimity-Mrs Wilks; Lady Racket-Mrs West (1st appearance in that character).
Cast
Role: Woodley Actor: Johnson

Song: II: the grand chorus, See the conquering Hero comes-; Between Acts: Singing, as17760925

Entertainment: Monologue.The Painter's Art-[from Taste, by Samuel Foote]; Lady Pentweazle-Master Russell

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Merchant Of Venice

Performance Comment: Shylock-Macklin; Antonio-Delane; Bassanio-Havard; Gratiano-Mills; Launcelot-Neale; Morochius-Sparks; Lorenzo (with proper songs)-Lowe; Portia-Mrs Clive; Nerissa-Mrs Bennet; Jessica-Mrs Ridout; Duke-Winstone; Solanio-Berry; Salarino-Blakes; Gobbo-Ray; Tubal-Taswell; Balthasar-Simpson; Prologue [written by Samuel Johnson]-Garrick; Epilogue-Mrs Woffington [Rosenbach copy of Prologue and Epilogue. Spoken at the opening of the Theatre in Drury Lane, 1747.]Rosenbach copy of Prologue and Epilogue. Spoken at the opening of the Theatre in Drury Lane, 1747.]
Cast
Role: Nerissa Actor: Mrs Bennet
Event Comment: Benefit for Johnson (housekeeper)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Rule A Wife And Have A Wife

Performance Comment: Leon-Powell; Copper Capt.-Palmer; Estifania-Mrs Clive; Old Woman-Mr Yates; Maid-Vaughan; Duke-Havard; Cacafoggo-Love; Margaritta-Mrs Hopkins; Juan-Packer; Sancho-Lee; Alonzo-Ackman; Altea-Mrs Bennet.
Cast
Role: Altea Actor: Mrs Bennet.

Afterpiece Title: The Witches

Dance: II: Double Hornpipe-Walker, Miss Tetley

Event Comment: Benefit for Townsend and Mrs Johnson. 3rd piece [1st time in London; F 1, by William Dunlap]: Performed with distinguished Applause at the John St.? Theatre, New York [on 9 Jan. 1797]; compressed into one act [from two], and adapted for the English Stage by a Gentleman [perhaps the author]. "Commencing at half past eleven o'clock, and after a tiresome variety of other entertainments, the audience thought they had had enough for their money, and demanded the fall of the curtain before the conclusion of [Tell Truth and Shame the Devil]" (Monthly Mirror, June 1799, p. 367). Morning Chronicle, 8 May: Tickets to be had of Townsend, No. 9, Leicester-place. [Mrs Johnson not listed.] Receipts: #442 17s. 6d. (108.1.0; 1.11.0; tickets: 333.5.6, of which Townsend sold 218.2.0; Mrs Johnson 115.3.6)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Iron Chest

Performance Comment: As17990423, but Fitzharding-Johnson (from the Park? Theatre, New York; 1st appearance on this stage); Samson (1st time)-Townsend; Helen (for that night only)-Mrs Johnson; Chorus of Robbers-_; Chorus of Servants-_.
Cast
Role: Fitzharding Actor: Johnson
Role: Helen Actor: Mrs Johnson

Afterpiece Title: Catherine and Petruchio

Performance Comment: As17990316but Catherine (for that night only)-Mrs Johnson.

Afterpiece Title: Tell Truth and Shame the Devil

Performance Comment: Principal Characters-H. Johnston, Murray, Johnson, Mrs Litchfield. [Probable cast: Tom Holton-H. Johnston; +Whitely-Murray; +Semblance-Johnson (see George C. D. Odell, Annals of the New York Stage, 1927, I, 429); Susan-Mrs Litchfield. Text $T. and J. Swords, New York, 1797) lists the American cast.]

Song: End: Mad Tom-Betts (1st appearance on the stage); Young William-Incledon; The Golden Days-Munden; The Tight Little Island-Townsend; The Wind blew fresh and fair-Townsend

Music: End I 1st piece: Concerto Clarionet-Orsato (of the Theatre Royal Venice; 1st appearance in this Metropolis); a duetto solo by means of the Pression and Repercussion of the Air-Orsato This his curious Discovery has received the greatest Applause in most of the Courts

Event Comment: Benefit for Shuter. Mainpiece: Not acted in 10 years. Receipts: #194 10s. in cash, plus #147 18s. from tickets (Boxes 378; Pit 356). Charges #64 5s. Advanced to Mrs Ward #30. [Shuter called for imaginative participation of his audience in his Medley Skit (see Larpent MS 171): @"Suppose my dress alter'd with each exhibition....@If I speak like a Dutchman, or Brogue it like Paddy,@Or mimic Monsieur, or lisp like a Lady"@ Parts for The English Sailors in America (by G. A. Steevens) are listed in Larpent MS 172: Indian King , English Captain , Irishman , Sailor Ned and Sailor Ben , a Black Messenger , Guards , White Savage Lady , Black Woman , Image .

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Royal Merchant Or The Beggars Bush

Dance: TThe Dutch Skipper-Poitier

Entertainment: E+Extravaganza. Shuter will entertain the audience in an Oratorical, Poetical, Operatical Method (never befoer attempted) with a Comic Extravaganza call'd A Day of Taste; or, London Raree Show-Shuter being a Ranelagh Breakfast, a Coffee House Conversation, An Auction at Noon, and the Choice Spirits at Night; conclude with: The Cries of London-. *uó‘cg To which will (By Desire) be added (for this Night only) Mr Shuter's Droll that was perform'd at Bartholomew Fair, call'd The English Sailors in America. Mackfinnen (the Irish Volunteer)-Shuter; Princess-Miss Dawson, her first Time of speaking on the stage

Event Comment: Benefit Johnson. The Diary of Mary Countess Cowper, pp. 103-4; She [Mrs Clayton] and Lady W. Powlett, and I went to the Play together, for the Benefit of Johnson, who is the best Comedian this Day upon the Stage, and I believe as true and good a Player as ever was in any Age, for the Parts that he plays

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Comical Revenge Or Love In A Tub

Performance Comment: Palmer-Johnson who never perform'd it before.

Song: As17151028

Dance: Dupre, Boval, Dupre Jr, Prince, Birkhead, Mrs Santlow, Mrs Bicknell; particularly The Original Dance of Linkmen-

Event Comment: By Authority. Benefit for Johnson

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Merchant Of Venice

Performance Comment: Shylock, in the Jewish Dialect-Johnson; Antonio-Lewis; Gratiano-Russell; Lorenzo (with a song)-Bradney; Duke-Saul; Launcelot-Jacobs; Gobbo-Lucas; Tubal-Errington; Bassanio-West; Nerissa-Mrs Simmons; Jessica (with a Song)-Mrs Moore; Portia-a Young Lady; first appearance on the English stage. An Occasional Epilogue written for and spoken-Johnson.

Afterpiece Title: The Snuff Box or A Trip to Bath

Performance Comment: Parts-Johnson, West, Bradney, Lewis, Herriman, Savigny, Mrs Russell, Mrs Moore (with song in character composed by Hook), a Young Lady; Prologue-West.
Event Comment: By authority [of the Lord Chamberlain]. At the Desire of the most noble Order of Bucks. Benefit for West and Johnson. Tickets to be had of West at the Black Lion, Russel-street; of Johnson at the Golden-cross, Charing-cross. Tickets delivered by Comerford will be receiv'd. Doors to be opened at 5:00. To be begin exactly at 6:30. [Mrs West was from the China Hall, Rotherhithe. Author of Prologue unknown.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: King Henry Iv With The Humours Of Sir John Falstaff

Performance Comment: Falstaff-Johnson; King Henry-A Gentleman (1st appearance on any stage [unidentified]); Prince of Wales-Frodsham; Worcester-Comerford; Northumberland-Kenny; Hotspur-West (1st appearance in that character); Hostess Quickly-Mrs Fowler; Lady Percy-Mrs West (1st appearance in Town); Occasional Prologue, written by a gentleman eminent in the Republic of Letters,-West.
Cast
Role: Falstaff Actor: Johnson

Afterpiece Title: The Deuce is in Him

Entertainment: End: Imitations-Gentleman [unidentified]

Event Comment: Tomorrow will be publish'd, at 1s. 6d. Irene. A Tragedy, acted at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane, by Mr Samuel Johnson, Printed for R. Dodsley in Pall Mall, and sold by M. Cooper in Paternoster Row. [In 1749 was published an Essay on Tragedy, with a Critical Examen of Mahomet and Irene (T. P. Barton@Collection, Boston Public Library).

Performances

Mainpiece Title: None

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. The date of the premiere is not known. Although the play was not in print until 1671, it was acted on 9 May 1670 and again at Dover on 19 or 20 May 1670. Downes (p. 29) placed the comedy among the plays of 1669, but the presence of Mrs Johnson (who, according to Downes, p. 31, did not join the company until 1670) and the performances in May 1670 suggest that the comedy was first given in the spring of 1670. Downes (pp. 29-30): The Play being Singularly well Acted, it took 12 Days together

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Sir Salomon Or The Cautious Coxcomb

Performance Comment: Edition of 1671: Prologue. No actors' names. Epilogue. Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, pp. 29-30): Sir Solomon-Betterton; Peregrine Woodland-Harris; Single-Smith; Wary-Sandford; Timothy-Underhill; Betty-Mrs Johnson; Julia-Mrs Betterton.
Cast
Role: Betty Actor: Mrs Johnson
Event Comment: The Duke's Company. This performance is on the L. C. list, 5@141, p. 2. See also Nicoll, Restoration Drama, p. 347. There is no certainty that this is the premiere, but the fact that the play was given again on 4 Dec. 1672 suggests that this was the first performance and that it was also acted on Tuesday 3 Dec. 1672. A song, How pleasant is mutual love, set by John Bannister for this play, is in Choice Songs and Ayres, First Book, 1673. See Cibber, Apology, ed. Lowe, I, 155, for Underhill's acting of Justice Clodpate. Downes (p. 33): This Play in general being Admirably Acted, produc'd great Profit to the Company. Note, Mrs Johnson in this Comedy, Dancing a Jigg so Charming well, Loves power in a little time after Coerc'd her to Dance more Charming, else where

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Epsom Wells

Performance Comment: Edition of 1673: Prologue [by Sir C. S. [Sir Charles Sedley]-; Prologue to the King and Queen [spoken at Whitehall-; Epilogue-; [Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, p. 33): Rains-Harris; Bevil-Betterton; Woodly-Smith; Justice Clodpate-Underhill; Carolina-Mrs Johnson; Lucia-Mrs Gibbs; Mrs Jilt-Mrs Betterton; Bisket-Nokes; Fribble-Angel.
Cast
Role: Carolina Actor: Mrs Johnson
Event Comment: Benefit Johnson

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Constant Couple

Performance Comment: See17031028, but Smuggler-Johnson.
Cast
Role: Smuggler Actor: Johnson.

Song: Purcell's From Rosy Bowers-Leveridge

Dance: duRuel, Cherrier, Devonshire Girl

Event Comment: Benefit Johnson. At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Don Sebastian King Of Portugal

Performance Comment: Dorax-Betterton; Don Sebastian-Wilks; Muley Moluch-Mills; Benducar-Keene; Mufti-Johnson; Antonio-Booth; Mustapha-Estcourt; Almeyda-Mrs Knight; Morayme-Mrs Porter.
Cast
Role: Benducar Actor: Keene
Role: Mufti Actor: Johnson
Event Comment: Benefit Johnson. At the Desire of several Ladies of Quality

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Hamlet Prince Of Denmark

Performance Comment: See17170112, but Hamlet-Wilks; Ghost-Bowman; Gravedigger-Johnson; Queen-Mrs Porter; Ophelia-Mrs Mountfort.
Cast
Role: Gravedigger Actor: Johnson

Song: As17161022

Dance: As17161112

Event Comment: Benefit Johnson. Written by Sir John Vanbrugh

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Relapse Or Virtue In Danger

Performance Comment: As17210106, but Foppington-Cibber; Loveless-Wilks; Worthy-Mills; Young Fashion-Walker; Sir Tunbelly-Shepard; Coupler-Johnson; Lory-Norris; Shoemaker-Miller; Amanda-Mrs Porter; Hoyden-Mrs Bicknell; Nurse-Mrs Baker.
Cast
Role: Coupler Actor: Johnson

Dance: As17201018; Scotch Dance-Mrs Bullock

Event Comment: Benefit Johnson. Written by Shakespear

Performances

Mainpiece Title: King Henry The Viii

Performance Comment: Henry-Booth; Wolsey-Cibber; Buckingham-Wilks; Cranmer-Mills; Gardiner-Johnson; Queen Katherine-Mrs Porter; Anna Bullen-Mrs Horton.
Cast
Role: Gardiner Actor: Johnson

Dance: Dancing, as17240407 but Boval; +The Hussars, as17240407 Scotch Lilt, as17240407

Event Comment: Benefit Johnson. At the particular Desire of several Persons of Quality

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Constant Couple

Performance Comment: As17281017, but Beau Clincher-Cibber Jr; Smugler-Johnson.
Cast
Role: Smugler Actor: Johnson.

Dance: Roger, Essex, Young Lally, Miss Robinson, Miss Brett; particularly Drunken Peasant-

Event Comment: Benefit Johnson

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Sir Courtly Nice

Performance Comment: Sir Courtly-Cibber; Testimony-Johnson; Crack-Cibber Jr; Surly-Harper; Belguard-Watson; Farewell-W. Mills; Hothead-Shepard; Leonora-Mrs Thurmond; Violante-Mrs Butler; Aunt-Mrs Wetherilt.
Cast
Role: Testimony Actor: Johnson

Afterpiece Title: The What Dye Call It

Song: Mainpiece: With the Original Dialogue-Charke, Miss Raftor

Dance: Essex, Lally, Haughton, Rainton, Mrs Walter, Miss Robinson

Event Comment: Benefit Johnson. Mainpiece: Written by the late Sir Richard Steele

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Funeral

Performance Comment: Lady Brumpton-Mrs Horton; Hardy-Cibber; Campley-Wilks; Charlot-Mrs Cibber; Harriet-Mrs Booth; Brumpton-Paget; Cabinet-Fielding; Puzzle-Shepard; Trusty-Mills; Trim-Cibber Jr; Mademoiselle D'Epingle-Mrs Shireburn; Tattleaid-Mrs Mills; Kate-Harper; Mrs Fardingale-Griffin; Sable-Johnson.
Cast
Role: Sable Actor: Johnson.

Afterpiece Title: The Devil to Pay

Dance: MMinuet-Denoyer, Mrs Booth; Miss Robinson

Event Comment: Benefit Johnson. Mainpiece: Written by the late Sir Richard Steele. Afterpiece: Taken from the French of Moliere

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Funeral

Performance Comment: Sable-Johnson; Trusty-Mills; Lady Brumpton-Mrs Horton; Brumpton-Milward; Hardy-W. Mills; Campley-A. Hallam; Cabinet-Berry; Trim-Miller; Puzzle-Shepard; Torn-Oates; Lady Sharlot-Mrs Butler; Lady Harriet-Miss Holliday; Mademoiselle-Mrs Shireburn; Tattleaid-Mrs Grace; Kate-Harper .
Cast
Role: Sable Actor: Johnson

Afterpiece Title: The Mock Doctor

Dance: I: Dutchman and his Wife by Le Brun and Mrs Walter. III: Two Pierrots by Poitier and Nivelon. IV: Polish Dance, as17340318 but Miss Mann added. V: Revellers

Song: II: By Miss Arne

Event Comment: Benefit Johnson

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Venice Preservd

Performance Comment: Pierre-Johnson; Jaffier-Giffard; Belvidera-Mrs Giffard; but see17351003 . but see17351003 .
Cast
Role: Pierre Actor: Johnson

Afterpiece Title: The Lovers Opera

Dance: English Maggot by Haughton and Mrs Bullock. Dutch Skipper by Vallois and Mrs Bullock

Song: In Italian by Mrs Chambers

Event Comment: Benefit Johnson

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Alzira

Performance Comment: See17361014, but Zamor-Johnson.
Cast
Role: Zamor Actor: Johnson.

Afterpiece Title: The Devil to Pay

Dance: III: Clown-Vallois; V: French Peasants-Master Oates, Miss Oates

Song: IV: Singing in Italian-Mrs Chambers

Event Comment: Benefit Johnson. Receipts: #150

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Old Batchelor

Performance Comment: Heartwell-Delane; Fondlewife-Macklin; Bellmour-Mills; Bluff-Johnson; Sir Joseph Wittol-Cibber Jun.; Vainlove-Havard; Laetitia-Mrs Clive; Belinda-Mrs Mills; Sharper-Ridout; Setter-Turbutt; Barnaby-Leigh; Araminta-Mrs Cross; Silvia-Mrs Ridout.
Cast
Role: Bluff Actor: Johnson

Afterpiece Title: The Devil to Pay

Cast
Role: Lady Lurewell Actor: Mrs Bennet

Song: I: Song-Beard; III: Was ever Nymph like Rosamond-Lowe

Dance: II: New Serious Dance, as17420322 IV: Dutch Dance, as17411219; V: Le Boufon, as17420325

Event Comment: By Permission for one Night only. Benefit for Johnson. This Play will not be repeated at the Haymarket this Season, as it is a particular Act of Indulgence that it is suffered to be performed there this Evening (Public Advertiser)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The West Indian

Performance Comment: Belcour-Collins; Stockwell-Vaughan; Capt. Dudley-Lockhart; Young Dudley-Hudson; Major O'Flaherty-Johnson; Stukely-Edwards; Fulmer-Williams; Lawyer-Roberts; Servant-Pierce; Lady Rusport-Miss Fairlamb; Miss Dudley-Mrs Hudson; Mrs Fulmer-Mrs Simmonds; Chambermaid-Miss Atkinson; Miss Rusport-Mrs Collins.
Cast
Role: Major O'Flaherty Actor: Johnson

Afterpiece Title: Marriage a la Mode