SELECT * FROM london_stages WHERE MATCH('(@(authnameclean,perftitleclean,commentcclean,commentpclean) "Mr Benj May"/1) | (@(roleclean,performerclean) "Mr Benj May")') 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 5678 matches on Event Comments, 1309 matches on Performance Comments, 607 matches on Performance Title, 19 matches on Author, and 0 matches on Roles/Actors.
Event Comment: [The Prologue is printed in Universal Spectator, 9 May; the Epilogue, in the same, 2 May.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Phormio

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Rule A Wife And Have A Wife

Performance Comment: As17330215, but Sanchio-_; Alonzo-_ (Daily Post missing; advance notice in Daily Advertiser, 8 May). advance notice in Daily Advertiser, 8 May).

Afterpiece Title: The Mock Doctor

Dance: I: Drunken Peasant-LeBrun; III: Scots Dance-Haughton, Mrs Walter; IV: Dutchwoman-Miss Robinson; End of Afterpiece: Les Bergeries-Essex, Haughton, Miss Robinson

Song: II: Singing in English-E. Roberts; V: Singing in Italian-E. Roberts

Music: In III: Concerto on Little Flute-John Bastion

Event Comment: By Command of Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Wales. Pit and Boxes put together. London Daily Post and General Advertiser, 6 May: There was an exceeding great Audience, and great Numbers of Quality both in the Boxes and Pit. Their Highnesses' Box was handsomely ornamented with white Damask, adorn'd with Silver Laces and Fringes; over the Canopy was the Figure of Hymen, with a Label on which was this Motto: Concordia Cordium. Daily Journal, 6 May: The House was so full about Five o'Clock, that several Gentlemen and Ladies, unable to go to their Seats, was obliged to depart

Performances

Mainpiece Title: King Henry The Eighth

Afterpiece Title: The Fall of Phaeton

Dance: I: Tambourine by Mlle Roland. II: Russian Sailor by Denoyer, &c. IV: French Peasants by Poitier, Mlle Roland, &c

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Being a True Story in Common Life, and the Incidents extremely affecting. Written by the Author of George Barnwell [George Lillo]. N.B. This is much the coolest House in Town. At Common Prices, viz. Boxes 5s. Pit 2s. 6d. Gallery 1s. 6d. [For a puff, see Daily Advertiser, 25 May.] Daily Advertiser, 28 May: Last Night . . . Guilt its own Punishment . . . was acted . . . with the greatest Applause that has been shewn to any Tragedy for many Years. The Scenes of Distress were so artfully work'd up, and so well perform'd, that there scarce remain'd a dry Eye among the Spectators at the Representation; and during the Scene preceding the Catastrophe, an attentive Silence possess'd the whole House, more expressive of an universal Approbation than the loudest Applauses

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Guilt Its Own Punishment; Or, Fatal Curiosity

Afterpiece Title: Tumble Down Dick

Event Comment: Never Acted before. [Author not known. Apparently not published.] By a Company of Comedians dropt from the Clouds, late Servants to their thrice-renown'd Majesties, Kouly Kan and Theodore. With new Scenes, Habits, and proper Decorations. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. Gallery 2s. 1st N.B. To prevent the Imposition of Box-Keepers, Gentlemen and Ladies are humbly desir'd to take Tickets at the Office, or to send for them at the Theatre, where Attendance will be given every Day, and Places may be taken. 2d N.B. The Company will endeavour to entertain the Town the remaining part of the Season. [In advance bill in Daily Advertiser, 23 Feb.: 2d N.B. Considering the extraordinary Expence that must necessarily attend equipping so many Monarchs of different Nations, the Proprietor hopes the Town will not take Umbrage at the Prices being rais'd. 3rd. N.B. The Proprietor begs leave to enter his Caveat against all (what Names soever distinguish'd) who may hire, or be hir'd, to do the Drudgery of Hissing, Catcalling, &c. and entreats the Town would discourage, as much as in them lies, a Practice at once so scandalous and prejudicial to Author, Player, and every Fair Theatre Adventure.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: A Rehearsal Of Kings; Or, The Projecting Gingerbread Baker; With The Unheard Of Catastrophe Of Macplunderkan, King Of Roguomania And The Ignoble Fall Of Baron Tromperland, King Of Clouts

Event Comment: CCommon Sense, 21 May, prints a letter from Pasquin to the Author of the Gazetteer of 7 May

Performances

Event Comment: At the Desire of Several Distinguished People of Quality. TThos. Newton to Garrick: All that we wanted was to see more of your face and the expressions of your countenance; and therefore beg you will remember to secure for us that stage-box, where we may see your looks in the scene with Lady Ann, and as you lie upon the couch, that is, that we may sit with the stage on our right hand, and the pit on our left.-Boaden, Private Correspondence of Garrick, I, 3-4

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Richard Iii

Cast
Role: Lord Mayor Actor: Dunstall

Dance: two Mwo Masters and Miss Granier

Event Comment: Benefit Cross (Prompter), DeMaimbray (Mechanist), and Desse. Tickets deliver'd out by Nodder, Owen, Miss Lee, and others will be taken. [This month in the Gentlemen's Magazine appeared a long essay from Champion No. 5, entitled The Character of an excellent Actor, an appreciative essay on the difficulties of acting, and the excellence of Garrick. The author avows he never exchanged a word with Garrick in his life. In July the Gentlemen's Magazine publish'd a reply to the contention that shewing good plays and giving men a relish for them was a satisfactory method of instructing the young, concluding instead against stage entertainments because they may be and are productive of much ill; and can serve no good end but what may be more effectively attained by other means.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Oroonoko

Afterpiece Title: The Lying Valet

Song: As17430120

Dance: II: La Florana, as17430408 New Ballet-Desse, Mrs Walter

Music: V: a Concerto-Burk Thomuth

Event Comment: Benefit Mrs Giffard. Tickets may be had at her lodgings, James Street, Covent Garden; at the Bedford Coffee House, and places for the boxes may be taken at the Stage Door

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Venice Preserved

Afterpiece Title: The Virgin Unmasked

Dance: Muilment, Mrs Auguste

Event Comment: Benefit Hale and Mrs Hale. Mainpiece Written by Shakespear, reviv'd by particular desire. Containing the Memorable Battle of Agincourtv, with the total overthrow of the French Army, and many other Historical Passages. In order to preserve a proper decorum, and that this play may not be interrupted in its performance, the Publick may be assured there will not be any building on the stage.-General Advertiser. [In advance bill Nancy; or, The Parting Lovers had been advertised; Tom True Blue-$Beard; Father-$Leveridge; Captain of Press Gang-$Bencraft; Nancy-$Mrs Clive.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Life Of King Henry The Fifth

Afterpiece Title: The Lottery

Event Comment: DDaniel and Smith's Great Theatrical Booth will be perform'd a Droll with the Comical Humours of his Squire Pancho, etc....the memorable battle betwixt his Donship and the Windmillv. [Announced for the entire time of May Fair, May 1-15, but no bill after 30 April.] Noon to nine p.m

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Don Quixote De Le Mancha

Afterpiece Title: Harlequin Captive

Song: Convers, Miss Clarke

Event Comment: Benefit Dukes. 5s., 3s., 2s. At the General Session...for Courts of Middlesex...on Thursday the 10th Day of May, 17 George II....This Court being informed, that several common Players of Interludes have for several Years used and accusdomed to assemble and meet together at or near a certain place called Tattenhoe, alias Tattenhall, alias Tottenham Court, in the Parish of St.@Pancras in this County, and to erect Booths, and act or exhibit Drolls and other Shews...whereby great Numbers of His Majesty's Subjects have been encouraged to assemble and to commit Riots and other Misdemeanors, in breach of His Majesty's Peace, and to the disturbance of the Neighborhood, of that Place; and that some of the said Players of Interludes, and other evil disposed Persons, are now seeking out and contracting for ground in or near the Place aforesaid, to build Booths for showing and acting said Plays and Drolls...and whereas all such Players of Interludes are deemed and declared Rogues and Vagabonds, and the Acting of such Plays, Drolls and Shews, are contrary to the Inns and Statues of the Realm...require the High Constable to apprehend all and every Players of Interludes, Plays, and Drolls.--Daily Advertiser, 17 May

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Miser

Afterpiece Title: The Mock Doctor

Event Comment: At Hussey's Booth. [Repeated on 13 May but with The Contrivances of Harlequin in place of The Adventures of Harlequin. Repeated on 15 May, but no pantomime listed.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Jane Shore; Interspers'd With Comic Scenes

Afterpiece Title: The Merry Cobler of Preston

Afterpiece Title: The Adventures of Harlequin

Event Comment: [Illness of an actor is given as the reason for no performance on 1 May.] Repeated 4, 5, 6. 7, 8, 9, 11 (with a new Desert [i.e., a change in the afterpiece]), 12, 13 (a new character), 14 (Places to be taken at the House [a notice that supersedes that of 28 April]), 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, 25 (A Dialogue which is to pass for an Epilogue [repeated in the bills]), 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 (Last time of Breakfasting) May

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Diversions Of The Morning

Event Comment: [L$Leveridge announced his benefit for Thursday March 31, The Recruiting Officer, with the following jingle to the tune of Can Love be Controul'd by Advice?]: I@Tho' Fortune is said to be Blind,@'Tis hop'd the fam'd Goddess may hear@Which prompts me to think she'll be Kind,@And to my petition give ear.@Tho' here starts a doubt I must own,@Since Drury her favour has got,@How I shall address the Kind Town@My tickets this time to promote.@II@And yet with great Hope I'm led on@That some generous hearts may be found,@To say-Come let something be done@For him that has ne'er chang'd his ground.@For him take a ticket this time@'Twill give the old stander delight@Who begs us in this humble rhyme@To honour his benefit night.@ Tickets to be had at Leveridge's lodgings at the Twisted Posts in Brownlow St., Drury Lane, and at the Stage Door

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Joshua

Afterpiece Title: New Concerto

Event Comment: Letter from John Potter, Proprietor of the New Theatre in the Haymarket, to the author of the General Advertiser: As the resentment of the Town for the disappointment of the performance advertised to be exhibited at my theatre on Monday last, shall fall entirely upon me, I hope I may be allowed to acquaint the public with the nature of my case. [Suggests he should not be to blame for misbehavior of any person who hired his house, that he had some apprehensions in this case, but that the Bottle Conjurer paid the rent in advance and agreed to have a House officer in the box office to return the money if the audience was displeased.] All the caution above mentioned was taken, and the money locked up in the office, guarded by persons of reputation, who would have returned it, and publicly on the stage told them, that if the person did not appear, their money should be return'd. But instead of complying with that offer, my House was pulled down, the Office broken open, the money taken out, and the servants oblig'd to fly to save their lives. I hope therefore this may be deem'd a sufficient justification in my behalf, and all that could be reasonably expected from me; and that those gentlemen who are conscious of having injured me, will be so generous as to make me a reasonable Satisfaction, considering the damage I have suffer'd, which in a moderate computation will amount to upwards of four thousand pounds. This day is Publish'd, at 1s. Lethe, a Dramatic Satire, by David Garrick as it is perform'd at Drury Lane. By Paul Vaillant, facing Southampton Street in the Strand. [A letter from Samuel Foote to the Author of the General Advertiser clears himself from any imputation of confederacy in the Bottle Conjuror fraud. See also my Introduction, note 103.] Receipts: #100 (Cross); #119 2s. 6d. (Powel)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Double Dealer

Afterpiece Title: Lethe

Music: I: A Piece of Music-the Child

Dance: II: New Scotch Dance-Cooke, Ann Auretti

Event Comment: This day is publish'd a Guide to the Stage; or Select Instructions and Precedents from the best Authorities towards forming a polite Audience; with some account of the Players, &c. Printed and sold by D. Job, at the Spread Eagle in King St. [An ironical post-Addisonian quip at theatrical behavior]: I boldly enter the lists as the first champion for theatric decorum. The next thing to be consider'd is disapprobation, which I think may be sufficiently shewn, by an attention to something else, by loud discourse, profuse laughter, and the like. I cannot help thinking it a little out of character, for a polite audience to distort their features by a hiss: however for the sake of some ambitious youths, who thus love to signalize themselves, I shall leave a new play to their mercy. They then are at liberty to exercise their several talents whether they hiss or groan most successfully, or have a greater genius for the cat-call. If you desire to know when you are to shew your dislike, my answer is, when anything displeases you, or in fine when you will provided you have a strong party to second you; for the best hiss or groan in the universe may be drown'd in a general applause. [Never laugh at what passes on stage save it be an error, blunder, or accident. In tragic scenes avoid being visibly moved by humming a tune, regarding the audience, engaging in conservation, or turning your back to the stage. When a female social rival calls attention to herself and away from the stage, let fall your handkerchief into the pit, or call out to an acquaintance in the opposite box, or burst into loud and unexpected laughter. You'll know when to applaud, for the actors will tell you.] On these occasions Cato looks more than unusually big, Hamlet stares with great emphasis, Othello has a most languishing aspect, Monimia is all sighs and softness, Beatrice will bridle, and pretty Peggy Wildair leers you into a clap. Receipts: #170 (Cross)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Mourning Bride

Afterpiece Title: The Anatomist

Event Comment: Benefit for Mrs Ward. Tickets to be had of Mrs Ward, next door to the Chapel, in Little Wild St., and of Hobson at the stage door. Tickets deliver'd out for Jane Shore will be taken. A Pamphlet having lately appeared in Ridicule of the late performance of Othello at Drury Lane, to which was subjoined an Advertisement in my name,from whence Occasion has been taken to assert, that I was the publisher, the Publick may be assured that advertisement was inserted without my knowledge or consent, that I am entirely ignorant of the Author, nor am the least concerned in that mean invidious affair. F. Stamper (General Advertiser). [Stamper possibly refers to A satirical Dialogue Humbly address'd to the Gentlemen who deformed the play of Othello; with a Prologue and Epilogue, much more suitable to the occasion than their own. London: River, 1751, listed in the Register of Books, Gentleman's Magazine, March 1751, p. 142. Stamper may also be alluding in some way to a Modern Character introduced in the Scenes of Vanbrugh's Aesop as it was acted at a late private representation of King Henry IV, performed gratis at the Little Opera House in the Haymarket, 3rd edn. 1751, written by F. Stamper. It was published because the farce was hissed off the stage. The Character is a Spouter who tries to instruct Aesop in heroics.] Receipts: #210 (Cross)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Inconstant

Afterpiece Title: Bayes in Petticoats

Dance: Devisse, Mad Auretti, Harvey, Mad Camargo

Event Comment: [The theatres this night met competition from (I) an Assembly at the king's Theatre in the Haymarket, tickets 26s. each, to admit one Gentleman and two ladies. (2) another Assembly at the Five Bells Tavern, behind the New Church, in the Strand, where was opened the Temple of Taste, where will be exhibited a grand concert of Music. Also an attempt towards the Introduction of a new rational entertainment, consisting of an Occasional Prologue by a Gentleman; a panegyric on the Utility of Public Speaking, in which the Design is particularly illustrated; Propositions made from a Gentleman in the Chair, to be debated by the company, such as the Gay and Polite may be supposed to understand, and speak upon with success; to conclude with an Original Epilogue; the whole interspers'd with several grand concertos, Overtures, and Full pieces of Musick. This design, which has for its object the interest of Knowledge, Eloquence and Politeness, needs no Apology, and can be opposed by those, with whom to be at variance, is Virtue. No subject of so Sacred Nature as Religion, will be there canvass'd nor anything that can give Occasion to Indecency, or unmannerly reflection on any Undertaking or Party.-In this attempt all Men of Taste are interested, as they will have an opportunity not only of being pleased, but giving pleasure by considering every subject with candour, and reasoning upon it, with Eloquence and propriety. To this entertainment, the Ladies are likewise invited, who have an unexceptionable right to be present at all Attempts, calculated for the promotion of knowledge, and as their appearance will naturally secure polite behavior, so they may reap some advantage from the Circulation of ideas, which is such an Assembly must necessarily take place. The price of entrance-half a crown each. To begin precisely at seven. The room which is very commodious, will be elegantly illuminated. The SUBJECT for the first Night's Debate will be, "If the Custom of Portioning Daughters was entirely suppress'd, would it not be a good Expedient towards the promotion of Matrimony and the felicity of that state." It continued on four Wednesday nights. Then seems to have died.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Royal Merchant

Afterpiece Title: Harlequin Sorcerer

Event Comment: Tickets may be had of Arne in Chelsea St., Covent Garden, and of Varney at the Stage Door where Places may be taken. N.B. Those nightly Tickets which did not come in at the two performances of Abel, will be received at this performance

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Alfred

Music: I: Concerto on the Violin, as17550314 II: An Organ Concerto by Arne, as17550314

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Recruiting Officer

Afterpiece Title: The Devil to Pay

Performance Comment: Sir John-Charles; Jobson-Quelch; Cook-Pinner; Coachman-Venables; Butler-Blakey; Conjurer-Metteer; Footman-Turner; Fidler-May; Lettice-Mrs Chetwood; Betty-Miss Davies; Lady Loverule-Mrs Quelch; Nell-Miss Cary [who acted Polly in the Beggar's Opera, her second on any stage but see17550821 and 25 Aug. and 28 Aug.].who acted Polly in the Beggar's Opera, her second on any stage but see17550821 and 25 Aug. and 28 Aug.].
Cast
Role: Fidler Actor: May

Dance: II: Hornpipe-Walker; III: Pierots Dance-; IV: Hornpipe-a small jolly Tar but seven years old, who never appeared on any Stage before; End: La Dance du Village-

Event Comment: MMr Mossop having receiv'd a letter from several Upholsterers, takes this method of acquainting the Writer, that he shall be very ready to give full Explanation with respect to the contents, upon receiving notice how he may convey an answer; but he must beg leave to decline any further reply in the Public Papers, being unwilling to treat seriously what very possibly may have been intended only as a joke (Public Advertiser)

Performances

Event Comment: Benefit for increasing the Fund for Support of Decay'd Musicians, or their Families. Pit and Boxes to be put together at Half a Guinea each. Gallery 5s. Doors open at Five. Gallery at Four, to begin at Half an Hour after Six. None to be admitted without tickets. Tickets delivered to Subscribers to this Charity will admit one person into any part of the House. Subscribers tickets may be had of Richard Dawson at his house near Henry the VII's Chapel, Westminster, who is empower'd by the Society to deliver them, and to receive the subscriptions. The Governors beg leave to inform the Nobility and Gentry to whom this Charity is so much oblig'd, that from June 1756 to June 1757 they have necessarily laid out for decay'd musicians and their families, widows of decay'd musicians, and in maintaining and educating orphans who are left in distress, and in putting them Apprentice, and for Physic, Burials, and other incidental charges #532 13s. 7d. The Books are open and may be inspected by subscribers the first Sunday in every month at a meeting of the Governors, at the Turk's Head in Greek Street, Soho. All expenses attending the meetings of the Governors, Court of Affidavits Committee for managing of this Concert, are defrayed by themselves

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Concert

Event Comment: A Bold Stroke for a Wife, with Harlequin Sorcerer, had been advertised at the foot of the bill for 5 May, but not on 6 May

Performances

Event Comment: TThe London Chronicle 1758 (p. 461): Having already read the play [The London Cuckolds] it was no wonder if my inclinations to attend the exhibition of it were very small; however, being in some measure oblig'd to perform that penance, I paid my money and sat down in the pit, where I underwent three hours entertainment, if I may call it so, only to be rooted in a former opinion, that the author of this comedy deserved to be hanged; and that the only excuse which could be made for suffering it to be acted would be invincible stupidity. This monstruous production of nonsense and obscenity, is the spawn of one Ravenscroft, a writer whose wit was as contemptible as his morals were vitious. He does not seem to have had one sentiment either of a man of Genious of a gentleman, at least if we may judge by the characters he has daubed, which are a pack of reprobates of the lowest kind. Nor are the things which look like incidents in this play the produce of his own invention, but the squeezings from an extravagant novel of Scarron, and two or three ill-chosen fables of LaFontaine; of which ingredients he has contrived to mix up a sort of hog-wash, sweetened with a few luscious expressions and a large portion of the grossest lewdness, to the palates of swine, or what is the same thing, men like them; but which must be odious to, and nauseated by all people of delicate taste, or common modesty. The three gallants in this comedy, Townly, Ramble and Loveit, never make their appearance upon the stage but to talk bawdy, and that in terms very little different from the most vagabond inhabitants of Covent Garden, nor do they make their exit but with a professed intention to commit adultery with one woman or another, who walks off with him very contentedly for that purpose. I must here observe that adultery is committed no less than seven times during the five acts. [The play an insult to the London aldermen and their wives.] There were several men of distinction in the boxes at this play, and I think about eight ladies. What their inward feelings might be I know not; but if one might judge of their thoughts by the gravity of their looks, they were rather mortified than diverted. But of the women of the town, who as we suppose were unwilling to let slip so fair an opportunity of getting a supper and a bed-fellow, there were crowds both in the pit and green boxes...

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The London Cuckolds

Afterpiece Title: The Double Disappointment

Dance: As17581016