SELECT * FROM london_stages WHERE MATCH('(@(authnameclean,perftitleclean,commentcclean,commentpclean) "Mrs Pierce"/1) | (@(roleclean,performerclean) "Mrs Pierce")') 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 23331 matches on Performance Comments, 4243 matches on Event Comments, 4203 matches on Performance Title, 9 matches on Author, and 0 matches on Roles/Actors.
Event Comment: Last Night of the Company's performing this Season. Account-Book: Tickets delivered by Mrs Shotter, Wyatt, Waller, Gawdrey, Ratchford, the Band, Coombes, Page, Wilkins, Robson (door-keeper), Warwhick, Dosel, Paskin, Wells, Ansell, King will be admitted. Receipts: #467 13s. 6d. (67.10.0; 3.14.0; tickets: 396.9.6)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Suspicious Husband

Cast
Role: Mrs Town Actor: Mrs Fawcett

Afterpiece Title: The Poor Sailor

Dance: Afterpiece: With a Treble Hornpipe-Ratchford, King, Mrs Ratchford

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; T 5, by William Henry Ireland; incidental music by William Linley. Prologue by Sir James Bland Burges; Epilogue by Robert Merry (see text)]: With new Scenes, Dresses & Decorations. The Scenes designed and excuted by Greenwood and Capon. The Dresses by Johnston, Gay & Miss Rein. Printed slip attached to Kemble playbill: A malevolent and impotent attack on the Shakspeare MSS. [i.e. those forged by W. H. Ireland, of which this play was one] having appeared, on the Eve of representation of Vortigern, evidently intended to injure the interest of the Proprietor of the MSS., Mr Samuel? Ireland [W. H. Ireland's father] feels it impossible, within the short space of time that intervenes between the publishing and the representation, to produce an answer to the most illiberal and unfounded assertions in Mr Malone's enquiry [i.e. Edmond Malone, An Inquiry into the Authenticity of certain Papers attributed to Shakspeare, Queen Elizabeth, and Henry, Earl of Southampton, 1796]. He is therefore induced to request that Vortigern may be heard With that Candour that has ever distinguished a British Audience. The Play is now at the Press, and will in a very few days be laid before the Public. [But it was not issued until 1799 (see below). See also Bernard Grebanier, The Great Shakespeare Forgery, London, 1966.] 4 Apr., states that the first three acts were listened to with patience, but beginning with the fourth act the play was damned, when "one tremendous yell of indignation from the pit burst simultaneously." "At four o'clock the doors of the theatre were besieged; and, a few minutes after they were opened, the pit was crowded solely with gentlemen. Before six not a place was to be found in the boxes, and the passages were filled...The audience betrayed symptoms of impatience early in the representation; but, finding its taste insulted by bloated terms, which heightened the general insipidity, its reason puzzled by discordant images, false ornaments, and abortive efforts to elevate and astonish, pronounced its sentence of condemnation at the conclusion of the play" (Gentleman's Magazine, Apr. 1795, pp. 346-47). "Irelands play of Vortigern I went to. Prologue spoken at 35 minutes past 6 [see 29 Mar.]: Play over at 10. A strong party was evidently made to support it, which clapped without opposition frequently through near 3 acts, when some ridiculous passages caused a laugh, mixed with groans-Kemble requested the audience t o hear the play out abt. the end of 4th act and prevailed.-The Epilogue was spoken by Mrs Jordan who skipped over some lines which claimed the play as Shakespeares. Barrymore attempted to give the Play out for Monday next but was hooted off the stage. Kemble then came on, & after some time, was permitted to say that "School for Scandal would be given," which the House approved by clapping. Sturt of Dorsetshire was in a Stage Box drunk, & exposed himself indecently to support the Play, and when one of the stage attendants attempted to take up the green cloth [i.e. a carpet which, by custom, was laid on the stage during the concluding scene of a tragedy], Sturt seized him roughly by the head. He was slightly pelted with oranges" (Joseph Farington, Diary, 1922, I, 145). Account-Book, 4 Apr.: Paid Ireland his share for the 1st Night of Vortigern #102 13s. 3d. Morning Chronicle, 29 Mar. 1799: This Day is published Vortigern and Henry the Second (4s.). Receipts: #555 6s. 6d. (528.6.0; 26.9.6; 0.11.0)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Vortigern

Performance Comment: Characters-Bensley, Barrymore, Caulfield, Kemble, Whitfield, Trueman, C. Kemble, Benson, Phillimore, King, Dignum, Packer, Cooke, Banks, Evans, Russell, Wentworth, Maddocks, Webb, Master Gregson, Master DeCamp, Mrs Powell, Mrs Jordan, Miss Miller, Miss Tidswell, Miss Heard, Miss Leak; [Cast from text (J. Barker, 1799): Constantius-Bensley; Aurelius-Barrymore; Uter-Caulfield; Vortigern-Kemble; Wortimerus-Whitfield; Catagrines-Trueman; Pascentius-C. Kemble; Hengist-Benson; Horsus-Phillimore; Fool-King; Page-Master Gregson; Servant-Master DeCamp; Edmunda-Mrs Powell; Flavia-Mrs Jordan; Rowena-Miss Miller; Attendants on Edmunda-Miss Tidswell, Miss Heard, Miss Leak; Dignum, Packer, Cooke, Banks, Evans, Russell, Wentworth, Maddocks, Webb are unassigned.] Prologue [actually, read (Boaden, Jordan, I, 297)]-Whitfield; Epilogue-Mrs Jordan.

Afterpiece Title: My Grandmother

Cast
Role: Mrs Grogram Actor: Mrs Hopkins
Role: Nancy Lovell Actor: Mrs Goodall

Song: In: Last Whitsunday they brought me-Miss Leak; She sung whilst from her eye ran down-Mrs Jordan [neither one listed in playbill (see BUC, 622)]

Event Comment: [as Miss Mahon Mrs Second has sung in the cg oratorios in 1789 and 1790.] Receipts: #189 5s. (187.5.6; 1.19.6)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Woodman

Performance Comment: Sir Walter Waring-Quick; Capt. O'Donnel-Johnstone; Fairlop-Bowden; Medley-Townsend; Bob-Haymes; Ralph-Linton; Welford-Incledon; Dolly-Mrs Martyr; Miss Di Clacket-Mrs Davenport; Polly-Miss Gray; Bridget-Mrs Watts; Emily (with additional songs, accompanied on the clarionet by Mahon)-Mrs Second (1st appearance on any stage [i.e. in a speaking part]).i.e. in a speaking part]).
Cast
Role: Dolly Actor: Mrs Martyr
Role: Miss Di Clacket Actor: Mrs Davenport
Role: Bridget Actor: Mrs Watts
Role: Emily Actor: Mrs Second

Afterpiece Title: The Follies of a Day

Performance Comment: Count Almaviva-Lewis; Figaro-Macready; Antonio-Munden; Bazil-Powel; The Page (with a song)-Mrs Martyr; Countess-Miss Chapman; Marcelina-Mrs Gilbert; Agnes-Miss Logan; Susan-Mrs Pope.
Cast
Role: The Page Actor: Mrs Martyr
Role: Marcelina Actor: Mrs Gilbert
Role: Susan Actor: Mrs Pope.

Song: [One of Mrs Second's new songs was Hope thou cheerful ray of light (BUC 643).

Event Comment: Mainpiece: Not acted these 4 years. [In mainpiece the playbill assigns Acasto to Murray, but "An apology was made for Murray, who was prevented by illness from playing Acasto, which, at a short notice, was taken by Hull" (True Briton, 14 Oct.).] "This whole of [Mrs Spencer's] performance was marked by such unaffected simplicity that it was almost impossible to consider it as the mere fiction of the scene. This lady is really a great aquisition to the house" (True Briton, ibid). Receipts: #254 6s. 6d. (244.18.6; 9.8.0)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Orphan; Or, The Unhappy Marriage

Performance Comment: Castalio-Pope; Acasto-Hull; Polydore-Clarke; Chaplain-Powel; Ernesto-Thompson; Page-Master Standen; Chamont-Holman; Serina-Miss Mansel; Florella-Miss Leserve; Monimia-Mrs Spencer (from the Theatre Royal, Dublin; 1st appearance on this stage). 1st appearance on this stage).
Cast
Role: Monimia Actor: Mrs Spencer

Dance: Ballet, as17971002, but Mrs _Watts

Event Comment: By Authority of the Lord Chamberlain. Benefit for Lacy, formerly of the Theatre Royal, Drury-Lane. Tickets to be had of Fosbrook, at the Box Office of the Drury Lane Theatre, and Rice, at the Box Office of the Theatre-Royal, Haymarket, where Places for the Boxes may be taken. [Address by John Taylor (Monthly Mirror, Dec. 1798, p. 370). On this night the following appeared both at dl and at the hay: Hollingsworth, Caulfield, Bannister Jun., Suett, Miss Pope, Mrs Bland.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Jealous Wife

Performance Comment: Oakly-Lacy; Major Oakly-Wilmot Wells; Charles-Macready; Mrs Oakly-Mrs Abington; And, with Permission of the Proprietors of the Theatre Royal, Drury-Lane: Russet-Hollingsworth; Sir Harry Beagle-R. Palmer; Lord Trinket-Russell; Captain O'Cutter-Caulfield; Paris-Wewitzer; William-Ryder; John-Surmont; Tom-Webb; Lady Freelove-Mrs Sparks; Harriet-Miss Heard; Toilet-Mrs Cuyler.
Cast
Role: Mrs Oakly Actor: Mrs Abington
Role: Lady Freelove Actor: Mrs Sparks
Role: Toilet Actor: Mrs Cuyler.

Afterpiece Title: Between II and III of the above,Sylvester Daggerwood

Afterpiece Title: High Life below Stairs

Performance Comment: Lovel-Dowton; Freeman-Surmont; Philip-Sparks; Tom-Ryder; Duke's Servant-R. Palmer; Sir Harry's Servant-Russell; Kitty-Miss Pope; Cook-Mrs Coates; Cloe-Mrs Mills; Lady Bab's Maid-Miss Tidswell; Lady Charlotte's Maid-Miss Heard.
Cast
Role: Cook Actor: Mrs Coates
Role: Cloe Actor: Mrs Mills

Dance: In II 3rd piece: A Mock Minuet-R. Palmer, Miss Pope

Song: End I 1st piece: Little Taffline-Mrs Bland

Entertainment: MonologuePrevious 1st piece: Occasional Address-Lacy

Event Comment: By Permission of the Lord Chamberlain. Benefit for an Infant Orphan Family. Tickets to be had at No. 17, Tufton-street, Westminster; of Appleby, Hosier, Parliament-street; Mrs Cleaver, Cannon-row, Parliament-street; Newcomb, Confectioner, Bridge-street, Westminster; Taylor, Linen-draper, Whitehall; Thomas, Butcher, Charing-cross; Medhurst, Pastry Cook, Russel-court, Drury-lane; Rice, at the Theatre, where Places for the Boxes may be taken

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Merchant Of Venice

Performance Comment: Portia-Mrs Sumbel (late Mrs Wells; who has generously volunteered her services for that Evening); Nerissa-A Young Lady (1st appearance on the stage [unidentified]). The rest of the characters by Ladies and Gentlemen who, actuated by movies of humanity, have made a voluntary offer of their respective services.unidentified]). The rest of the characters by Ladies and Gentlemen who, actuated by movies of humanity, have made a voluntary offer of their respective services.
Cast
Role: Portia Actor: Mrs Sumbel

Afterpiece Title: The Irishman in London

Entertainment: End: Her much admired Imitations-Mrs Sumbel

Event Comment: [Extra night] Benefit for the General Lying-In Hospital, Bayswater, Under the Patronage of Her Majesty. Tickets to be had at the Hospital; of Longman and Wilkinson, Cheapside; Broderip andCo., Haymarket; and of Brandon at the Theatre, where Places for the Boxes may be taken. Many of the Re-Renters have generously relinquished their Privilege upon this Night. [Faulkner had acted at dl on 21 Dec. 1796, and Mrs Johnstone at cg on 4 Jan. 1798.] Receipts: none listed

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Lover's Vows

Performance Comment: Principal Characters-Faulkner (1st appearance on this stage), Basset, Barry Jun., The Young Gentleman who performed Wilford [on 23 Apr.], Thompson, Abbot, Webb, H. Johnston, Mrs Johnston [recte Mrs Johnstone] (2nd appearance on this stage), Mrs Hunter, Miss Leserve, Mrs H. Johnston [And see17981011.]; Epilogue-Barry Jun.

Afterpiece Title: The Jew and the Doctor

Performance Comment: Principal Characters-Barry Jun., Clarke, Williams, Barrett, Setwell, The Young Gentleman who performed Wilford, Miss Cox, Miss Leserve, Mrs Litchfield [And see17981123].And see17981123].

Song: End II: Hope told a flattering tale-Mrs Ferguson; accompanied on the Pedal Harp-Weippert

Music: End I: Grand Sonata on the Piano Forte, as17990515; End IV: Lesson of Nicolai, as17990515

Entertainment: Monologues Before: [Collins' Ode on the Passions-Master Parker; End III: The Birth Day Ode [by Henry James Pye, 1st performed at St. James's Palace, 4 June, the birthday of George III]-Master Parker; End: Imitations-Mrs Sumbel (late $Mrs Wells)

Performance Comment: James's Palace, 4 June, the birthday of George III]-Master Parker; End: Imitations-Mrs Sumbel (late $Mrs Wells).
Cast
Role: Imitations Actor: Mrs Sumbel
Event Comment: Benefit for Wilson. Second Course [1st time; M. INT I, by James Cobb. Larpent MS 567; not published]: With Songs and a New Overture. Entrement [1st time: INT I, by Charles Stuart. Larpent MS 566; not published]. Desert: Never acted here; by Permission of Harris [proprietor of cg. The playbill assigns Princess Huncamunca to Mrs Kennedy, but "Huncamunca was very well performed by a Lady who resembled Mrs Kennedy in her voice" (Public Advertiser, 23 Aug.; and see 24 Aug.)]

Performances

Mainpiece Title: the Feast Of Thalia; Or, A Dramatic Olio

Performance Comment: [Bill of Fare, in which every Dish belonging to the Drama will be served up: Prelude, Tragedy, Comedy, Opera, Interlude, and Burlesque. By way of Relish: The Manager in Distress. [Principal Characters by Palmer, Aickin, R. Palmer, Egan, Bannister Jun., Mrs Cuyler, Mrs Jewell, Miss Hale, Mrs Webb. [Cast from text (T. Cadell [1780]): Bustleton-Palmer; Manager-Aickin; Easy-R. Palmer; Irishman in the Pit-Egan; Gentleman in the Balcony-Bannister Jun.; Actresses-Mrs Cuyler, Mrs Jewell, Miss Hale; Lady in Balcony-Mrs Webb.

Afterpiece Title: First Course, a substantial Dish from: Henry IV

Performance Comment: As Act I on 7 Aug., but Sir John Falstaff-Wilson (1st appearance in that character); Francis-Edwin; Poins-R. Palmer; Peto-Painter; Prince of Wales-Palmer; Hostess-Mrs Love.
Cast
Role: Hostess Actor: Mrs Love.

Afterpiece Title: Second Courae, a Comic Dish, never serv'd up before: Kensington Gardens; or, The Walking Jockey

Performance Comment: Characters by Edwin, Blissett, Staunton, Wood, Barrett, Painter, Pierce, Miss Harper; Cast from Larpent MS: Thimble-Edwin; Sir Harry Optic-Blissett; Dick-Barrett; Toupee-Wewitzer (see17810831); Letitia-Miss Harper; unassigned-Staunton, Wood, Painter, Pierce.
Cast
Role: unassigned Actor: Staunton, Wood, Painter, Pierce.

Afterpiece Title: Third Course, an Operatic Dish: The Son-in-Law

Performance Comment: As17810609 but Characters-_Stevens, _Kenny, Mrs _Lefevre.
Cast
Role: Characters Actor: _Stevens, _Kenny, Mrs _Lefevre.
Role: Dolce Actor: Mrs Lefevre

Afterpiece Title: Also by way of Entremet: Ripe Fruit; or, The Marriage Act

Performance Comment: Character by Bannister Jun.; Mrs Wilson, Miss Hitchcock. Cast from Larpent MS: William-Bannister Jun.; Sally-Mrs Wilson; Nancy-Miss Hitchcock.
Cast
Role: Sally Actor: Mrs Wilson

Afterpiece Title: Desert: Tom Thumb

Performance Comment: Mr Noodle-Bannister; Mr Doodle-Bannister Jun.; Tom Thumb-Master Edwin; Lord Grizzle-Edwin; Ghost of Gaffer Thumb-Simpkinson; King Arthur-Wilson; Princess Huncamunca-A Young Lady (1st appearance on any stage [unidentified]); Glumdalca-Mrs Webb; Plumante-Mrs Lefevre; Queen Dollalolla-Mrs Cargill. [As no Supper will be provided, the Cloth will be removed by Eleven o'Clock.As no Supper will be provided, the Cloth will be removed by Eleven o'Clock.
Cast
Role: Glumdalca Actor: Mrs Webb
Role: Plumante Actor: Mrs Lefevre
Role: Queen Dollalolla Actor: Mrs Cargill.

Song: In Second Course: Auld Robin Gray-Miss Harper

Event Comment: Benefit for Weston and Mrs Daly. Tickets to be had of Mrs Daly at Mr Allen's in Great Suffolk St., near the Haymarket; and of Mr Weston, in Monmouth Court, Hedge Lane, Charing Cross

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Beaux Stratagem

Performance Comment: Archer-Kennedy; Aimwell-Davis; Bonniface-Johnson; Foigard-Lewis; Sullen-Brown; Gibbet-Murden; Sir Charles Freeman-Wallis; Hounslow-Summers; Bagshot-Pierce; Scrub-Weston; Cherry-Miss Read; Dorinda-Mrs Osborne; Gipsey-Mrs Johnson; Mrs Sullen-Mrs Daly.
Cast
Role: Bagshot Actor: Pierce
Role: Dorinda Actor: Mrs Osborne
Role: Gipsey Actor: Mrs Johnson
Role: Mrs Sullen Actor: Mrs Daly.

Afterpiece Title: The Contented Cuckold

Performance Comment: Principal parts-Weston, Murden, Brown, Summers, Mrs Daly.

Dance: Master Clinton, Miss Street

Event Comment: Afterpiece: Written by the Author of The Son-in-Law [John O'Keeffe]. The Overture and New Musick composed by Dr Arnold. "The same person who, in the play, performed the school-fellow of the Nabob with a great deal of nature, and original humour, here acted the part of the school-master; his name is Edwin, and he is, without doubt, one of the best actors of all that I have seen ... [He], in all his comic characters, still preserves something so inexpressibly good tempered in his countenance, that notwithstanding all his burlesques, and even grotesque buffoonery, you cannot but be pleased with him . . . Nothing could equal the tone and countenance of self-satisfaction, with which he answered one who asked him whether he was a scholar? 'Why, I was a master of scholars.' A Mrs Webb represented a cheesmonger, and played the part of a woman of the lower class, so naturally, as I have no where else ever seen equalled. Her huge, fat, and lusty carcase, and the whole of her external appearance seemed quite to be cut out for it" (Carl Philipp Moritz, Travels in England in 1782, London, 1924, pp. 73-74)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Nabob

Performance Comment: Sir Mathew Mite-Palmer; Mr Oldham-Aickin; Sir John Oldham-Usher; Touchit-Baddcley; Antiquarian-Massey; Waiter-R. Palmer; Nathan-Barrett; Moses-Pierce; Conserve-Egan; Secretary-Davis; Janus-Parsons; Putty-Edwin; Mrs Matchem-Mrs Webb; Sophy-Mrs Cuyler; Crocus-Mrs W. Palmer; Lady Oldham-Miss Sherry .
Cast
Role: Moses Actor: Pierce
Role: Mrs Matchem Actor: Mrs Webb
Role: Sophy Actor: Mrs Cuyler
Role: Crocus Actor: Mrs W. Palmer

Afterpiece Title: The Agreeable Surprise

Performance Comment: Characters by Bannister, Wilson, Wood, Webb, Egan, Stevens, Painter, Kenny, Edwin; Mrs Webb, Mrs Wells, Miss Harper. [Cast from Songs (T. Cadell, 1782): Compton-Bannister; Sir Felix Friendly-Wilson; Eugene-Wood; Chicane-Webb; John-Egan; Thomas-Stevens; Stump-Painter; Cudden-Kenny; Lingo-Edwin; Mrs Cheshire-Mrs Webb; Fringe-Mrs Poussin [see17820606; Cowslip-Mrs Wells; Laura-Miss Harper.] hathi. hathi.
Cast
Role: Mrs Cheshire Actor: Mrs Webb
Role: Fringe Actor: Mrs Poussin
Role: Cowslip Actor: Mrs Wells
Event Comment: Afterpiece: A New Farce of 2 Acts [Francis Gentleman]. Benefit for Mrs Jewell

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Orators

Performance Comment: Parts-Foote, Davis, Hamilton, LaMash, Fearon, Osborne, Bolton, Lloyd, Follett, Pierce, Francis, Weston.

Afterpiece Title: The Pantheonites

Performance Comment: Daniel Drugger(great grandson to Abel Drugger)-Weston; Sir Francis-Ward; Skinflint-Lloyd; Tillwell-Bannister; Frisseau-Jacobs; Dicky Drugger-Miss Francis; Tim Tillwell-Fearon; Anna-Miss Platt; Lissni-Miss Craven; Mrs Drugger-Mrs Williams.
Cast
Role: Mrs Drugger Actor: Mrs Williams.

Entertainment: I: A Variety of Imitations-Hutton; II: O What a Charming Thing's a Battle-Bannister; Between Play and Farce: Dancing of The Tambourine-Giorgi's Scholars; End of Interlude: A New Tambourine-Giorgi's Scholars

Monologue: 1773 9 3 Also the Interlude, Piety in Pattens. As 23 Aug

Event Comment: Mainpiece: By Particular Desire of several Persons of Quality. Garrick's New Occasional Prologue publish'd this day in the papers, ending with "Sacred to Shakespeare was this spot designed,@ To pierce the Heart and humanize the mind. But if an empty house...&c." Receipts: #15O (Cross)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Stratagem

Performance Comment: Archer-Garrick; Aimwell-Havard; Sullen-Winstone; Scrub-Woodward; Bonniface-Berry; Gibbet-Shuter; Foigard-James; Sir Charles-Blakes; Dorinda-Mrs Mills; Lady Bountiful-Mrs Cross; Cherry-Mrs Green; Mrs Sullen-Mrs Pritchard.
Cast
Role: Dorinda Actor: Mrs Mills
Role: Lady Bountiful Actor: Mrs Cross
Role: Cherry Actor: Mrs Green
Role: Mrs Sullen Actor: Mrs Pritchard.

Afterpiece Title: The Chaplet

Cast
Role: Pastora Actor: Mrs Clive

Dance: IV: By desire a Hornpipe-Mathews

Event Comment: The King's Company. Pepys, Diary: All alone to the King's playhouse, and there did happen to sit just before Mrs Pierce, Mrs Knepp, who pulled me by the hair; and so I addressed myself to them, and talked to them all the intervals of the play, and did give them fruit. The play is Brenoralt, which I do find but little in, for my part. Here was many fine ladies--among others, the German Baron, with his lady, who is envoye from the Emperour, and their fine daughter, which hath travelled all Europe over with them, it seems; and is accordingly accomplished, and indeed, is a wonderful pretty woman. Here Sir Philip Frowde, who sat next to me, did tell me how Sir H. Belasses is dead, and that the quarrel between him and Tom Porter, who is fled, did arise in the ridiculous fashion that I was first told it, which is a strange thing between two so good friends. The play being done, I took the women, and Mrs Corbett, who was with them, by coach, it raining, to Mrs Manuel's, the Jew's wife, formerly a player, who we heard sing with one of the Italians that was there; and, indeed, she sings mightily well, and just after the Italian manner, but yet do not please me like one of Mrs Knepp's songs, to a good English tune, the manner their ayre not pleasing me so well as the fashion of our own, nor so natural

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Brenoralt; Or, The Discontented Colonel

Event Comment: The King's Company. Pepys, Diary: Hearing that The Alchymist was acted, we did go, and took [Pierce] with us to the King's house; and it is still a good play, having not been acted for two or three years before; but I do miss Clun, for the Doctor. But more my eyes will not let me enjoy the pleasure I used to have in a play

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Alchymist

Performance Comment: [Downes (Roscius Anglicanus, pp. 4-5) gives a cast which probably continues to apply see December 1660 and 3 Aug. 1664] at this time: Subtil-Wintersal; Face-Mohun; Sir Epicure-Cartwright; Surly-Burt; Ananias-Lacy; Wholesome-Bateman; Dol Common-Mrs Corey; Dame Plyant-Mrs Rutter.
Cast
Role: Dol Common Actor: Mrs Corey
Role: Dame Plyant Actor: Mrs Rutter.
Event Comment: The King's Company. Pepys, Diary: To the Theatre, and Shewed [Mrs Pierce and Mrs Clifford] The Chances

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Chances

Event Comment: The King's Company, presumably. For a version of this play, see R. G. Howarth, "A Manuscript of James Shirley's Court Secret," Review of English Studies, VII (1931), 302-13. The manuscript is in the Worcester College Library (Plays 9. 21). Pepys, Diary: My wife going to-day to dine with Mrs Pierce, and thence with her and Mrs Clerke to see a new play, The Court Secret. [The play had not been acted before the Restoration.

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Court Secret

Event Comment: The King's Company. Pepys, Diary: With Sir Philip Carteret to the King's playhouse, there to see Love's Cruelty, an old play, but which I have not seen before and in the first act Orange Moll come to me, with one of the porters by my house, to tell me that Mrs Pierce and Knepp did dine at my house to-day, and that I was desired to come home. So I went out presently, and by coach home, and they were just gone away; so, after a very little stay with my wife, I took coach again, and to the King's playhouse again, and come in the fourth act; and it proves to me a very silly play, and to everybody else, as far as I could judge. But the jest is, that here telling Moll how I had lost my journey, she told me that Mrs Knepp was in the house, and so shews me to her, and I went to her, and sat out the play.... I could not but observe that Sir Philip Carteret would fain have given me my going into a play; but yet, when he come to the door, he had no money to pay for himself, I having refused to accept of it for myself, but was fain; and I perceive he is known there, and do run upon the score for plays, which is a shame.... In the pit I met with Sir Ch. North

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Love's Cruelty

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. Pepys, Diary: Mrs Pierce and her husband and I and my wife to Salisbury Court, where coming late he and she light of Col. Boone that made room for them, and I and my wife sat in the pit, and there met with Mr Lewes and Tom Whitton, and saw The Bondman done to admiration

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Bondman

Event Comment: The King's Company. Pepys, Diary, 23 Jan.: Knipp made us stay in a box and see the dancing preparatory to to-morrow for The Goblins, a play of Suckling's, not acted these twenty-five years; which was pretty. Pepys, Diary, 24 Jan.: And, anon, at about seven or eight o'clock, comes Mr Harris, of the Duke's playhouse, and brings Mrs Pierce with him, and also one dressed like a country-mayde with a straw hat on; which, at first, I could not tell who it was, though I expected Knipp: but it was she coming off the stage just as she acted this day in "The Goblins"; a merry jade

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Goblins

Event Comment: Pepys, Diary: Mrs Pierce tells me the two Marshalls at the King's house are Stephen Marshall's, the great Presbyterian's daughters [an erroneous rumor]; and that Nelly Gwin? and Beck Marshall, falling out the other day, the latter called the other my Lord Buckhurst's whore, Nell answered them, "I was but one man's whore, though I was brought up in a bawdy-house to fill strong waters to the guests; and you are a whore to three or four, though a Presbyter's praying daughter!" which was very pretty

Performances

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. Pepys, Diary: Away to my wife at the Duke of York's house, in the pit, and so left her; and to Mrs Pierce, and took her and her cozen Corbet, Knepp and little James, and brought them to the Duke's house; and, the house being full, was forced to carry them to a box, which did cost me 20s., besides oranges, which troubled me, though their company did please me. Thence, after the play, stayed till Harris was undressed, there being acted The Tempest, and so he withall, all by coach, home

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Tempest

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. Downes (p. 30): This Comedy in general was very well Perform'd. Pepys, Diary: I alone to the Duke of York's house, to see the new play, called The Man is the Master, where the house was, it being not above one o'clock, very full. But my wife and Deb. being there before, with Mrs Pierce and Corbet and Betty Turner, whom my Wife carried with her, they made me room; and there I sat, it costing me 8s. upon them in oranges, at 6d. apiece. By and by the King come; and we sat just under him, so that I durst not turn my back all the play. The play is a translation out of French, and the plot Spanish, but not anything extraordinary at all in it, though translated by Sir W. Davenant, and so I found the King and his company did think meanly of it, though there was here and there something Pretty: but the most of the mirth was sorry, poor stuffe, of eating of sack posset and slabbering themselves, and mirth fit for clownes; the prologue but poor, and the epilogue little in it but the extraordinariness of it, it being sung by Harris and another in the form of a ballet

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Man's The Master

Event Comment: The Duke's Company. Pepys, Diary: To the Duke of York's house, and there saw The Impertinents again, and with less pleasure than before, it being but a very contemptible play, though there are many little witty expressions in it; and the pit did generally say that of it. Thence, going out, Mrs Pierce called me from the gallery

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Sullen Lovers

Event Comment: Mainpiece [1st time; CO 3, by James Cobb. Text: T. N. Longman and O. Rees, 1800. Miss Waters is identified in the Songs]: The Scenes, Music, Machinery, Dresses, and Decorations are all entirely new. The Music composed by Mazzinghi and Reeve. The Scenery painted by Richards, Phillips, Lupino, Hollogan, Backmore, &c. [based on drawings of Indian scenery by Thomas Daniell]. The Machinery and Decorations by Cresswell, Sloper, Goostree, &c. The Dresses by Dick and Mrs Egan. Books of the Songs, also describing the Scenes and Spectacle of the Return from the Tiger Hunt, to be had at the Theatre, price six pence. "The whole [forms] an exhibition of the utmost grandeur...The expense attending the decoration must have been immense...The dailogue is certainly not of the first description of writing, but it forms, on the whole, a very safe vehicle for some of the best music the English stage has for some time been able to boast"(Morning Herald, 13 Nov.). Account-Book, 27 Dec.: Paid Cuthbert for Wheels, &c. for the Elephants #13 18s. Receipts: #364 7s. 6d. (363.19.6; 0.8.0)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Ramah Droog; Or, Wine Does Wonders

Performance Comment: Europeans- Incledon, Johnstone, Bologna Jun., Claremont, Clarke, Wilde, Gray, Curties, Whitmore, Blurton, Silvester,Little, Fairclough, Linton Jun., Smith, Hitchcock, Sawyer, Master Little, Master Ramage, Master Bernard, Master Platt [Miss Mitchell, Mrs Mills; Indians- [H. Johnson, Munden, Townsend, Emery, Hill, Farley, Klanert, Abbot, Thompson, Street, Russel, Tett, Linton, Everett, Oddwell, ThomasKenrick, Master Sawyer, Master Speare, Master Slape, Master Goodwin, Master Standen [Mrs Chapman, Miss Sims, Miss Gray, Miss Wheatley, Miss Walcup, Mrs Wybrow, Mrs Watts, Mrs Bologna, Mrs Iliff, Mrs Castelle, Miss Leserve, Mrs Masters, Mrs Norton, Mrs Gilbert, Mrs Whitmore, Mrs Lloyd, Miss Burnett, Mrs Blurton, A Young Lady (1st appearance on any stage [Miss Waters]); [Cast from Songs (T. Rickaby, 1798), and playbill of 24 Oct. 1799: [Europeans. Sidney-Incledon; Liffey-Johnstone; Officers-Bologna Jun., Clarke, Curties, Whitmore, Blurton, Silvester; English Prisoners-Claremont, Wilde, Gray; Eliza-Miss Mitchell; Margaret-Mrs Mills; [Indians. Zemaun-H. Johnston; Chellingoe-Munden; Holkar-Townsend; Rajah-Emery; Govinda-Hill; Officer-Farley; Guards and Attendants-Klanert, Abbot, Thompson; Soldiers-Street, Russel, Tett, Everett, Oddwell, Thomas; Indian Officer-Linton; Alminah-Mrs Chapman; Agra-Miss Sims; Orsana-Miss Gray; Women of the Zenana-Miss Wheatley, Miss Walcup, Mrs Wybrow, Mrs Watts, Mrs Bologna, Mrs Iliff, Mrs Castelle, Miss Leserve, Mrs Masters, Mrs Norton, Mrs Gilbert, Mrs Whitmore, Mrs Lloyd, Miss Burnett, Mrs Blurton; Zelma-Miss Waters. [Little-Master Platt, Kenrick-Master Standen are unassigned.]

Afterpiece Title: The Ghost

Entertainment: Procession. End II: A Return from a Tiger Hunt- [, to the Rajah's Palace, representing the Rajah on an Elephant, returning from Hunting the Tiger, preceded by his Hircarrahs, or military Messengers, and his State Palanquin-the Vizier on another Elephant-the Princess in a Gaurie, drawn by Buffaloes-the Rajah is attended by his Fakeer, or Soothsayer, his Officers of State, and by an Ambassador from Tippoo Sultaun in a Palanquin; also by Nairs (or Soldiers from the South of India), Poligars (or Inhabitants of the Hilly Districts), with their Hunting-dogs, other Indians carrying a dead Tiger, and young Tigers in a Cage; a number of Seapoys-Musicians on Camels and on Foot-Dancing Girls. [This was included in all subsequent performances.

Event Comment: Mainpiece: 32nd Night [i.e. in continuation, erroneously, of the reckoning for the preceding season, when it was acted 28 times]. With new Music, Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. The Music (with a few Exceptions) composed entirely new by Shield. And new Scenery designed and chiefly executed by Richards. Books of the Songs to be had at the Theatre. "Covent-garden is the National Theatre. I was there on 10th Dec. and saw an opera called The Woodman. It was the very day on which the life story of Madam Billington, both from the good as well as from the bad sides was announced [i.e. Memoirs of Mrs Billington, and An Answer to the Memoirs of Mrs Billington, both anonymous, both predated 1792]...She sang rather timidly this evening, but very well all the same. The first tenor [Incledon] has a good voice and quite a good style, but he uses the falsetto to excess. He sang a trill on high C and ran up to G. The 2nd tenor [Johnstone] tries to imitate him, but could not make the change from the falsetto to the natural voice, and apart from that is most unmusical...But the cast is entirely used to him. The leader is Herr Baumgartner [sic], a German who, however, has almost forgotten his mother-tongue. The Theatre is very dark and dirty, and is almost as large as the Vienna Court Theatre. The common people in the galleries of all the theatres are very impertinent; they set the fashion with all their unrestrained impetuosity, and whether something is repeated or not is determined by their yells. The parterre and all the boxes sometimes have to applaud a great deal to have something good repeated. That was just what happened this evening, with the Duet in the 3rd Act, which was very beautiful; and the pro's and contra's went on for nearly a quarter of an hour, till finally the parterre and the boxes won, and they repeated the Duet. Both the performers stood on the stage quite terrified, first retiring, then again coming forward. The orchestra is sleepy" (Haydn, 273-74). Receipts: #194 11s. (191.8; 3.3)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Woodman

Performance Comment: [Principal Characters-Quick, Johnstone, Darley, Blanchard, Incledon, Gray, Cross, Mrs Martyr, Mrs Webb, Miss Barnett, Mrs Billington (with additional music)Together let us range the fields (Crouch, II, 129), a duet with Incledon; Se ti perdo (see17920522); Court me not to scenes of pleasure (BUC, 1089)]; (1st appearance in this opera); Rest of the Vocal Parts-Mrs Mountain, Miss Broadhurst, Mrs Harlowe, Miss Stuart, Mrs Watts, Miss Francis, Mrs Arnold, Mrs Davenett, Mrs Bock, Mrs Cross, Mrs Powell, Mrs Gray, Mrs Masters, Mrs Platt, Mrs Ratchford, Mrs Byrne, Miss Leserve. [Cast adjusted from text (T. Cadell, 1791): Sir Walter Waring-Quick; Capt. O'Donnel-Johnstone; Fairlop-Darley; Medley-Blanchard; Wilford-Incledon; Bob-Gray; Filbert-Cross; Dolly-Mrs Martyr; Miss Di Clackit-Mrs Webb; Polly-Miss Barnett; Emily-Mrs Billington; Kitty Maple-Miss Stuart; Bridget-Mrs Cross.

Afterpiece Title: Modern Antiques

Cast
Role: Mrs Camomile Actor: Miss Chapman
Role: Belinda Actor: Mrs Harlowe
Role: Flounce Actor: Mrs Rock
Role: Nan Actor: Mrs Cross
Role: Mrs Cockletop Actor: Mrs Mattocks.