Event Comment: [
Henderson's 1st appearance on the stage was as
Hamlet, at
Bath, 6 Oct. 1772. In I.iv "after the short ejaculation of 'Angels
and ministers of grace, defend us!' he endeavoured to conquer that fear
and terror into which he was naturally thrown by the first sight of the vision,
and uttered the remainder of the address calmly, but respectfully,
and with a firm tone of voice, as from one who had subdued his timidity
and apprehension" (Davies, III, 30). "
Palmer's
Ghost would have been more in character had he given less into the rant of declamation
and the bustle of stage action, which accord not with our ideas of a supernatural being; his crying, likewise, at the recital of his murder, was childish,
and destroyed the solemnity of the scene' (
Morning Post, 27 June).
Performances
Mainpiece Title: Hamlet
Performance Comment: Hamlet-Henderson (1st appearance in that character [in London]); King-Fearon; Horatio-Davies; Rosencraus-Stevens; Guildenstern-Egan; Polonius-Edwin; Laertes-Aickin; Player@King-Griffiths; Lucianus-Blissett; Osrick-R. Palmer; Gravediggers-Parsons, Massey; Ghost-Palmer; Ophelia-Mrs Hitchcock; Player@Queen-Mrs Poussin; Queen-Mrs Hunter.Afterpiece Title: Polly Honeycombe