SELECT * FROM london_stages WHERE MATCH('(@(authnameclean,perftitleclean,commentcclean,commentpclean) "TThe Queen"/1) | (@(roleclean,performerclean) "TThe Queen")') 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 1185 matches on Performance Title, 1127 matches on Performance Comments, 517 matches on Event Comments, 0 matches on Author, and 0 matches on Roles/Actors.
Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Pope. Public Advertiser, 22 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Miss Pope, Great Queen-street, Lincoln's Inn fields. Receipts: #259 9s. (90.16; 18.13; 0.11; tickets: 149.9) (charge: #109 18s. 2d.)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The School For Scandal

Afterpiece Title: Comus

Event Comment: By Command of Her Majesty. [This was the first time that members of the royal family had appeared in public since the beginning of the King's illness (his first attack of insanity) in November 1788. See also 21, 24 Apr.] The drop curtain with the King's arms on it shown when the front curtain first rose was the "original curtain exhibited on the opening of Lincoln's Inn Fields theatre [in 1714]...It has lain by in the scene-room of Covent-Garden theatre nearly seventy years, but was rescued from oblivion, retouched, and the appropriate ornaments added for the occasion" (Public Advertiser, 16 Apr.). On the Queen's entrance "the house called for God save the King, and the theatre being prepared, the song was immediately sung by Bannister, Johnstone, and Darley, the house joining in the chorus. It was encored...At the end of the play [it] was again called for, and again sung twice. At the end of the pantomime it was again called for; and the theatre not sending forward the performers, the audience cheerfully sung it for themselves; and having sung, they encored themselves; so that altogether it was sung six times in the course of the evening. Her Majesty had a bandeau of black velvet, on which were set in diamonds the words 'Long live the king.' The princesses had bandeaus of white satin, and 'Long live the king' in gold" (Universal Magazine, Apr. 1789, p. 218). Receipts: #388 16s. 6d. (385.12.0; 3.4.6)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: He Wou'd Be A Soldier

Afterpiece Title: Aladin

Event Comment: By Command of Their Majesties. To prevent Confusion Ladies and Gentlemen are requested to send their Servants to keep Places by Half past Four o'Clock. God save the King was sung "by the performers and by the audience five times: twice on the entrance of the King and Queen, once after the Play, twice after the Farce" (World, 19 Dec.). And see 23 Apr. 1790. Account-Book: In the Pit of this Night 525 Persons, this is the greatest Number ever remembered to be in at any One Time. R. P. [i.e. Richard Peake, sub-treasurer]. Receipts: #290 11s. 6d. (279.13.0; 9.18.6; 1.0.0)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Haunted Tower

Afterpiece Title: Who's the Dupe

Dance: As17891204

Event Comment: Afterpiece [1st time; P 2 (?), author unknown. Not in Larpent MS; not published]: Consisting of the most Approved Scenes of the following Pantomimes: The Witches, The Cauldron, The Genii, Fortunatus, Queen Mab, The Elopement, &c. The Music from Eminent Masters. The Scenes by Greenwood. [This is not the same as the pantomime of the same name acted at cg, 26 Dec. 1776.] [In mainpiece the playbill retains Barrymore as Claudio, but "Benson [was] the substitute of Barrymore in Claudio" (London Chronicle, 28 Dec.). Dubois, in the afterpiece, was from Sadler's Wells.] Receipts: #217 4s. 6d. (186.9.0; 28.16.6; 1.19.0)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Much Ado About Nothing

Afterpiece Title: Harlequin's Frolicks; or, The Power of Witchcraft

Dance: In II: As17891209; Afterpiece conclude: Grand Ballet-the young D'Egvilles, Miss Blanchet, Miss DeCamp [which was included, as here assigned, in all subsequent performances]

Song: As17891209

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Pope. [In 2nd piece the playbill retains Kemble as Doricourt, and Whitfield as Villers, but "I was ill; Whitfield played my Part" (Kemble Mem.). For Phillimore as Villers see 27 May.] Gazetteer, 7 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Miss Pope, Great Queen-street. Receipts: #262 9s. 6d. (108.2.0; 20.11.6; 0.15.0; tickets: 133.1.0) (charge: #116 6s. 4d.)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Easter Pastimes

Afterpiece Title: The Belle's Stratagem

Afterpiece Title: The Pannel

Performances

Mainpiece Title: All For Love; Or, The World Well Lost

Performance Comment: Marc Antony (Emperor of Rome)-Holman; Ventidius (the Roman General)-Harley (Their 1st appearance in those characters); Dollabella-Farren; Alexas-Davies; Serapion (Priest of Isis)-Hull; Cleopatra (Queen of Egypt)-Miss Brunton; Octavia (for that night only)-Mrs Pope (Their 1st appearance in those characters).

Afterpiece Title: An Harmonic Festival

Afterpiece Title: Rosina

Song: End II: a Nicketerotion at the Meeting of Antony and Cleopatra-; Vocal Parts-Bannister, Johnstone, Darley, Duffey, Mrs Warrell, Mrs Masters, Mrs Gray, Mrs Mountain

Dance: With Grand Dance-Byrne, the two Miss Simonets

Event Comment: Benefit for Mme Mara. A new Grand Serious Opera, composed by Sarti. Under the direction of Mazzinghi. With new Scenes, Dresses, and Decorations. Tickets, half a guinea each, to be had of Mme Mara, No. 25, Queen Ann-street, East

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Idalide

Dance: End I: Amphion et Thalie, as17910409nd Opera: Telemachus in the Island of Calypso [See17910322

Song: additional Songs-Mme Mara; accompanied by the Pedal Harp-

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Pope. Mainpiece: Not acted these 14 years [acted 1 June 1786]. Public Advertiser, 14 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Miss Pope, No. 62, Great Queen-street. Receipts: #264 19s. (91.6; 28.3; 4.2; tickets: 141.8) (charge: #121 4s. 10d.)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Recruiting Officer

Afterpiece Title: Don Juan

Event Comment: Benefit for Harley. Mainpiece: As altered from Beaumont and Fletcher by the Duke of Buckingham and D. Garrick, Esq. Not acted these 7 years. Morning Chronicle, 20 May: Tickets to be had of Harley, No. 22, Great Queen-street, Lincoln's-inn-fields. Receipts: #242 1s. 6d. (84.10.6; 7.5.0; tickets: 150.6.0)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Chances

Afterpiece Title: Love in a Camp

Dance: As17901204

Song: End I: The Group of Lovers-Munden; End II: a favourite Sea Song-Incledon

Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Pope. 1st piece: Not acted these 8 years [acted 8 Nov. 1788]. 3rd piece: To conclude as 3 Oct. 1791. Morning Herald, 24 Mar.: Tickets to be had of Miss Pope, No.62, Great Queen-street, Lincoln's Inn-fields. Receipts: #336 19s. (95.15.6; 35.7.0; 2.15.0; tickets: 203.1.6) (charge: #168 4s.)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Double Gallant

Afterpiece Title: The Court of Apollo [i

Afterpiece Title: The Critic

Event Comment: Benefit for Harley. 1st piece: In Three Acts. Morning Herald, 7 May: Tickets to be had of Harley, No. 51, Great Queen-street, Lincoln's-inn-fields. Receipts: #308 14s. 6d. (104.2.0; 6.13.6; tickets: 197.19.0) (charge: #105)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Comedy Of Errors

Afterpiece Title: Three Weeks after Marriage

Afterpiece Title: Comus

Dance: As17920410

Song: End II 1st piece: a new Comic Song, The Ups and Downs of Life-Munden; in 3rd piece: Give me Wine rosy Wine, Nor on beds of fading flowers-Incledon

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Alexander's Feast; Grand Selection 0

Afterpiece Title: A Grand Miscellaneous Act

Performance Comment: Overture-(Ariadne); Captivity (supposed to be sung by the unfortunate Maria Antoinette, Queen of France, during her confinement in the Tower of the Temple) [composed by Storace]-Mrs Crouch; Jehovah crowned-Incledon; He comes-Chorus (Esther); Mad Bess (composed by Purcell)-Mme Mara; Disdainful of danger-Incledon, Kelly, Reynolds (Judas Maccabaeus); He layeth the beams-Bartleman (Ezio); But bright Cecilia, As from the power-Mme Mara; The dead shall live-Chorus (Dryden's Ode); God save Great George our King, To Arms, Britons strike home-Chorus (Purcell).

Music: End II oratorio: concerto on the violin-Mme Gautherot

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Inkle And Yarico

Performance Comment: As17930425, but Yarico (with a song to the music of Queen Mary's Lamentation, and a celebrated air from Paisiello)-Mrs Clendining (1st appearance in that character).

Afterpiece Title: The Soldier's Festival

Afterpiece Title: The Poor Soldier

Music: End: a concerto of his own composition, on the Grand Piano Forte-King (1st appearance in public)

Event Comment: Benefit for Mme Mara. Public Advertiser 22 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Mme Mara, No. 25, Queen Anne-street, East. Receipts: #216 4s. 6d. (114.17.6; 28.11.0; 2.18.0; tickets: 69.18.0) (charge: #163 17s. 6d.)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: At King's Artaxerxes

Afterpiece Title: The Pannel

Song: the favourite Harp Song-Mme Mara [Ah che nel petto io sento]; accompanied-Meyer Jun

Event Comment: [The playbill announces the performances for this evening as by command of Their Majesties, but "The melancholy tidings of the death of the Queen of France prevented the royal visit" (Thespian Magazine, Dec. 1793, p. 357).) Receipts: #392 13s. (383/11; 9/2)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: Lovers' Quarrels

Afterpiece Title: HARTFORD BRIDGE

Afterpiece Title: HARLEQUIN'S CHAPLET

Entertainment: As17931002

Event Comment: Directors of the Oratorios: Linley and Storace. Among the Principal Instrumental Performers are Ashe, W. Parke, Parkinson, Mason, Flack, Ashbridge, &c. Boxes 6s. Pit 3s. 6d. Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. No Money to be returned. Books of the performance to be had at the Theatre. [This was the 1st performance held in the new DL theatre]. Under the Management of Mr Kemble. The Box Office, for the present, is in Little Russell-Street, opposite to the Theatre, where Boxes and Places are to be taken of Fosbrook. The Box Doors are in Little Russell Street and Woburn Street. The whole of the Avenues [into the theatre], and the New Street ["which is intended to be called Woburn-street" (Carlton House Magazine, Apr. 1794, p. 136); see next paragraph] not being yet complete, Ladies and Gentlemen are particularly requested to direct their Coachmen to set down in Little Russell Street (where alone the Carriage Box Doors are at present) with the Horses heads toward Covent Garden, which is the only line in which Carriages can be permitted to pass. Carriages wanting to draw up after the performance should be headed to range in Drury Lane, toward Long Acre and Great Queen Street. The Chair Doors and Footway are in the Court in Woburn Street, where for the accomodation of those who may wish to have their Carriages wait out of the Croud, Chairs belonging to the Theatre and under proper regulations will attend. In order to keep the Colonnades quite clear no Servants can be permitted to wait there, but those belonging to the Carriages actually drawn up before the Pillars, and no Servants whatever can be permitted to pass the Doors of the Lower Saloon. Pit Door. The Temporary Pit Passage is in the center of the Theatre, in Bridges Street, which leads to a Spacious Saloon, which will be opened One Hour before the opening of the Pit Doors. All Carriages for the Pit Door are to wait in Catherine Street, or York-Street, to take up with the Horses heads towards Little Russel Street, and to pass through Great Russel-Street. Gallery Doors. The Gallery Doors, for Admittance, are in Little Russell-Street, and Woburn-Street, but, after the commencement of the Performance, the Gallery Doors, for the present can be only in Woburn Street. Every proper precaution is taken to prevent Croud and Inconvenience at the several Passages. The Doors to be opened at 5:15. To begin at 6:30 [same throughout oratorio season]. "The Orchestra represented the inside of a Gothic Cathedral [designed by Capon], and the Chorus Singers paid that attention to their attire that rendered the stage respectable. The house is so constructed that every note was distinctly heard at the remotest part of the theatre . . . The audience are so near the performers that the movement of every muscle is seen; a matter essentially necessary, particularly to the exhibition of an English Drama." [This opinion is greatly at variance with that of other commentators on the construction, the acoustics, &c. of the new theatre.] (European Magazine, Mar. 1794, p. 236). "The stage for the oratorios resembles a Gothic Cathedral, with illuminated stained glass windows, &c. The flies . . . [are] carved like the fretted roof of an antique pile, and the wings to the side scenes are removed for a complete screen, like those in use at the foreign theatres." (Thespian Magazine, Mar. 1794, p. 127). Account-Book, 12 Mar.: Paid Cabanel building Stage, on Acct. #130; Capon, painter, on Acct. #61 12s. Receipts: #358 6s. (281/2; 243 tickets sold by Fosbrook: 72/18; 4/6)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: A Grand Selection Of Sacred Music From The Works Of Handel

Performances

Mainpiece Title: A Grand Selection Of Sacred Music From The Works Of Handel

Performance Comment: Principal Vocal Performers, Leader, Organ as17940307ART I. Overture (BERENICE). Come ever smiling (JUDAS MACCABAEUS). Tears such as tender (DEBORAH). For unto us a child (THE MESSIAH). Grateful hearts (NABAL). Sweep the strings; Music spread thy Voice (SOLOMON). Every day will I ([CHANDOS] ANTHEMS). For joys so vast; Happy they (JEPHTHA). From the censer (SOLOMO). PART II. Fourth Organ Concerto. Together let us range ([SOLOMON] by Boyce). The trumpet's loud; The double beat (DRYDEN'S ODE). He was eyes [SIROE]. He led tbrm thro' (ISRAEL IN EGYPT). Ye sons of Israel [JOSHUA]. Weep, Israel, weep; Go, baffled coward (SAMSON). For the Lord (THE MESSIAH). PART III. Fifth Grand Concerto. O liberty (JUDAS MACCABAEUS). Let the bright; Awake the trumpets (SAMSON). O beauteous Queen (ESTHER). Mad Bess by Mme Mara (Purcell). How willing (SAMSON). But bright Cecilia; As from; The dead shall live (DRYDEN'S ODE). To conclude with God save Great George our King and Rule Britannia .

Music: End of Part II concerto on the organ by J. Ashley

Performances

Mainpiece Title: A Grand Selection Of Music Chiefly From The Works Of Handel

Performance Comment: Principal Vocal Performers as17940319eader as17940312ART I. Overture (ESTHER). He smote all the first born by Chorus (ISRAEL IN EGYPT). Sin not O King! by Mrs Bland (SAUL). Call forth thy powers by Kelly (JUDAS MACCABAEUS). Fix'd in his everlasting seat by Chorus (SAMSON). What though I trace by Mrs Crouch (SOLOMON). Pleasure my by Harrison (TIME AND TRUTH). Fall'n is the foe by Chorus (JUDAS MACCABAEUS). Praise the Lord by Sga Storace (ESTHER). Lord in thee by Kelly and Chorus (TE DEUM). PART II. When the ear heard [singer not listed] (FUNERAL ANTHEMS). He deliver'd the poor by Chorus. Dead March (SAUL). The Soldier tir'd by Sga Storace. My faith and truth by Miss Leak and Master Welsh (SAMSON). The praise of Bacchus by Dignum; Bacchus ever fair by Meredith and Chorus (ALEXANDER'S FEAST). Like a bright Cherub by Sga Storace, Mrs Bland, Harrison (GIDEON). Prophetic visions by Master Welsh (OCCASIONAL ORATORIO). Let their celestial concerts all unite by Chorus (SAMSON). PART III. Awake the trumpet by Chorus (SAMSON). Tears such as tender Fathers by Meredith (DEBORAH). Donald by Sga Storace (Scotch Air). The many rend the skies by Chorus (ALEXANDER'S FEAST). The Mansion of Peace by Harrison. From mighty Kings by Mrs Crouch; Sound an alarm by Kelly and Chorus (JUDAS MACCABAEUS). Queen Mary's Lamentation by Miss Leak. May balmy peace by Master Welsh. From the censer by Chorus (SOLOMON) .

Music: In Part II concerto on the violin by Giornovichi

Performances

Mainpiece Title: A Grand Selection Of Sacred

Music: Principal Vocal Performers, Leader, Organ as17940307ART I. As17940326but added: He was eyes unto the blind; also O worse than death; Angels ever bright (THEODORA); omitted: Grateful hearts; For joys so vast; Happy they. PART II. As17940326but 6th violin concerto (composed by Giardini) by G. Ashley in place of Fourth Organ Concerto; added: Sweet Bird, accompanied on the violin by G. Ashley (L'ALLEGRO); also He rebuked the Red Sea (ISRAEL IN EGYPT); also In sweetest harmony; O fatal day (SAUL); omitted: He was eyes; He led them thro'; Ye sons of Israel; Weep, Israel, weep. PART III. As17940326but added to O liberty: accompanied on the violoncello by C. Ashley; to Let the bright: accompanied on the trumpet by Sarjant; also Sin not O King (SAUL); also So when the last (DRYDEN'S ODE); omitted: O beauteous Queen; The dead shall live

Performance Comment: As17940326but added: He was eyes unto the blind; also O worse than death; Angels ever bright (THEODORA); omitted: Grateful hearts; For joys so vast; Happy they. PART II. As17940326but 6th violin concerto (composed by Giardini) by G. Ashley in place of Fourth Organ Concerto; added: Sweet Bird, accompanied on the violin by G. Ashley (L'ALLEGRO); also He rebuked the Red Sea (ISRAEL IN EGYPT); also In sweetest harmony; O fatal day (SAUL); omitted: He was eyes; He led them thro'; Ye sons of Israel; Weep, Israel, weep. PART III. As17940326but added to O liberty: accompanied on the violoncello by C. Ashley; to Let the bright: accompanied on the trumpet by Sarjant; also Sin not O King (SAUL); also So when the last (DRYDEN'S ODE); omitted: O beauteous Queen; The dead shall live .
Event Comment: Mainpiece: In Act I The Cardinal's Banquet. In Act II The Court for the Trial of Queen Katharine. In Act V a Grand Procession to the Christening of Princess Elizabeth. Paid Charles Smith on Acct. of Upholders Work at Drury Lane Theatre #400. Powell: Henry VIII rehearsed at 10 (for Packer, lame, and Mrs Siddons); Siege of Belgrade music at 12 (for Storace, Bannister Jun., Crouch, Davis, Danby). The Iron Curtain being finish'd was this Evening exhibited for the first Time with the Epilogue [and see 21 Apr.]. "On the 24th February, 1809, this theatre was burnt down . . . Every care had been taken to guard against such a calamity. Two large reservoirs for water, on the top of the house, happened, unfortunately, at this crisis to be empty; and an iron curtain, intended to separate the auditory from the stage, for the purpose of saving a part of the edifice in case of conflagration, was, with its machinery, so much out of order as to be useless; it was, in fact, utterly immoveable" (Brayley, p. 8). Receipts: #451 8s. 6d. (389/4/0; 56/5/0; 4/6/6; tickets not come in: 1/13/0)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: King Henry The Eighth

Performance Comment: King Henry-Palmer; Cardinal Wolsey-Bensley; Campeius-Packer; Capucius-Phillimore; Cranmer-Aickin; D. of Norfolk-Whitfield; D. of Buckingham-Wroughton; Duke of Suffolk-Caulfield; Earl of Surry-Barrymore; L. Chancellor-Maddocks; L. Chamberlain-Trueman; Gardiner-Suett; Lord Sands-Baddeley; Sir Henry Guilford-Bland; Sir ThomasLovell-Dignum; Cromwell-C. Kemble; Dr Butts-Waldron; Surveyor-Benson; Brandon-Banks; Serieant-Lyons; Cryer-Evans; Doorkeeper-Jones//Queen Katharine-Mrs Siddons; Anne Bullen-Mrs Powell; Gentlewoman-Mrs Booth; Patience (with a song)-Mrs Bland; Agatha-Miss Collins. Prologue, Epilogue as17940421.

Afterpiece Title: THE CHILDREN IN THE WOOD

Event Comment: By Permission of the Lord Chamberlain. Benefit for the Gentleman who performs the Part of Zanga [in THE REVENGE], and Mr and Mrs Simpson. Mainpiece: Written by the celebrated Dr Young, Author of the Night Thoughts, &c. Afterpiece: As an After-piece [i.e. reduced from 5 to 3 (?) acts]. The Doors to be opened at 5:30. To begin at 6:30. Tickets to be had of Longman and Broderip, Cheapside and Haymarket; Pass, No. 53, High Holborn; Bland's Music Warehouse, No. 45, High Holborn; Strutt, Bookseller, No. 20, Little Queen-street, Lincoln's Inn Fields; Ellwick, Musical Instrument Maker, No. 55, Long Acre, comer of Phoenix O>urt; Padbury, Coal Merchant, No. 24, Henrietta-street, Covent Garden; Evan, Bookseller, No. 351, near the Pantheon, Oxford Road; and of Simpson, at No. 33, St. Martin's-street, Leicester-square

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Revenge

Afterpiece Title: THE CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS

Music: In the Course of the Evening several Pieces on the Union Pipes and Pedal Harp by Courtney and Weippert

Monologue: 1794 06 02 After the Epilogue Jacob Gawkey's Rambles tbrougb Bath by Simpson

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Fair Penitent

Afterpiece Title: Hercules and Omphale

Performance Comment: Morning Chronicle, 19 Nov., notes that the Principal parts-Incledon, Quick, Munden, Fawcett, Mrs Martyr, Mrs Mountain; Part I. The Piece commences with a View of Omphale's Palace; Omphale, Queen of Lydia, seated on her Throne, surrounded by Virgins--The Princes of Dacia and Mycoene send Ambassadors, each demanding her hand in marriage--then follows the Magnificent Entry of the Two Princes; Dacians: Dacian Soldiers bearing Spears, Trophies of Armour, Egyptians bearing Presents, Musician, Dacian Officers with Trophies, The Prince of Dacia borne in a Triumphal Car drawn by War-Horses in compleat Armour. Mycoeneans: Mycoenean Officers with Swords and Shields, Armour Bearer, Women bearing Presents, Numidians with Presents, Martial Music, The Prince of Mycoene drawn in a Triumphal Car by Horses richly caparisoned. The Procession over, a Pyrrhic Dance takes place, when Thunder is heard--Jove's Eagle descends, bearing a Festoon with this inscription, "Hercules is doomed the Slave of Omphale"--Hercules enters cloathed in the hide of Nemean Lion, attended by Iolaus--he offers Presents to Omphale--she receives them with tenderness-The Princes renew their suit, which she rejects, after which Omphale, Hercules, and the Princes retire different ways. Omphale in the absence of Hercules orders her +Nymphs to prepare for the Chace. This is succeeded by The Cave of Cacus. This famous Robber (a monster with three heads) who had desolated the adjacent country, hearing the sound of horns, lays in wait for his prey--the rival Princes are seen passing thro' the trees--Omphale and her train appear returning from the Chace--The Princes retire and plan to seize her-Cacus enters and forces her into the cave--the Princes with their Attendants attempt to seize Hercules, who for some time defends himself against their united force; nearly va quished he prays to Jupiter, when a Storm arises, thunder, lightning, hail, fire, and massey stones are seen to descend--Hercules gains the Mouth of the Cavern, and thus defends himself from the Storm and his Assailants--Screams are heard within the Cavern--the Prince of Dacia bearing off Omphale, the Prince of Mycoene forces her from him, and after slaying the Prince of Dacia, escapes with his conquest--the Tempest ceases--Hercules and Cacus come from the Cave, a Combat ensues, in which Hercules vanquishes the Robber--He then pursues the Prince of Mycoene, and is informed by Iolaus, that Omphale is shut up in the city of Mycoene--Catapultas, Battering Rams, are prepared, and the Scene changes to The Town and Fortifications of Mycoene. Hercules at the head of his Army summons it to surrender--the Prince brings Omphale on the Battlements bound in Chains-The Battering Ram and all the Implements of War are brought in Action against the City--the Besieged defend themselves by hurling huge stones on the heads of their Assailants--the Soldiers form the Tortoise back with their shields, by which Hercules mounts the walls--his Army enter the city with Firebrands--Hercules bears away the gates upon his shoulders--the City is seen in flames--Hercules pursues the Prince to the summit of a Mountain, seizes and dashes him into the Sea--he releases Omphale, and bears her off in triumph. Part II. A Magnificent Hall in Omphale's Palace. Hercules enters with Omphale, fatigued with the toils of Battle, she leaves him to repose--when asleep, Omphale returns, and kneeling to a Statue of Cupid, the Figure receives animation--She implores him to inspire the breast of Hercules with Love-Cupid changes the Club of Hercules for a Shepherd's Brook, his Arrows to Wreaths of Roses--Cupid calls on the Pleasures--their train surround the Sopha of Hercules, bearing Vases, Medallions, Baskets of Flowers, Wreaths of Roses--They form a groupe--when Cupid brings forth Omphale and places her by his side--He then waves his Bow and discovers The Garden of Love, in which Juno, attended by Mercury and Hymen, descend the Stage, and Clouds dispersing, discover The Temple of Juno. Juno joins the hands of Hercules and Omphale, and orders Hymen to prepare the Marriage Ceremony. This is succeeded by a Brand Hymeneal Procession: Four Amazons with Bows and Arrows, Four Nymphs bearing two Cornucopias, Four Giants bearing Rocks, Two White Bulls decorated for Sacrifice, Eight Priestesses bearing Instruments of Sacrifice, Twelve Children playing on Lutes, Harps, The Altar drawn by White Bulls richly decorated, Sixteen Priests of the Temple of Juno, The High Priest. After which the Ceremony commences--this is interspersed With Dances by Nymphs, Graces, Love. Hymen joins their Hands--the Cupids crown them with Wreaths, and the Piece concludes.
Event Comment: Benefit for Miss Pope. [Mainpiece: Epilogue by Richard Brinsley Sheridan.]Afterpiece: Not acted these 2 years. Morning Chronicle, 17 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Miss Pope, No. 9, Great Queen-street, Lincoln's-Inn-Fields. Receipts: #402 2s. (144.16.0; 76.3.6; 1.12.6; tickets: 179.10.0) (charge: #211 1s. 8d.)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: The Rivals

Afterpiece Title: The Spoil'd Child

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

Afterpiece Title: My Grandmother

Cast
Role: Sir Matthew Medley Actor: Maddocks

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: Benefit for Miss Pope. 2nd piece: Written by David Garrick, Esq. Morning Herald, 23 Apr.: Tickets to be had of Miss Pope, No. 63, Great Queen-street, Lincoln's Inn Fields. Receipts: #367 8s. 6d. (127.15.0; 62.1.0; 9.17.6; tickets: 167.8.0; odd money: 0.7.0) (charge: #210 16s.)

Performances

Mainpiece Title: First Love

Afterpiece Title: A Much Admired Scene from Harlequin's Invasion

Afterpiece Title: The Virgin Unmask'd

Entertainment: Monologue.End: Paraphrase on Shakespeare's Seven Ages, as17960429