Event Comment: By Permission of the Lord Chamberlain. Benefit for the Author. Play [1st time; T 5]: Written by the Rev. [Thomas] Stratford. The Doors to be opened at 6:00. To begin at 7:00. Boxes 5s. Pit 3s. 1st Gallery 2s. Upper Gallery 1s. Tickets to be had of Dr Stratford, No. 5, Cecil-street, Strand, and of Fosbrook at the Theatre. Dr Stratford, in the overflowing of a grateful heart, is happy indeed in returning thanks to the Ladies and Gentlemen who, with equal benignity and humanity, have so generously exerted themselves in bringing forward his tragedy of Russel. Above the mean manoeuvres that have been practised by persons he had the least reason to expect such a conduct from, and which have detained him almost three years in London, at a ruinous expense, he went with a party of his friends, on Wednesday last, to the Hay-market, in support of the other Lord Russel, penned by superior genius. As he never injured an individual, he trusts every intention to defeat the success of his play will be disappointed by a generous London audience who, he still presumes to hope, will be actuated by the same noble spirit and principle that first induced the Lady and Gentleman to undertake so arduous a task as appearing on a public theatre. As many parts of the play will be expunged and altered, he begs leave to mention that it cannot be again represented till Wednesday next, when the characters of Lord Howard and Hubert will be performed by two other Gentlemen, who have generously undertaken their parts, and an entire new address will be spoken by the Gentleman who performs Lord Russel, wrote by himself. "The performers ... rendered the Doctor's Tragedy one of the most laughable farces at which we were ever present. [It] has much Calimanco in it, and where we could hear a sentence compleat (which was seldom indeed) it abounded with Fustian" (Public Advertiser, 21 Aug.)
Performances
Mainpiece Title: Lord Russel
Performance Comment: Characters are as follows: King Charles II, James Duke of York, Earl of Bedford, Lord Russel, Algernon Sidney, Lord Howard, Sir George Jefferies, Father Peters, Hubert, Lieutenant of the Tower; Lady Russel. Which are kindly undertaken to be represented by Ladies and Gentlemen, who never performed on any Stage. [Cast from text (no pub. [c. 1794]): King Charles II-Capt. Harriett (of the Navy); James Duke of York-Hyanson (a Yorkshire Attorney, Brother to Mrs McNally); Earl of Bedford-Laurence [sic] (Father to the celebrated Painter); Lord Russel-Horne (of the Temple); Algernon Sidney-another Laurence (not the Painter); Lord Howard of Eserick-Supple; Sir George Jefferies-A Young Lawyer of the Temple; Father Peters-Major Sykes; Hubert, Preceptor to Lord Russel-Henry Lucas, Esq. (Son of the late celebrated Dr Lucas) (who also wrote and spoke the Prologue); Kirk, Lieutenant of the Tower-Elliot; Lady Russel-Mrs Batiere (who also wrote and spoke the Epilogue).] Before the Play an occasional Address, written and to be spoken in Character, by a Gentleman who performs a principal Part [Lucas]. A Prologue, written by the Author [speaker unknown]. An Epilogue, written and to be spoken by the Lady who performs the Character of Lady Russel [Mrs Batiere]. No afterpiece performed on this night, or on 25, 27, 28 Aug . Before the Play an occasional Address, written and to be spoken in Character, by a Gentleman who performs a principal Part [Lucas]. A Prologue, written by the Author [speaker unknown]. An Epilogue, written and to be spoken by the Lady who performs the Character of Lady Russel [Mrs Batiere]. No afterpiece performed on this night, or on 25, 27, 28 Aug .Related Works
Related Work: Lord Russel Author(s): William Hayley