Their Majesties' Servants. Annals of the English Stage (Volume 2 of 3). Doran John. Читать онлайн. Newlib. NEWLIB.NET

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in the theatre till March 1691.

8

See previous note.

9

Chetwood says sixty pounds.

10

It was apparently the same salary as Betterton's.

11

Chetwood says that he commanded a troop in the King's army.

12

In the 2d edition Dr. Doran adds: – "He was not altogether original; for the Tatler, in 1710, advises him to 'wholly forget Mr. Betterton, for that he failed in no part of Othello but when he has him in view.' Thomson says of him, as the hero in Sophonisba, 'Whatever was designed as amiable and engaging in Masinissa, shines out in Mr. Wilks's action.'"

13

"5 Oct. 1732. Robert Wilks in the Church on the north side of the north aisle, under the pews Nos. 9 and 10" (Reg. Burials, St. Paul, Covent Garden). —Doran MS.

14

This should be "playing Hamlet to Booth's Ghost," which makes all speculations whether Booth played Hamlet or not unnecessary. In point of fact, I do not think he ever did.

15

Dr. Doran adds, in the 2d edition: "A writer in the Prompter, however, says that Booth would have been too solemn for the lighter parts of Hamlet, 'if he had ever played the character.' Wilks's Hamlet was good only in the light and gayer portions, and in the scene in which at Ophelia's feet, Hamlet watches the king, Wilks's reading was perfection. In 'I say away! – Go on; I'll follow thee!' he addressed the whole line to the Ghost with a flourish of his sword; whereas, the first three words should be spoken to the two friends who struggle to keep him from following the apparition."

16

Queen Caroline (2d edition).

17

Caroline Dorothea (2d edition).

18

Bridgewater, not Mrs. Bridgewater.

19

Should be 26th September.

20

It would be more accurate to say that she played several "breeches" parts.

21

Although Dr. Doran states this as if it were undoubtedly accurate, it is not certain that it is so. It is only one of several stories to account for Quin's requiring to earn a living on the stage.

22

I can find no authority for this. He made his first appearance as Hotspur on 7th January 1718. He played Benducar on 26th September 1718.

23

He did not play Falstaff until 1720-21.

24

Should be "next season." Ryan's accident and Hallam's death took place in 1734-35; Mrs. Cibber's appearance in 1735-36.

25

Bond was not an actor, but apparently a distressed author. Davies expressly says that he was aged and infirm. It is scarcely correct to say that he died on the stage. He fainted on the stage and died the next morning.

26

Mrs. Cibber did not play Hermione. "The Distressed Mother" was played on 23d March 1736 for Theophilus Cibber's benefit, when Mrs. Cibber played Andromache. The Zara which Mrs. Porter acted was quite a different part from Aaron Hill's Zara, being the part in Congreve's "Mourning Bride."

27

I cannot trace that Mrs. Cibber ever played Jane Shore. Alicia was her part.

28

It was played five times.

29

Should be Quidam.

30

It is very questionable whether this farce was prohibited. There is nothing in the bills to show that it was; and the Biog. Dram., which says it was prohibited after having been played for some nights, is probably wrong. Fielding published "A Letter" to the Lord Chamberlain, on the subject of this farce; but the point of it is, why was "Miss Lucy" licensed, when less objectionable matter was condemned?

31

Dr. Doran must refer to Brooke, who made £1000 by publishing "Gustavus Vasa." Paterson, I think, was not likely to be equally lucky.

32

Macklin played Roxana on 17th May, 1738; Shylock on 14th February, 1741.

33

"Miss Lucy in Town" was produced at Drury Lane this season.

34

Verbruggen died before Betterton.

35

Should be on the 26th.

36

Davies and Murphy both give the name as "Lyddal."

37

Lyddal.

38

Should read: – "Millamour, created by him in Fielding's 'Wedding Day,' Lothario, Wildair."

39

This list is very inaccurate. It is obviously taken from Genest, iv. 38, but Dr. Doran has mistaken the meaning of Genest's list, which includes only those nights for which the bill is not given in the text. The record should stand thus: – Hamlet, fifteen times; Richard and Bayes, fourteen; Archer, eleven; Lear, seven; Fondlewife and Hastings, five; Chamont, four; Plume, five; Clodio, four; Pierre, three; Abel Drugger, four or five times, it cannot be decided which. Then the Schoolboy must be added to the list of occasional characters; and it should be noted that there are no bills for April 1st, 2nd, and 3rd.

40

There is some obscurity about this date. Garrick's handbill in answer to Macklin's "case" says that the latter was published in order to prejudice him that night, and the bill is dated 5th December 1743; but, in succeeding advertisements, the disturbance is alluded to as "Tuesday night's" riot. Now Tuesday was certainly the 6th, not the 5th.

41

It is extremely improbable that Foote was the unnamed "Gentleman" who played Hamlet on this occasion.

42

Cashell's Hamlet was a personal eccentricity on his benefit night; not an attempt on the part of the theatre to oppose Garrick.

43

Very doubtful. The statement rests on Victor's authority.

44

Faulconbridge and Iago seem also to have been new characters this season.

45

This refers to the new Smock Alley, 1735.

46

Should be, "Love Makes a Man."