10 January 1728
Event Information
Theatre:
Drury Lane Theatre
Theatrical Season:
1727-1728
Volume:
2
Comments:
[By Sir John Vanbrugh and Colley Cibber.] All the Characters new drest. Mist's 13 Jan.: On Wednesday last a most horrid, barbarous, and cruel Murder was committed...upon a posthumous Child of the late Sir John Vanbroog, by one who, for some Time past, has gone by the Name of Keyber. It was a fine Child born, and would certainly have lived long, had it not fallen into such cruel Hands. Davies (Dramatic Miscellanies, III, 260-61): In all the tumults and isturbances of the theatre on the first night of a new play, which was formerly a time of more dangerous service, to the actors, than it has been of late, Mrs Oldfield was entirely mistress of herself; she thought it her duty, amidst the most violent opposition and uproar, to exert the utmost of her abilities to serve the author. In the comedy of uproar, to exert the utmost of her abilities to serve the author. In the comedy of the Provoked Husband, Cibber's enemies tried all their power to get the play condemned. The reconciliation scene wrought so effectually upon the sensible and generous part of the audience, that the conclusion was greatly and generously approved. Amidst a thousand applauses, Mrs Oldfield came forward to speak the epilogue; but when she had pronounced the first line,-Methinks I hear some powder'd critic say-a man, of no distinguished appearance, from the seat next to tne orchestra, saluted her with a hiss. She fixed her eye upon him immediately, made a very short pause, and spoke the words poor creature! loud enough to be heard by the audience, with such a look of mingled scorn, pit, and contempt, that the most uncommon applause justified her conduct in this particular, and the poor reptile sunk down with fear and trembling. See also Cibber, Apology, I, 310-11; Victor, History of the Theatres, II, 105
Performance List
Mainpiece
Comments:
Edition of 1728 lists: Lord Townly-Wilks; Lady Townly-Mrs Oldfield; Lady Grace-Mrs Porter; Manly-Mills; Sir Francis Wronghead-Cibber; Lady Wronghead-Mrs Thurmond; Squire Richard-Young Wetherilt; Jenny-Mrs Cibber; John Moody-Miller; Count Basset-Bridgwater; Mrs Motherly-Mrs Moore; Myrtilla-Mrs Grace; Mrs Trusty-Mrs Mills; Prologue-Wilks; Epilogue-Mrs Oldfield.
Edition of 1728 lists: Lord Townly-Wilks; Lady Townly-Mrs Oldfield; Lady Grace-Mrs Porter; Manly-Mills; Sir Francis Wronghead-Cibber; Lady Wronghead-Mrs Thurmond; Squire Richard-Young Wetherilt; Jenny-Mrs Cibber; John Moody-Miller; Count Basset-Bridgwater; Mrs Motherly-Mrs Moore; Myrtilla-Mrs Grace; Mrs Trusty-Mrs Mills; Prologue-Wilks; Epilogue-Mrs Oldfield.
Cast:
- Role: Lord Townly Actor: Wilks
- Role: Lady Townly Actor: Mrs Oldfield
- Role: Lady Grace Actor: Mrs Porter
- Role: Manly Actor: Mills
- Role: Sir Francis Wronghead Actor: Cibber
- Role: Lady Wronghead Actor: Mrs Thurmond
- Role: Squire Richard Actor: Young Wetherilt
- Role: Jenny Actor: Mrs Cibber
- Role: John Moody Actor: Miller
- Role: Count Basset Actor: Bridgwater
- Role: Mrs Motherly Actor: Mrs Moore
- Role: Myrtilla Actor: Mrs Grace
- Role: Mrs Trusty Actor: Mrs Mills
- Role: Prologue Actor: Wilks
- Role: Epilogue Actor: Mrs Oldfield.