24 October 1768
Event Information
Theatre:
Covent Garden
Theatrical Season:
1768-1769
Volume:
4
Comments:
[The Young Gentleman who played Zaphna was Wroughton. "His real name was Rottan, but altered euphonia gratia. He was designed for a surgeon and served his apprenticeship at Bath. The following playbills show that he met with approbation on the stage. He remained with Covent Garden from this time till the end of the season 1785-86. He then played in Ireland one Winter, and was engag'd at Drury Lane Theatre in the beginning of the season 1787-88. This was the occasion of Mr Wroughton's leaving Covent Garden, I mean it was thus conjectured. Mr Lewis had been appointed manager of that theatre for Mr Harris. Mr Lewis and Mr Wroughton lived next door neighbors in Broad Court at the top of Bow Street, and were sworn friends:--they laughed together, lived together--In the season 1784-85 two new performers Mr Holman and Mr Pope, appeared on the Covent Garden Stage--these young men were great favorites with Mr Harris; Mr Holman, attracting at this time very crowded audiences, stood so particularly high in his regard, that his partiality made him guilty of some injustice to older and abler actors in the theatre. Mr Henderson had really cause to complain of neglect; and Mr Wroughton thought himself equally oppressed. At this time we had a Club and met every Wednesday fortnight during Lent at the Long Room in Hamstead at dinner. Our Club consisted of a certain number of us belonging indifferently to either theatre, and two or three other gentlemen who were not actors. Mr King, Mr Quick, Mr Farren, Mr Mattocks, myself, etc., etc. When the bottle had a little warmed Mr Wroughton he threw out some sarcasms on his Friend Mr Lewis's management; Mr Lewis retorted; Their tempers grew hot, their words grew aggravating; Mr Wroughton struck Mr Lewis; Mr Lewis returned the blow. They were parted; all the pleasures of the day were over, and the Club broke up in confusion. I was not present this day, but have related what Mr Siddons told me of this Quarrel, and I imagine that Mr Wroughton's attack on Mr Lewis sprang from a suspicion that he was too willing to execute Mr Harris's designs in favour of Mr Holman. Be this as it may, Mr Wroughton was discharged from cg at the expiration of his Articles with Mr Harris."--Hopkins MS Notes.] Receipts: #186 3s. (Account Book)
Performance List
Mainpiece
Title:
Mahomet
Comments:
Alcanor-Powell; Mahomet-Bensley; Pharon-Hull; Zaphna-a Young Gentleman being his 1st appearance; Mirvan-Perry; Ali-Davis; Palmira-Mrs Yates.
Alcanor-Powell; Mahomet-Bensley; Pharon-Hull; Zaphna-a Young Gentleman being his 1st appearance; Mirvan-Perry; Ali-Davis; Palmira-Mrs Yates.
Afterpiece
Title:
Harlequin Dr Faustus
Comments:
Harlequin-Miles; Infernal Spirit-Legg; Shade of Helen-Mrs Baker; Furies-Fishar; Sir Epicure Relish-Wignell; Miller-Banks; Gambler-Quick; Faust's Man-Morgan; Miller's Wife-Miss Twist; Lady Relish-Mrs Dyer; The Dances-Arnauld, Miss Valois.
Harlequin-Miles; Infernal Spirit-Legg; Shade of Helen-Mrs Baker; Furies-Fishar; Sir Epicure Relish-Wignell; Miller-Banks; Gambler-Quick; Faust's Man-Morgan; Miller's Wife-Miss Twist; Lady Relish-Mrs Dyer; The Dances-Arnauld, Miss Valois.
Cast:
- Role: Harlequin Actor: Miles
- Role: Infernal Spirit Actor: Legg
- Role: Shade of Helen Actor: Mrs Baker
- Role: Furies Actor: Fishar
- Role: Sir Epicure Relish Actor: Wignell
- Role: Miller Actor: Banks
- Role: Gambler Actor: Quick
- Role: Faust's Man Actor: Morgan
- Role: Miller's Wife Actor: Miss Twist
- Role: Lady Relish Actor: Mrs Dyer
- Role: The Dances Actor: Arnauld, Miss Valois.