13 May 1776
Event Information
Theatre:
Drury Lane Theatre
Theatrical Season:
1775-1776
Volume:
4
Comments:
The People flock'd about the doors by Two o'clock. there never was a greater Overflow-Mr G. was never happier in Lear -the Applause was beyond description 3 or 4 loud Claps Succeeding one another at all his exits and many Cry'd out Garrick for Ever &c., &c. House (Hopkins Diary). [Kemble's note differs slightly.] Paid Mr Short, Chorus Singer #1 10s. (Treasurer's Book). Hannah More wrote to Mrs Gwatkin: The eagerness of the people to see Garrick is beyond anything you can have an idea of. You will see half a dozen duchesses and countesses a night in the upper boxes: for the fear of not seeing him at all, has humbled those who used to go, not for the purpose of seeing but being seen; and they now courtsy to the ground for the worst places in the house" (Hampden, Journal). [Letter to David Garrick, Esq on his appearance in Lear last night 13 May: The correspondent who signs himself Stock Fish and who claims to have been one of the survivors of the Black Hole of Calcutta, and who took a young lady from the country to see Garrick's last performance, blames him for endangering the lives of his majesties subjects for not providing proper bars, lanes, and queue lines to handle the crowds: "I went with intention to get into the Pit as the most eligible Part of the House (for your Boxes are always engag'd) and we got to the Door in Vinegaryard about five o'clock. Here the Passage to the first Door was too full for me to entertain any Hopes of getting in that Way, we therefore made for Catharine-street but the Multitudes of People waiting for the Opening of the Gallery-doors, rendered it impossible for us to get along through the Court; we therefore made a Circuit, and at length arrived opposite the Door in Catharine-street, where it was with Difficulty we could keep our Stands on a Foot Pavement....You will be absolutely inexcusable, if after this Warning you neglect to adopt some Method for the Security of the Lives of his Majesties Subjects on similar Occasions.--What think you of the following Scheme, viz. To keep the outer Doors next the Street shut, till the inner ones are opened ; and then, by a Proper bar, to prevent more than one at a Time entering, who shall there pay Entrance-money, and receive the Tickets of Admission through the inner Doors' (Public Advertiser 18 May).] Receipts: #308 1s. (Treasurer's Book)
Performance List
Mainpiece
Title:
King Lear
Comments:
Lear-Garrick; Edgar-Reddish; Bastard-Palmer; Kent-Bransby; Gloster-J. Aickin; Albany-Packer; Burgundy-Norris; Captain of Guards-Whitfield; Gentleman Usher-Burton; Cornwall-Hurst; Curan-Fawcett; Goneril-Miss Sherry; Regan-Mrs Hopkins; Arante-Miss Platt; Cordelia-Miss Younge.
Lear-Garrick; Edgar-Reddish; Bastard-Palmer; Kent-Bransby; Gloster-J. Aickin; Albany-Packer; Burgundy-Norris; Captain of Guards-Whitfield; Gentleman Usher-Burton; Cornwall-Hurst; Curan-Fawcett; Goneril-Miss Sherry; Regan-Mrs Hopkins; Arante-Miss Platt; Cordelia-Miss Younge.
Cast:
- Role: Lear Actor: Garrick
- Role: Edgar Actor: Reddish
- Role: Bastard Actor: Palmer
- Role: Kent Actor: Bransby
- Role: Gloster Actor: J. Aickin
- Role: Albany Actor: Packer
- Role: Burgundy Actor: Norris
- Role: Captain of Guards Actor: Whitfield
- Role: Gentleman Usher Actor: Burton
- Role: Cornwall Actor: Hurst
- Role: Curan Actor: Fawcett
- Role: Goneril Actor: Miss Sherry
- Role: Regan Actor: Mrs Hopkins
- Role: Arante Actor: Miss Platt
- Role: Cordelia Actor: Miss Younge.
Afterpiece
Title:
The Spleen
Comments:
As17760411 but Prologue-_; Epilogue-_.
As17760411 but Prologue-_; Epilogue-_.
Cast:
- Role: Merton Actor: Brereton.
- Role: Rubrick Actor: King
- Role: Jack Rubrick Actor: Palmer
- Role: Machoof Actor: Moody
- Role: Aspin Actor: Baddeley
- Role: Merton's Servant Actor: Lamash
- Role: Clerk Actor: Whitfield
- Role: Folio Actor: Wrighten
- Role: D'Oyley Actor: Parsons
- Role: Servt? Actor: Everard
- Role: Mrs Rubrick Actor: Mrs Hopkins
- Role: Eliza Actor: Miss P. Hopkins
- Role: Maid Actor: Mrs Davies
- Role: Mrs Tabitha Actor: Mrs Love
- Role: Laetitia Actor: Mrs King